At the first design meeting 1111 Responses

Last post: 1 year, 11 months ago | Thread started: Mar 3, 10, 1:32 a.m.

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• kushman

  A question for you graphic designers, web designers, video guys etc.

  What do you talk about when you sit down with your client for the first time and plan their project?

  I'm not talking about the 'easy lays' where you're working with other creatives or clients with a vision. I mean the small businesses - HR consultants, electricians, local school, used car company, engineers etc.

  I'm self taught, working in web design for about 5 years now and my meeting (usually) go something like this:

  * Business background (theirs not mine!)
  * Project objectives
  * Copy and photography (who is supplying what. Potential up-sell here.)
  * Project scope (budget already agreed is sometimes adjusted)
  * Target audience (this always falls on it's arse. 99% say T/A is 'everyone' or 'general public'!
  * Timescales
  * Probably some other things I cant think of right now.

  Mar 3, 10, 1:32 a.m. – Permalink

• GeorgesII

  * budget

  • For me, budget already agreed by this point– kushman1/5

    how is budget already agreed before the first meeting? fucking serious?– airey2/5

    Yes fucking serious. We have a lot of time wasters - 1st the sales guy lands the job and agrees rough scope. Then I have the design meeting.– kushman3/5

    So your meeting is more like the 2nd/3rd meeting to scope the project?– jamble4/5

    yes it is. Probably should have clarified what I meant by design meeting– kushman5/5

  

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  Dog-earMar 3, 10, 1:53 a.m. – Permalink

• airey

  usually:

  a: what's the project?
  b: when do you want it?
  c: any idea of a budget in mind?
  d: do you validate parking?

  • I prefer this approach.– jamble

  

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  Dog-earMar 3, 10, 2 a.m. – Permalink

• Terminal27

  Id make a big point about payment milestones, or how ever you like to be paid. If you don't talk about it sometimes people think that its not so important.

  

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  Dog-earMar 3, 10, 3:43 a.m. – Permalink

• elahon

  http://bonfx.com/72-questions-to…

  • Wow, got link.Ta elahon– kushman

  

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  Dog-earMar 3, 10, 3:46 a.m. – Permalink

• neue75_bold

  — Best practice examples, both relevant to their industry and ones outside of their industry, like, "we're not competing with Apple, but we love how their website"

  — Competitors

  — Project objectives can be really expanded upon

  — Messaging is pretty key, trying to determine their unique selling points is always difficult since no matter what industry or service these days it comes down to "price, speed and service"

  • "their website works/looks"– neue75_bold

  

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  Dog-earMar 3, 10, 3:49 a.m. – Permalink

• bored2death

  What's in it for me?

  • <– twokids

  

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  Dog-earMar 3, 10, 6:51 a.m. – Permalink

• vaxorcist

  - Who exactly has to approve what
  (are there any other decision makers involved?)

  - If I hear nothing useful about target market, I ask them to write short descriptions of 4 types of prospective customers, what they want, hate, love, fear,dream.... what really makes them buy,etc

  - I ask about other projects going on in the company... trying to get a feeling about culture... are they micromanagers, are they risk-averse, do they like big ideas, would they risk a few strikes in order to get a home run, or are they scared to make visible errors?

  • This sounds like good practical advice that would work. Thanks– kushman

  

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  Dog-earMar 3, 10, 8:52 a.m. – Permalink

• sebastianfrench

  figure out who's the boss or who has the final say. Make he/she happy!
  & Be nice to the account people
  Remember what u pay is what u get!

  

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  Dog-earMar 3, 10, 8:55 a.m. – Permalink

• vaxorcist

  Also.... listen to how they talk about time.... is "short schedule" meaning 3 weeks or 6 months, this varies by industry, but asking for specifics can save your butt...

  Are they tied to short market openings like 3 day trade shows, or are they long-term brand builders... do they have to beat a competitor to market?

  Is timing more important than anything else? This must be known....

  

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  Dog-earMar 3, 10, 8:57 a.m. – Permalink

• kushman

  Thanks for the comments. Vaxorcist your ace at this, obviously got plenty of real life experience.

  

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  Dog-earMar 3, 10, 2:29 p.m. – Permalink

• CALLES

  can i work at home in my underwear drinking beer? eating doritos?

  

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  Dog-earMar 3, 10, 2:32 p.m. – Permalink