Story: Work process/flow

Every company has a workflow. The smart employee learns it quickly and drops off a company if they have the confidence to emulate a business. As business rules, an employee should not pull out a company’s client. It might mention in the initial contract. You need to replete consent from an employer.

I myself learned how to design, how to work with a client, how much a company charges etc, at the company. They had not established a system, more handcrafted service to each client. Anyway, learning is a benefit of a corporate job.

As a graphic designer, we like creation. Currently, you may provide custom design services to each client. I understand that each client needs a different solution. Even under this condition, we can develop a system.

I would like to gather the data from past projects and built a format.

How To Automate Creative Service Business

©The Futur

I can say that every job requires improvement somehow. It calls Kaizen in Toyota. The design job is not like car manufacturing, but we should develop a process for efficiency and productivity. As a result, we can save time and delivery more.

Initial response

A client contacts me through the website.

Hello! My name is Fedrick Lancer and i am a herbal tea seller, I
appreciate a good work, I need a graphic designer that can create a
logo for me. I believe you’re available to get this done? I will be
looking forward to your response

Best Regards
Fedrick

This is one of the spam mail which I received. I use this as an example. Normally, a client tells me what they need and ask an estimate in the inquiry. I usually cannot estimate. Because a client does not provide enough information about the project.

The good client who knows about business includes an introduction, project summary, schedule, business info, phone number, email, etc. You can require these on a website form. You can mention the budgets, minimum engaging rates. I look at it sometimes. It’s one idea.

Anyway, I have to respond to it.

Dear Client,

Thank you for reaching me out. I really appreciate this opportunity. I am wondering how did you find me/my service?

Before we decide to move forward together, I would like to send a rough estimate. For that, I need to know a little bit about you and your business. Please fill out below.

Project summary:
Client name:
Phone:
Email:
Linkedin Account:
Business name:
Website:
Social media:
Budget:
*You can fill out if the client mentions on the initial email.

Once again, thank you for your consideration. I am sincerely pleased if I could work with you.

I look forward to hearing from you shortly.

Best Regards,

I have more questions, but I don’t go deep at this phase. It makes the client feel overwhelming. If a client wants to work with you, they respond to above. A client normally does not tell me about the budget. That’s okay.

*I ask questions below flexibly. It depends on the client’s response.
– What’s the problem?
– Why you need a branding/website now?
– Who is your target audience, gender, age, job, hobby etc?
– Confirm the client’s expected deliverables.

Once I think that it’s a potential client, I send the design proposal. It has an introduction, discipline, process, case study, reference, service/price range, etc. The client can more understand about me.

Screening process

Once you received a reply, you make an estimate. I use Wave Accounting. I often need to set a price range, like a $1,500-$2,000. Because I don’t know exactly the scope of work. Even so, the designer has to figure it out. You will get used to it through a couple of experiences. Please don’t underestimate. It’s the only advice which I can do.

Research

You have to ask a client an upfront deposit, 50% as a business. It’s a measure that a client and you are ready to work.

Once I received it, I learn a client, business, industry and competitor. I have to ask what I need to know at the design development process.

What is your company’s MISSION?
ex) Google: Organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.
Facebook: Give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together.

What is your company’s VISION?
ex) Southwest Air: To become the world’s most loved, most flown, and most profitable airline.
IKEA: Create a better everyday life for many people.

What is your company’s CULTURE?
ex) Zappos:
– Deliver WOW Through Service
– Embrace and Drive Change
– Create Fun and A Little Weirdness
– Be Adventurous, Creative, and Open-Minded
– Pursue Growth and Learning
– Build Open and Honest Relationships With Communication
– Build a Positive Team and Family Spirit
– Do More With Less
– Be Passionate and Determined
– Be Humble

What is your company’s VALUES?
ex) Pick up 3-5:
– Dependability
– Reliability
– Loyalty
– Commitment
– Open-mindedness
– Consistency
– Honesty
– Efficiency
– Innovation
– Creativity
– Compassion
– Spirit of adventure
– Motivation
– Positivity
– Optimism
– Passion
– Respect
– Courage
– Kindness
– Environmentalism

Describe your company(brand) personality/character.
ex) Pick up 3-5:
– Accessible
– Approachable
– Energetic
– Friendly
– Gorgeous
– Honest
– Cooperative
– Unified
– Smart
– Collaborative
– Thoughtful
– Passionate
– Determined
– Detailed
– Resolute
– Surprising
– Bold
– Courageous
– Vivid
– Prudent
– Innovate
– Organic
– Loyal
– Authentic
– Sustainable
– Accountable
– Conscientious
– Sensible
– Resourceful
– Supportive

Tone and voice.
ex)
– Male or female
– High, middle or low
– Bold, friendly, natural or flat etc.
Dove: Empowering and uplifting
LaCroix Sparkling Water: Friendly yet informative
CloudSmartz: Professional and ambitious

Tagline if you have.
ex)
Nike: Just Do It.
Apple: Think Different.
McDonald’s: I’m Lovin’ It.

When we build a website, we have to characteristic/personalize your business. I would like to know your thought about [client]. The number shows the priority. The current texts are just an example.

If the product/service were human, what characteristic/personality has?
1. –
2. –
3. –
4. –
5. –

What are the values of the product/service?
1. –
2. –
3. –
4. –
5. –

What the user really needs? What the user’s the current problem?
1. –
2. –
3. –
4. –
5. –

– How the target audience choose your product/service?(user has so many choices in the city, or world)
1. –
2. –
3. –
4. –
5. –

What do you want a user to feel when they look at your brand identity/website?
1. –
2. –
3. –
4. –
5. –

salesforce: How to Create Brand Messaging that Resonates

Persona

©PlaybookUX

– Persona = profile, clarify your target user
– Navigate design and feature decision
– Marketing persona, targeting
– UX persona, think about goals, aspirations, motivations
– Focus on 1-2 personas
– Photo, name, short bio, quote(describe the motivation and typical behavior pattern), brand, behaviors, goals, pain points, personality/characteristics, motivations.

Usually business has a variety of the customer. Even so, if you set a target audience, it makes development easier. I don’t always make a document unless the client requires it. You can install a target audience image on the move-board.

Move Board

©The Futur Academy

A Stylescape “are the collection of highly curated images, designs, type, textures, and colors that help defined visual direction, but more importantly, will get you buy-in from your client before you design anything.” – Chris Do, Blind CEO

Medium: What Is and How To Use a Stylescape?

Wireframe

I agree with Ran’s idea. I would like to use a real copy for a headline and dummy copy for body copy. A client can understand/imagine more easily. Only this reason.

Prototype

I am a Sketch user since 2018. Before that, I hesitated to learn new software for a few years. I was thinking Ai is okay. However, Ai and Sketch are very different. The idea, Symbol, has changed my mind. You can pick up any software below, but I recommend learning at least one.

Software for prototype:
Sketch: The digital design toolkit
Figma: the collaborative interface design tool
Adobe XD: UI/UX design and collaboration tool

The image comes from below.
Unsplash: Beautiful Free Images & Pictures
Pexel: Free stock photos
Adobe Stock: Find the perfect stock asset for your next creative project

Conclusion: Advance investment

I organized my data after I watched the video. I don’t have to develop it from scratch. I am working as a graphic designer for a long time. Therefore, I had.

Even you are relatively new as a designer, knowing is better than nothing. If you realized to need it through a project, you will develop it someday. Keep updating your process!

Reference:

impact: Design Automation: 5 Ways to Automate Your Design in 2020
Shopify: Redesigning the Design Process – How to Work More Efficiently This Year
Webflow: 7 simple steps to the web design process