Cogs & Springs

A Design Methodology

1.            Preparation & Research
2.            Briefing
3.            Concept creation
4.            Presentation
5.            Refinement
6.            Design execution
7.            Sign-off
8.            Pre-press
9.            Project delivery
10.          Effectiveness measuring
11.          Appraisal & discussion

1.0: Preparation, Research

Preparation

–  Assign project job number
–  Assess budget with cost benefit analysis
–  Understand time frames and set schedule

Research & Insights

–  Determine if any research is needed and the depth of knowledge required
–  Research report generated and discussed
-  Gather consumer and/or business insights 

Stage 2.0: Briefing

Define brief

–  Set communication objectives
–  Listen & understand product/service and brand
–  Provide and explain any relevant information to creative production team
–  Discuss visual & verbal expressionism.
–  Provide costings to Client project leader for approval

Stage 3.0: Concept creation

Define underlying unique theory

–  Address theory to audience profile and correlate with the intended usage of communication tool
–  Create colour visuals from information provided by client and the researched market sector knowledge base
–  Ensure communication objectives are being followed

Stage 4.0: Presentation

Open discussion

–  Meeting and presentation of concepts
–  Discuss issues and redefine details

Stage 5.0: Refinement

Honing of the design concept (Art direction)

–  Sharpen conceptual execution into a detailed format
–  Communication tool is given creative treatment and
refined appropriately as discussed at previous meeting
–  Commission creative elements for project
–  Redefine costings based on approved design concept.
–  Check that nothing has changed from the original brief which may effect costs
–  Provide Client with revised costing, break down and explain new costs, if necessary

Visual and verbal communication expressions

–  Ensure clarity of communication
–  Question every part of the communication, does it make sense, does the communication express itself and is the underlying theory still in place?
-  Does it make the right emotional connection for the brand? 

Stage 6.0: Design execution

Communication roll-out

–  Check content and communication process
–  Proof read thoroughly and check typography
–  Check all any photographs in detail for content
–  Provide Client project for approval

Stage 7.0: Sign-off

Sign off for reproduction

–  Design Director signs off and indicates satisfaction of design
–  Client signature to the final colour laser proofs allows the production and reprographics to commence and says you are satisfied that everything is correct

Stage 8.0: Pre-press

48 hour final checking process

–  Further proofs from this stage on are chargeable as authors corrections
–  Discuss and approve any new costs necessary once project has been re-evaluated with original design brief
–  Prepare design for production
–  Check all digital information is set up correctly and ready for release

Final proof read

–  Read content and understand what is being said
–  Re-draw files if special production is required
–  Check content integrity
–  Raise any issues with client
–  Release to client colour splits and colour mock-up
–  Release to producer contained in one project folder clearly annotated
– Check pre-launch digital integrity
–  Make sure client is completely satisfied with the proofs

Stage 9.0: Project delivery

Quality Assurance

–  Check batches of communication product and ensure highest quality is delivered to client

–  In the event the quality delivered is not acceptable by us then the project will be reproduced at the expense of the supplier

Stage 10.0 Effectiveness measuring

Post delivery research

– Research report and independent critique is produced
– Where possible financial & emotional response will be measured
– Quantitative data is collected and response measured for client assessment
–  Qualitative data is collected by workshops, forums and tele-research. This is measured for client assessment

Stage 11.0: Appraisal & discussion

Appraisal

–  Any issues during the project are raised by both parties to help create a tailored methodology that will allow for future time efficient project management.

Discussion

–  Ways forward are discussed and any administration issues with formats of estimating and/or invoicing are discussed, agreed and resolved.