A friend of mine is in need of some graphic design work. I’m trying to explain to him that his make-me-something-like-X-but-different-approach is not a very good way to communicate his needs. We tried to write down some of the specifics that a graphic designer would need in order to limit the back & forth of “not getting it right”–but were limited by our own lack of visual-imagination (hence, why he needs a graphic designer).
What are some of the questions graphic designers need to know in order to begin working?
The project is a layout/character design for a mobile app game.
Answer
You need a Creative Brief.
The graphic designer you approach should have one to give to you. Here are a number of topics to consider, though this is for large projects and some of the subjects may not apply for you:
Project Background
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Who are you and what do we need to know about you?
Give some background information on how this project came about. -
What have you done in the past?
Give a brief explanation of what you need from the graphic designer.
The Market
- What are the current trends and challenges you’re facing in your industry/ies?
- What are your competitors doing?
Provide information that you feel is relevant such as articles, reports or statistics.
Objectives
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What is the desired end result?
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What do you want the target audience to do after this communication? Go on your website? Try out the product? Understand it better? Increase awareness of your brand?
-
Try to include some SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-constrained) targets aswell, for example:
‘Gain 500 Facebook likes by August’ or ‘Increase footfall by 5% this quarter’
Target Audience
- Who is the intended target audience for this communication?
- Can you imagine the type of person you are trying to reach out to?
- How do they feel towards the market?
- What are their attitudes towards the product/service?
- How should they perceive your brand?
Proposition
- What is so great about the product/service?
- What is the importance?
- What is the most compelling and persuasive message that will encourage your audience to do what you want?
Try to keep it as simple as possible and benefit-led.
Benefits and Support for the Proposition
- How can you prove the proposition is true? (if applicable)
Provide a short list of benefits that support the proposition, directly and indirectly.
The Offer
- Is there anything else that will prompt your target audience to act?
- If so, what? and how important is it..?
Call-to-action
- What’s the first thing you want your intended audience to do on completion of this communication?
- Go on the website? Give you a call? Buy your product/service? Book an appointment?
Tone of Voice
- The mood of the design, how it should feel to the audience.
- Ideally you should try to think of an analogy that has an identifiable personality consistent with what you want; a famous person; a car; a brand; whatever fits.
Brand Profile
- What are the most important aspects of your brand?
- What are your brand values, vision, character and personality?
Deliverables
- What are the required outcomes from this project?
A website, a poster? - What size should the poster be?
Include your specific guidance or requests.
Mandatories
- What MUST be included?
Your logo, strapline, any legal information, T’s & C’s? - What constraints must be adhered to?
Time? Budget? Colours? Formats?
Additional Information
- Include any references, websites, info, guidelines, previously designed materials etc.
Attribution
Source : Link , Question Author : Noob Saibot , Answer Author : Dom