It is not unusual for us to deal with clients who have not worked with designers previously and in any case methods do vary between designers. Following is a general outline of our project management procedure:

1 Clarify objectives
Determine what is required in terms of deliverables and other benefits. This will be done by discussion with the client.

2 Gather information/prepare brief
To enable design work to proceed, questions need to be asked and information supplied. This will be organised in the form of a brief, which may take 2 stages ‘Outline’ and ‘Final’, in order to help clarify the requirements. An outline brief gives both client and designer an opportunity to begin to understand the project requirements and predict cost before doing further work to detail both. An Outline brief will be accompanied by a Preliminary Estimate. A Final brief will come with a Final Estimate.

3 Prepare Estimate
Estimates (preliminary or final) will be based on the brief (outline or final). Where a project is small or budget limited, brief and estimate may be combined.

4 Prepare Timetable
This is a very necessary stage which not only identifies the planned completion date but enables the client and others to see what and when their particular involvement will be.

5 Preparation/collection of materials
Preparation and gathering of all information including photography/supply of photographs, copywriting/supply of copy, sufficient to enable design to proceed.

6 Concept design and design development
With requirements, costings and timetable agreed and all information and materials collected together, design work can begin. Depending on the nature of the project, we would supply up to 3 concept ideas for clients’ comment and discussion. One of these would be developed and agreed before moving on to the next stage.

7 Artwork and web page building
Following agreement on design concept, the artwork for print projects or web page building can proceed.

8 Evaluation, modification and approval
This stage involves presentation of the completed work to the client for evaluation and comment. Any final revisions will be carried out prior to final client approval.

9 Print or upload
At this final stage, artwork will go to the printers for printing, websites will be uploaded and any associated work completed.