Every project is just as different as every client, but here’s the basic design process:
Request a Proposal. Go here and let me know what you’re thinking about. The more details you can give me about your project, the better.
Schedule a first date. We’ll talk and figure out how we can be strategic about your new design. This is the consultation portion of the process…our first chance to collaborate. Don’t worry about getting anything ready for this meeting. You just need to show up. We can meet on the phone, via Skype or over coffee if you’re close by. After this meeting, I’ll send you your proposal. As soon as you approve it, I’ll send you an invoice for your initial payment.
Breathe easy. Now that we know where we’re going, I’ll spend a day or three setting the path to get us there. I’ll email you the letter of agreement, the creative brief for your design and your handy dandy project timeline.
Handy Dandy Project Timeline. This is our road map for your project. It’s critical that we both understand what we’re expect to do and when. The timeline includes tasks and milestones for both of us along the way.
Watch your milestones. Every design project is a collaboration. I wouldn’t even know where to begin without you! You’ll have a few tasks to complete along the way. I may need content, images, suggestions or feedback. Often, I won’t be able to move forward until I hear from you. So, your timely response is critical to the success of the project. Don’t worry though, I’ll work with you to develop the timeline at a pace that allows you to complete your milestones and still get your real work done.
That’s it for logos and print design.
For websites, there are a few more steps…
Loads of Collaboration. We’ll be in touch throughout the design process. Depending on your project, we may work together to develop a site outline, custom images, a site wireframe, a mood board and content. Don’t worry if you don’t know what any of that is. It’s my job to walk you through it. This is the most crucial time for great communication!
Launch day. This isn’t actually a to-do item. Most of the time it’s wonderfully anti-climatic. Everything goes according to plan including all of the great feedback you’ll get from clients & friends about your awesome new site. Your job on launch day: Be within contact range on that day. Then relax, watch & let me know if you have any hiccups so I can fix them right away.
Get familiar with your back end. The administration side of your website is often called the “back end”. Your back end is WordPress (that’s the content management system or CMS). It’s fairly simple to use the WordPress administrative tools, but you may have a few questions or your site might have added functionality that adds complexity. Before Launch Day, I’ll show you how to log into your Dashboard. An hour of post-launch training is included with your site design package. You can use it however you like (one-on-one or as a group training). To get the most out of that time, I recommend you spend the first week or two after Launch Day gathering questions. When you think we can fill an hour, drop me an email and we’ll set up a time for your training. Again, we can meet on the phone, via Skype or, if you’re close, in person.