As complex as a project may appear to be, it’s different stage can be tied to a budget in a timeline. In this way both parts, design studio and client, are able to get what they want and decide to continue together (or not) after every step.
Every project starts with a first meeting where clients explain what they need, in return we write a brief to describe how we understand and conceive the project. Only when this brief is approved, we can go into the quote + workflow proposal.
Depending on how big the project is, time frame may change and instances deleted until the client accepts and makes the initial payment.
Technically speaking, the project starts with this payment, but all the previous meetings and proposals are part of the project too. In some cases, we treat this instance as consultancy. Especially when someone needs to put ideas together with the information we provide.
There are two big instances in every design project, the one related to creative proposal and the one related to execution or production. Each area can be split into sub stages as well.
A typical scheme may include 3 stages as follow:
Brief
Budget and preliminary workflow
Payment 1
Creative Proposal > acceptance and final workflow
Preliminary sketches
Adjustments over selected idea
Final presentation
Final adjustments
Payment 2
Production
Apply design to multiple instances.
Corrections.
implementation
Originals – Design Product.
Payment 3
Supervision
Brief: it may be provided by the client or not. After we meet we send our brief. If we receive one, we usually add comments or relevant data. The purpose is to be sure we all understand the same thing.
Estimate and preliminary workflow. Because items may be added or deleted from the project, this workflow usually changes later, but it gives an initial time frame.
Creative proposal, describes all the features and enumerates the pieces of our project.
What comes next is a funnel that refines the proposal until we have client approval. After this point we go into production stage, an instance where minor corrections can be expected occasionally, major changes belong to the creative stage. If they happen, we consider them extra work, and will charge for them accordingly. So if you intend to change things the moment is before production.
Production
This is the factory of our design. We put all together before it is ready to go live.
Originals are the deliverable subject. With them someone is able to replicate or consume/use the project.
Supervision: depending on the project, it may include a period of time for questions or minor adjustments (websites – apps), third party supervision (print – large format install) or other (tutorials – advert delivery – posting).
We usually walk together all the way, but some situations demand a Design Studio just in: Consultancy > if you are evaluating multiple projects and will decide their viability.
Creative proposal > Ask two or more studios pick the one that meets your needs better.
Production > You need to apply a license or translate and change content only.
If you have a project and are thinking about what to do, if you started one and need to produce the originals, if you like what we think and perceive we can work together, leave us a message.