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Getting the Most Out of Your Client-Designer

Relationship

the questions to ask and a summary sheet to provide your designer for any project

By Brittany Mays of BMays.com

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You know what you want and if your designer could just borrow your brain for a second, life would be so much easier. I have found that although clients have a good idea of what they are looking for, sometimes it’s difficult to explain. Understanding your project will help you better articulate your thoughts to your designer and also help you know what is possible and what is not.

When you take on a project that requires a designer, do your research so you know what really goes into it. The different steps and approaches for different projects can usually be found on your designer’s website, but, if not, check out other designer’s websites to see their process. At least you will get an idea of what to expect.

Answer these questions below to get a better understanding of your project and your needs.

Step One: Understand Your Project

1. What exactly do I need done?

2. What is the purpose of this design? What do I hope it will accomplish for me?

3. What value will this project add to my overall business when it is completed?

4. Have I tried to do this before on my own? If so, how did it go?

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Step One: Understand Your Project

5. What is my hard deadline for the completion of this project?

6. Now, working backgrounds from the hard deadline and knowing my schedule, when would I need to start to see revision rounds? How much time would there need to be in between those rounds?

8. What colors do I want for this project?

9. What fonts need to be implemented for this project?

7. Do I have ALL of the content ready for this project (including text, images, links, and any other special elements)? If not, when will it be complete?

10. How will I provide this content to my designer? (Dropbox, Google Docs, Word Doc/Email, etc.)

11. Will this project need to be printed? If so, what are my print specifications (paper type/weight, type of finish, amount to be printed, cut, fold, etc.)

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It’s so important to look through your designer’s portfolio or just ask the hard questions. You want to know that you can trust him/her with your vision.

At the same time, it is important to remember who the expert is in your client-designer relationship. I’m not saying you should defer to your designer’s opinion no matter what, but I do think it is important to at least listen. Although you may know your audience better, you designer will have the right idea about what needs to happen.

Questions to ask your designer before the official hire

Step Two: Understand Your Designer

1. Do you have any examples of similar projects to mine?

2. Do you have an agreement or contract that explains expectations for both you, the designer, and me, the client?

3. What software will you use to produce the design?

4. What files will I walk away with?

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Step Two: Understand Your Designer

5. How many rounds of revisions do I get with this design?

6. What is your pricing structure for my type of project?

7. What is your general turnaround time for this type of project?

8. Are there any specific tasks you need me as the client to complete before we start the project?

Other research and notes about your designer:

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HELLO awesome designer

MY CONTACT INFORMATION

First and last name:

Email address:

Website:

Phone Number:

Mailing Address: Street:

City: State: Zip:

MY PROJECT SUMMARY

My project summed up in one sentence:

When and where I will use this: How will the design will benefit me and my audience:

My hard deadline for completion: My content is

100% Complete

50% Complete

I have a lot of work to do.

My budget for this project: Other notes or thoughts:

MY DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS

The colors I want are: The fonts I want are:

Choose 3 to 5 words or descriptive phrases that will describe your project when it is complete.

Depending on my specific project, write out a plan of what you need: