The Design Process
Initial Consultation
The first step is to establish a meeting where we can get to know you and learn what your objectives are. This is a free consulation after which we will provide you an outline of suggestions to achieve the particular results you seek, and a cost estimate for any services we may provide. The modern convenience of teleconferencing and web meetings serve as very effective tools for supporting our clients throughout the course of the project, but in our mission to provide quality ‘people oriented’ service, we believe its optimal to meet in person for the initial consultation. If possible, its most ideal to meet at your place of business where we can see and learn first-hand who you are, where you are in the growth of your business, and how you’ve established your identity in the marketplace. This knowledge will help us best serve your needs when we conclude the meeting with as clear an understanding of your objectives as possible.
Scope of Project and Quote
Establishing the ‘scope of the project’ is essential to providing you the best results for the least investment. The more we understand up front, the clearer we can be on the terms and market value of the project. This means the larger the project, the more planning it will take. The scope of a small project may be fully understood by the end of the initial meeting, but larger projects may require additional meetings. At this point in the planning process we will bill you for this consultation in addition to the estimate for the entire scope of the project. Once the scope of the project is clearly established we will provide an itemizede quote, with a strategic plan and timelines for development.
Contributing factors that determine the scope of the project and timeline:
- print materials are typically generated faster than developing a web site
- are you seeking a new web site or a rebuild/upgrade?
- what functionality will your web site provide the end user or customer?
- content development & branding: how developed is your business and identity?
Terms and Agreement
Once we’ve determined the objectives, timeframes, and value of the project, we will establish the terms of our working relationship. This is typically a written contract stating that both parties understand their respective responsibilites to the successful completion of the project. On occassion, the scope of a project may change based upon your needs, your clients needs, unforeseen obstacles or new possibilities. A good contract provides contingincies and routine evaluation periods that foster the communication and creativity necessary to accommodate any emerging developments. The contract also addresses all legal obligations and responsibilities in respect to ‘best business practices’, and such concerns as copywright law, and intellectual property.
What you must provide
You must provide content. Quality content begins with a product or service that is of value to the market place. But content is more than a simple product. Content educates the public about the true value inherant in a product or service, and the people behind it. How do you educate people? You tell them, and you show them what you have to offer. This simply means you use words and pictures to get your point across, but you want to use words and pictures that appeal to your audience.
Perhaps you are early in the life-cycle of your business, and you haven’t yet established a clear identity or brand. Providing quality content simply means that you as a business person must know your value and be able to tell your story. There are plenty of copywriters, photographers, illustrators and designers, that will be happy to wrap it up and put a bow on it for you, but without your knowledge and investment you’ll just end up with an empty box, and perhaps an expensive one at that.
Content and the Web
On the world wide web content is king. It is truly the name of the game. The web is a world of educated consumers willing to do the research necessary to find what they want, and, as the saying go’s, “You can find anything on the web”. The question is how do they find you? The higher the quality of your content, and the more you provide, the easier you will address that holy grail of all web concerns, “How do i get my website higher on Google?” Then, once you’ve put yourself out there, and they’ve found you, what do you want them to think? More importantly, what do you want them to do? Well delivered content is the difference between success and failure on the web.
At Blink New Media we can help with all of your print, web, and identity needs. Whether you are seeking a logo design, promotional materials, a web site, or a comprehensive branding strategy, we have have the skillset to meet your objectives.
