Comments on: How do you write a graphic design brief? http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/ Graphic and logo designer based in Edinburgh, UK, with a passion for logo design. Fri, 04 Jul 2008 14:51:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: David Airey http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-94782 David Airey Mon, 26 May 2008 14:36:51 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-94782 Naresh, <blockquote>I make it a point to make the client know that he is paying me for my skills and not for the timeline. It helps them in understanding the value of our work.</blockquote> Well said. John, I can empathise with that first question being 'how much?'. I wonder how you choose which companies to refer those clients to. For instance, sometimes I'm simply too busy to take on new logo design work, and I refer clients to designers I respect, but where the price is the issue, not time, the choice becomes more difficult (if you understand). Richard, You're very welcome. Thanks for leaving your thoughts. Naresh,

I make it a point to make the client know that he is paying me for my skills and not for the timeline. It helps them in understanding the value of our work.

Well said.

John,

I can empathise with that first question being ‘how much?’. I wonder how you choose which companies to refer those clients to. For instance, sometimes I’m simply too busy to take on new logo design work, and I refer clients to designers I respect, but where the price is the issue, not time, the choice becomes more difficult (if you understand).

Richard,

You’re very welcome. Thanks for leaving your thoughts.

]]> By: Richard @ Peacock Carter http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-94496 Richard @ Peacock Carter Fri, 23 May 2008 16:55:26 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-94496 We spend quite a lot of time creating a tailored quotation and specification for all of our work (including logo design), and we have found that asking for the client's budget is a great way to weed out those who are looking for a week/month of your time for £50. As quite of the comments seem to say, if a client doesn't realise it's worth investing that in their company's image, they'll generally regret not investing initially in the end! Another excellent post, thanks David. <em>Richard @ Peacock Carter's last blog post...<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/pca-corporate-blog/~3/289662082/pedal-for-charity-web-design" rel="nofollow">Pedal for Charity: Web Design</a></em> We spend quite a lot of time creating a tailored quotation and specification for all of our work (including logo design), and we have found that asking for the client’s budget is a great way to weed out those who are looking for a week/month of your time for £50.

As quite of the comments seem to say, if a client doesn’t realise it’s worth investing that in their company’s image, they’ll generally regret not investing initially in the end!

Another excellent post, thanks David.

Richard @ Peacock Carter’s last blog post…Pedal for Charity: Web Design

]]> By: John Cooper http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-94369 John Cooper Thu, 22 May 2008 08:19:17 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-94369 In the case of not getting a budget out of a client, and often they just do not know what the should be spending (investing), we produce a three tiered cost structure, top end, middle of the road and basic. This means they cannot say 'No', and this gives them choice. We often push the envelope with them by using the analogy of an architect - you have to reveal the budget in order that the scope is accurately defined, and time (our most precious asset) is not wasted. If their first question is 'How much?" we politely refer them to the competition. We are into the 'Value' proposition, and never reveal hourly rates or hours spent. In the case of not getting a budget out of a client, and often they just do not know what the should be spending (investing), we produce a three tiered cost structure, top end, middle of the road and basic. This means they cannot say ‘No’, and this gives them choice.
We often push the envelope with them by using the analogy of an architect - you have to reveal the budget in order that the scope is accurately defined, and time (our most precious asset) is not wasted.
If their first question is ‘How much?” we politely refer them to the competition. We are into the ‘Value’ proposition, and never reveal hourly rates or hours spent.

]]> By: Naresh http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-93033 Naresh Wed, 23 Apr 2008 05:35:01 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-93033 Most of the times we end up with prospective clients who come to us with some inspiration from a source thats totally irrelevant for their business. This has happened to me numerous times. Having a design brief helps them to decide their priorities and goals. This process of rethinking proves vital in a contracts success as the goals and objectives are properly set. Also good to read comments from the buyers side too regarding the budgeting. As David said its a very thin line between a prospective client and a window shopper. I charge for the service I offer and not for the time I spend on my work. Also I make it a point to make the client know that he is paying me for my skills and not for the timeline. It helps them in understanding the value of our work. Most of the times we end up with prospective clients who come to us with some inspiration from a source thats totally irrelevant for their business. This has happened to me numerous times. Having a design brief helps them to decide their priorities and goals. This process of rethinking proves vital in a contracts success as the goals and objectives are properly set.

