What to expect when working with me.
When choosing a designer to work with, it is important to find someone that fits well with you, how you work and your business. It is useful to know what to expect from the design process.
I work in a friendly, approachable, open, collaborative way. I will work with you to understand your requirements. If you’re not sure where to start or what exactly it is that you need, that’s ok. Feel free to get in touch and we can talk through your thoughts together and find an approach that works. Come with an open mind and be prepared to get curious about your business and your audience.
Here is an overview of what to expect when working with me:
Saying hi.
First things first, we need to meet! To kick off any project, we will meet (in real-life or virtually) to discuss the project scope, company background, your expectations and requirements. This is also a chance for you to ask me any questions you might have and find out if I am a good fit for your project.
Questions I will ask you.
When we first meet, I will ask you a few questions to help me understand you, your business and your design requirements better. Including questions like:
Tell me about your business
What is your company mission?
What are your USPs? What are your company’s strengths?
Who is your target market? Who is your ideal customer?
Who are your main competitors? What do you like or dislike about what they are doing?
Do you have any existing branding or marketing materials? If so, what do you like or dislike about them?
What assets do you already have for the project (existing photography, copywriting, logos etc) that need to be included?
What design style(s) do you like? Do you have any style references that you can show me?
What goals are you trying to achieve with this project?
What are your expectations for this project?
What deliverables must the project include?
Will you require any extra services (such as copywriting, printing, web development)? What is the project scope?
Where will you use the design?
Does it need to be editable?
What files and formats do you need?
What is your budget?
How soon do you need it?
Setting out the design brief.
Once I have asked you all of those questions, I will have a better idea of the brief and what design problem needs solving. I will put together a document outlining the brief and check in with you to make sure that we are both happy to go ahead on this basis.
Research.
Research is a huge part of my process, always has been, always will be. It’s how I find out how your business fits within your sector, how it stands out, what you do, how you do it, how to reach your target audience. It’s how I spot opportunities and how those ideas start flowing.
Collect design assets.
Before I can start, I will ask you to send over any existing design assets (logos, photography, copy etc.) required for the project.
Putting together initial concepts.
Once I have researched my little socks off, I will take my thoughts, ideas and sketches and turn them into tangible, initial designs. Depending on the project, this may be a singular recommended approach, or I may present you with a range of ideas.
Presenting ideas.
This is a good time to check in with each other. In the good old days, we would do this face-to-face, perhaps in a coffee shop or a pub! Nowadays, a Zoom or phone call with have to do! A lot of thought will have gone into my designs, so it is important for me to present my ideas to you in person, rather than over email (where some things may get lost in translation). This is also your chance to feedback, point out anything I may have missed or steer the project in a different direction.
Sign off.
If you have given me any feedback, I will now set to work adjusting the work and putting together the final design. I will normally send you a draft file to approve, before I create the final files.
Receive final files.
Once everything is approved, I do a little happy dance and then get the final files ready to send over to you. Depending on the project, this might be a suite of logo files (.eps, .jpg, .png) ready for any possible use you might have. Or a high res, print ready PDF. We will discuss file requirements for each project.
Production.
Depending on the project, there might be another step after the design is finalised. Printing, for instance. You might have your own production suppliers in mind. If so, fab! I will work with you and them, to make sure your items are produced in the way we want. If you are looking for a supplier, I have worked with some brilliant people who I will be happy to recommend to you.
Start the next project!
Hopefully you enjoyed working with me so much you want to work with me on your next project! :)