Streamline Your Design Workflow (Ep. 5) | Foundations of Graphic Design | Adobe Creative Cloud
TLDRThis episode of 'Foundations of Graphic Design' focuses on the next steps after the discovery and concept exploration phase of a project. Initially, designers present low-fidelity, sketch-like concepts to clients to ensure they're on the right track. Once a direction is approved, they refine the concept into two or three high-resolution designs, potentially showcasing them in a product mockup. The debate on the number of design choices to offer clients is addressed, with a suggestion of presenting three options: two safer options and one more adventurous one. An alternative approach is to present one main concept with a backup or two. The importance of keeping clients involved throughout the design process to avoid surprises is emphasized. As the project progresses, designers must prepare for numerous revisions and develop effective naming conventions for project files. The final stage involves saving files in agreed-upon formats and potentially creating a style guide for the client. The episode concludes with advice on billing arrangements and the importance of organizing and transferring files to the client via cloud services.
Takeaways
- 🎨 **Show Quick Concepts**: Present low-resolution or low-fidelity designs to the client to ensure you're on the right track.
- 📈 **Client Approval**: Once the client approves a direction, refine the concept into high-resolution designs that are close to the final look.
- 🏢 **Product Mockup**: Consider showing high-res designs in a product mockup, such as packaging or signage, to give a realistic view.
- 🚫 **Avoid Overwhelming Choices**: Limit design options to prevent clients from nitpicking and experiencing analysis paralysis.
- 🔍 **Clear Direction**: Involve the client in the design journey to ensure the final design is not a surprise and aligns with the agreed direction.
- 📝 **Standard Options**: Present about three design options: two safer options and one more adventurous one.
- 🤔 **Alternative Approach**: Sometimes, present one main concept with a backup or two in case the client prefers a different direction.
- 📂 **Naming Conventions**: Use version numbers and dates for naming project files to organize and locate assets efficiently.
- 🕵️♂️ **Revisions**: Prepare for multiple rounds of revisions and maintain clear naming conventions for different versions.
- 📁 **Final Deliverables**: Save and hand off files in agreed sizes, colors, and formats, and consider creating a style guide for the client.
- 💼 **Billing and Completion**: Decide on billing arrangements and handle the project's financial aspects, adjusting as you gain more client experience.
Q & A
What is the purpose of showing low-res or low fidelity designs to the client initially?
-The purpose of showing low-res or low fidelity designs to the client initially is to ensure that the design is moving in the right direction without investing too much time in high-resolution details. It's akin to presenting sketches to validate the concept before moving on to more refined designs.
How many high-res designs are typically created after the client approves the direction?
-Typically, two or three high-res designs are created after the client approves the direction. These designs are more fleshed out and close to the final look of the project.
Can you explain the concept of presenting design choices to clients and the potential issues with offering too many options?
-Presenting design choices to clients is about giving them options to consider. However, offering too many options can lead to clients nitpicking parts of each design or experiencing analysis paralysis due to an overwhelming number of choices, which can detract from the overall goal of the design.
What is the accepted norm for the number of design options to present to a client?
-The accepted norm for design options to present to a client is about three. This usually includes two safer, on-target options and one more adventurous choice.
Why is it important to involve the client in the entire design journey?
-Involving the client in the entire design journey helps ensure that the final design choices are not a shock to them, as they have been part of the process and the direction has been clearly communicated from the start.
What is the significance of having a clear naming convention for project files and assets?
-Having a clear naming convention for project files and assets is crucial for organization and ease of access. It helps designers and clients easily find and identify specific versions or iterations of the work, preventing frustration and potential loss of work.
What does the term 'final final' refer to in the context of revisions?
-The term 'final final' humorously refers to the numerous versions of a design that a designer may have to create during the revision process. It highlights the iterative nature of design work and the need for clear naming conventions.
Why might a designer choose to present only one main concept to the client?
-A designer might choose to present only one main concept to the client to streamline the decision-making process and avoid overwhelming the client with too many choices. Having a secondary concept ready allows for flexibility if the client does not approve the initial presentation.
What is the role of a style guide in the handoff process to the client?
-A style guide serves as a handoff document that lists the fonts used, colors, and other design elements. It is useful for the client when they need to create new materials or make changes in the future, as it shows how the design elements should be applied consistently.
How does a designer manage the billing process for a project, especially when it spans several months?
-Designers manage the billing process by agreeing on a billing arrangement with the client, which could involve billing the entire project upfront or in stages. This helps in managing cash flow and ensuring that the designer is compensated appropriately for the work completed over time.
What is the importance of uploading the final project files to a cloud service for transfer to the client?
-Uploading the final project files to a cloud service for transfer to the client ensures that the files are securely stored, easily accessible, and can be shared efficiently. It also provides a platform for collaboration and version control.
Outlines
🎨 Design Presentation and Client Approval
This paragraph discusses the process of presenting design concepts to a client after the discovery and concept exploration phase. Initially, designers should present low-resolution or 'sketch-like' ideas to ensure they are on the right track. Once the client approves a direction, the designer can refine the concept and create two or three high-resolution designs, which are close to the final look and may be showcased in a product mockup. The paragraph also addresses the question of how many design choices to offer clients, suggesting that providing too many options can lead to 'analysis paralysis.' Instead, it's recommended to present two safer options and one more adventurous one. Another approach is to present one main concept with a backup or two in case the client does not approve the initial concept. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of bringing the client along the design journey to avoid surprises and to facilitate smoother approval. Finally, it touches on the necessity of revisions and the importance of using clear naming conventions for project files to avoid confusion and frustration.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Design Workflow
💡Low-Fidelity Designs
💡High-Resolution Designs
💡Design Choices
💡Revisions
💡Naming Conventions
💡Style Guide
💡Cloud Service
💡Billing Arrangements
💡Concept Exploration
💡Project Mockup
Highlights
After concept exploration, present low-res or low fidelity designs to the client to ensure the right direction is being taken.
Once the client approves the direction, refine the concept and create two or three high-res designs that are close to the final look.
Consider showing high-res designs in a product mockup to give the client a better idea of the final product.
Avoid presenting too many design choices to the client, as it can lead to analysis paralysis and nitpicking.
Ideally, the client should be involved in the entire design journey to prevent surprises in the final presentation.
The accepted norm for design options is about three: two safer options and one more adventurous one.
An alternative approach is to present one main concept with a backup or two in case the client doesn't approve the initial one.
Revisions are expected, so prepare to make multiple versions of the assets with clear naming conventions.
Use version numbers and/or dates in naming project files to aid in organization and retrieval.
Poor naming conventions can lead to frustration and difficulty in locating necessary files.
After revisions, save the final files in all agreed upon sizes, colors, and formats.
Creating a style guide can be beneficial for the client, especially for future modifications or new creations.
A style guide should include details like fonts used and color schemes for consistent application.
Organize and upload all project files to a cloud service for easy transfer to the client.
Consider the billing arrangement and whether to bill the entire project at once or in stages.
Billing on a lump sum can be challenging, especially for projects that span several months.
After billing, allow time for the client to review and make payments.
Engage in exercises to practice and refine production tasks related to project creation and refinement.