Kickoff
1 hour
Embedded Files
A quick note about payment...
A quick note about payment...
It's completely up to you how to sort out payment, but one method that works well with Active Design is to set a fixed down payment that will cover 1: the time and materials that go into the Kickoff meeting, and 2: the creation of the creative directions. This way if you figure out the relationship isn't a good fit, you can part ways after reviewing the creative directions being fully settled up.
Define the relationship first
Define the relationship first
The first and often biggest spot where a design project jumps off the rails is before it even starts. Why is the designer being hired and for what? For their art direction, industry experience, raw talent, or just their ability to jockey a piece of design software.
The other relationship to define is between what is being designed and the ultimate stakeholder. Is this a true "product," meaning the only opinion that matters is the target market? Or is this more of an "accessory," meaning if it doesn't reflect the tastes of the client, then it's wrong.
STEP 1
STEP 1
Define what role the designer is serving and how you are going to make decisions when you disagree.
Define what role the designer is serving and how you are going to make decisions when you disagree.
Systematically document everything
Systematically document everything
Kicking off creative conversations is already awkward, so having a map to follow helps you know what to talk about and when you're done. Here's what you should cover:
- Define each Asset that will be created and reviewed through the process
- Potential customers/visitors and any other stakeholders
- Business or industry visual requirements that are non-negotiable
- Product-level requirements like views, flows, etc
- Existing brand elements or standards that need to stay
- Examples of what the Client likes and what they don't like and why
STEP 2
STEP 2
Define the Assets that create the Scope and organize all Input about the business, customers, brand, inspiration and preferences.
Define the Assets that create the Scope and organize all Input about the business, customers, brand, inspiration and preferences.
Creative direction experimentation & constants
Creative direction experimentation & constants
Figuring out aesthetic, direction, and even if there's a creative fit between the Client and the Designer starts with an experiment. 3-5 Directions as the variable, and everything else held constant.
- Define what is going to demonstrate the Directions (sketches of logos, hifi mockups a webpage above the fold, etc)
- Document all the constants across the directions (like font, copy, nav items, colors, etc).
STEP 3
STEP 3
Choose the medium through which you'll pick a Direction and what should be held constant across each option.
Choose the medium through which you'll pick a Direction and what should be held constant across each option.
STEP 4
STEP 4
Designer summarizes the first round of Input from Step 2 and sends it to the Client who must respond by accepting or editing.
Designer summarizes the first round of Input from Step 2 and sends it to the Client who must respond by accepting or editing.
STEP 5
STEP 5
Designer creates the 3-5 different creative directions and schedules a call or meeting to review them.
Designer creates the 3-5 different creative directions and schedules a call or meeting to review them.
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