How I Work, Part 1

Okay, so you’ve asked me to do some work for you. Great! Thanks! I am looking forward to it.

Now what?

First, we talk. We need to find out what you want, when you want it, and how you are going to use what I give you at the end of the project. We will talk a bit about what you like (design-wise), a bit about your enterprise or purpose and any other influences. I will talk about what I like (design-wise) and tell you how I work and how much I charge. Pretty simple stuff, really.

In essence, we are stating the ‘problem’, and then figuring out the path to a solution. If we don’t define the ‘problem’ well enough, then the solutions I try to find don’t fit.

So, a short checklist of things to talk about:
1) what do you want? A logo? A brochure? A website? Something else?
2) what is the timeline for completion? Tomorrow?
3) what are you going to do with the design at the end? Put it on a truck? Make a business card? Print it and mail it out? Usually knowing how the design is going to be used will be a factor in the design process, or influence how I deliver the final project to you.
4) what kind of design do you like? Do you have examples that inspire or influence you? Why do you like them?
5) what are the qualities of your business or purpose? Can you find three or four words that define your purpose or product? How do you want to be perceived by external people? How do you perceive yourself?

That seems like a lot of talking, but really, it isn’t so bad.

Next part: my end of the deal.