The process – How I work
The process - How I work
Discovery & brief
So you would like to know how I work?
We can arrange a discovery meeting to discuss:
- your project ambition
- the pains we are solving
- the desired outcome
- the budget
- third parties & stakeholders involved
My briefing document will ask about business, marketing and brand needs. I want to learn about your background, competition, website and brand guidelines as they will inform how I work your illustrations into your marketing materials.
The costs
I have years of experience in a media agency and know approximately how much a project will cost as I have rigorously kept hours for all my projects. Often I agree to a fixed price, sometimes I work under 'T&M' (Times and materials) at an hourly rate. I also charge 10% for project management.
I will create a quote and once you accept this, I will issue a 50% commissioning invoice. We then have a final invoice after sign-off and delivery of artwork. Please note that I am VAT registered.
How long will it take
I can usually fit in a single illustration within a week. My schedule is busy but I can always shift things around.
- A long, intricate illustration takes 4-5 hrs
- A short illustration/ icon takes 0.5 - 1 hr
- A set of 10 clever metaphorical icons takes 6 hrs
Ideas and mood board
The first creative phase will be an online ideas mood board with sketches, images, colours, type and ideas you brought to me.
This stage is important as you may not know where your brand or story is going. This is personal; we may need a little bit of time. You may also be working with other brand designers.
From the digital mood board, we will choose a direction and work the artwork towards the final product. I will always show the artwork in situ, for example on a website, in a poster.
We will define the proportions and size.
I create assets on layers so you can easily use these separately on other marketing materials. Remember though, design is an integrated process and it matters what surroundings you set your illustrations in as this may change the overall message.
The images are vector and will have a transparent background. You can blow them up to the size of an elephant!
We can make changes easily, as I can create versions and change the order of image layers.
Change of direction
If you have a change of heart, we create a change control (if we had arranged a fixed price), but only if the direction takes us somewhere completely different. I will have allocated a certain amount of hours to the project; by the time we arrive at 3/4 of the hours, I will ask you how you would like to use the remainder of the hours.
Testing
We must ensure you have a little time to live with your new illustrations.
Project management and timeline, comms
I have a work schedule and I will ask you for deadlines and other third-party influences on the project, such as stakeholder and sign-off authorities. I will manage the project to ensure we meet the deliverables, the budget and the timelines.
At the start, I will ask you to supply all resources such as logos, colour palettes and images. I am happy to work efficiently and I can also work to very tight deadlines.
We can communicate via email or use a project management tool like freedcamp or Slack.
I happy to meet with your clients, attend workshops and input in decision-making. As a Creative Director in a media agency, I am used to that process.
Useful to know?
- I work as a UX / UI web designer so I can advise on audience, engagement, marketing, online presence, branding and storytelling.
- I work closely with my collab hub, logo designers, print designers, photographers, content creators, web builders etc, people whom I respect.
- Licences: Of course, I have the right to ask for a license if you want to use your illustrations on merchandise and in publishing. Most of the time I can keep things simple.
Sign off
The sign-off brings a project to an end and identifies the next steps. If there are any significant changes after the sing-off, we will simply create a change control.
Delivery
I will create a folder of assets and final artwork, RGB for the web and CMYK for print as requested by your printers or designers. These are always available here at no extra charge, via wetransfer or on a Google Drive.
I am not a print designer, but I have some experience setting items for print. I can refer you to a print designer.
Our work relationship
I value relationships and I thrive in adding value to your business. I can create a defined project with you; in an ideal situation, we establish a continuous relationship. I have an office in Brighton, and you are always welcome for a coffee here.
I know that illustrations can be a luxury item, but they can tell your brand story in a personal way, bring content to life and add a pinch of humour to your presentation. I may ask you for a testimonial and possibly even permission to create a case study on my website, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Looking forward to starting a new project.