Design Strategy (pitch for work)
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- bklyndroobeki
Has anyone ever solicited a large scope of work for a client that you have a lengthy relationship with when the client has NOT put out an RFP for it?
I'm thinking of creating a doc for a client that they can take to Funders, Grantees, CEO's to justify the Design work that VERY MUCH NEEDS to be done within the organization, ...for funding.
Definitely want to put this doc together properly. I have a list of the work that needs to be done and what should be included, but just wanted to find out if this even makes sense to do or would I be wasting time?
What are the crucial things that I'd need to include? Is a year long strategic plan too long? I'd like to pitch tightening up their over all branding (they have a brand, but many designers' hands have been in the mix, and their printed docs are all over the place). Their business cards are awful, as are the collateral that were designed by a 1 person consultant firm.
When this particular Client comes to me with work, it's almost always an emergency. It would benefit me, consulting on something a bit more stable with an actual plan to put my focus on. Less stress for me and them bc a timeline will be in place. It may cost them less in the long run, ("emergencies" are kind of costly). IDK, thoughts...
- zarkonite0
I'm thinking someone's going to have to champion this internally, first I'd find who that person is going to be within the organisation and sit down with them to hatch out a plan that makes sense for them.
It's one thing to have an opinion about their business cards but you'll need solid arguments to motivate them to invest in their brand, seing as their past behaviour indicates they don't seem to value design very much. You might have to pitch them on the idea using other organisations that have seen tangible benefits from the kind of changes you're proposing.
- They value designs, I think they are just so busy that they aren't thinking about its impact on their org.bklyndroobeki
- zark, nice idea on using other orgs strategy to let them see how it would benefit them.bklyndroobeki
- You mentioned that their materials are all over the place, how come no one's doing something about that if they care about design? There might be an insightzarkonite
- there that makes this whole project make sense for them...zarkonite
- You're totally right.
I care (beyond $), which is why I'd like to step inbklyndroobeki
- monNom0
"When this particular Client comes to me with work, it's almost always an emergency" <-- that's a symptom of bad management, and a bad client.
Invest your efforts in a client where your grand plan has a hope of actually being implemented... I'd wager that your work for these people would be initially greeted with praise, and then promptly shoved in a drawer never to be heard from again.
If you must do it, propose the project and get paid for it. Pro bono on a project like this is crazy, and if your thinking crazy thoughts like these, it's probably because they're a bad client, and you're trying to get control of them... it never works.
- cannonball19780
Present the problem, the implications as you see it based on your expertise, and what happens when someone doesn't slap the shit out of the problem with a bat-sized veiny design dick.
Then sit back and ask if there are any bat-sized design dicks in the house.
- bklyndroobeki0
monNom is right, 2 mos later and nothing has changed.It's always a hassle getting a deposit to begin (even when I knock it down for installments which I shouldn't have to do). When they finally send it it's a rush job and I can't charge them rush fees because the contract was signed.
Bad relationship. Will make new unions who are invested in good effort.