Also good to read comments from the buyers side too regarding the budgeting. As David said its a very thin line between a prospective client and a window shopper. I charge for the service I offer and not for the time I spend on my work. Also I make it a point to make the client know that he is paying me for my skills and not for the timeline. It helps them in understanding the value of our work.

]]> By: Baljit Siddhu http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-86679 Baljit Siddhu Fri, 28 Mar 2008 02:22:02 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-86679 Hi David, Thanks a lot. in my office we have to presant that what is logo? & I get good information from ur bolg I don't need to refer other sites. Thanks again. Now i am in hurry. But I will be in touch . Have a good Day. Hi David,

Thanks a lot.

in my office we have to presant that what is logo?
& I get good information from ur bolg I don’t need to refer other sites.

Thanks again.
Now i am in hurry.
But I will be in touch .

Have a good Day.

]]> By: David Airey http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-83255 David Airey Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:31:38 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-83255 Good luck with the meeting, Brigid. I hope it goes well for you. Good luck with the meeting, Brigid. I hope it goes well for you.

]]> By: Brigid http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-83251 Brigid Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:20:27 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-83251 Hi David Thanks for this blog topic. I found you via google as I am meeting with a designer tomorrow who suggested I had a brief. I know how to do IT project briefs but NO IDEA what goes into a design brief! Your headings helped focus on what I need to tell them... thanks! Fingers crossed they are able to help me. Brigid <em>Brigid's last blog post..<a href='http://biddycoady.blogspot.com/2008/03/home-sweet-home.html' rel="nofollow">HOME SWEET HOME!!</a></em> Hi David

Thanks for this blog topic. I found you via google as I am meeting with a designer tomorrow who suggested I had a brief. I know how to do IT project briefs but NO IDEA what goes into a design brief! Your headings helped focus on what I need to tell them… thanks! Fingers crossed they are able to help me.

Brigid

Brigid’s last blog post..HOME SWEET HOME!!

]]> By: Adaptiv Media http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-68148 Adaptiv Media Wed, 30 Jan 2008 18:04:36 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-68148 Very nice points made here. Bookmarked for future reference! Also love your blog typeface. I think i've used it in the past but can't put a name to it. Very nice points made here. Bookmarked for future reference! Also love your blog typeface. I think i’ve used it in the past but can’t put a name to it.

]]> By: Vicki http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-61691 Vicki Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:11:34 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-61691 That'll be super! I've decided to do a little risk-taking and put in the fee range. Will then be able to have some comments for the post when it's out :) Thanks for the prompt response, and I look forward to the post. V <em>Vicki's last blog post..<a href='http://www.bionic-creative.com/bionic-intel/get-it-done-the-bionic-way/' rel="nofollow">Get It Done The Bionic Way</a></em> That’ll be super!

I’ve decided to do a little risk-taking and put in the fee range. Will then be able to have some comments for the post when it’s out :)

Thanks for the prompt response, and I look forward to the post.

V

Vicki’s last blog post..Get It Done The Bionic Way

]]> By: David Airey http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-61688 David Airey Thu, 10 Jan 2008 16:04:07 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/how-do-you-write-a-graphic-design-brief/#comment-61688 Hi Vicki, You bring up a great topic, and one that I'll put into it's own blog post. That way, we'll get more of an idea what others think too. Thanks for the kind words - it's fantastic to know you find something of interest here. Hi Vicki,

You bring up a great topic, and one that I’ll put into it’s own blog post. That way, we’ll get more of an idea what others think too.

Thanks for the kind words - it’s fantastic to know you find something of interest here.

]]>