Especially during times like this people are asking “How can I make my project cost less?”  so I decided to put together a tip list of sorts, in order to guide your planning on various projects. This is by no means the complete, but it will certainly get you off on the right foot so when you arrive at the studio for your new design project, we’ll all be using our time effectively an you’ll feel well prepared for advancing your marketing efforts.  If you have any questions on these, please feel free to email or call.

Need an Ad? We need to know …

• Is it a print or web-based ad?
• What are the dimensions? (print = inches, web = pixels)
• Publication Name or Web Site Address
• Publication Contact Person
• Art Deadline
• Run Date(s)
• Fonts, logos and pictures required
• Primary and Secondary messages
• A Call to Action
• Event or Sale Details (or other relevant information)
• Physical or Web Address, Phone Number to be included

Need Screen Printed or Embroidered Apparel?  We need to know …

• Requested In Hands Date (is it for an event?)
• Requested Apparel Brand or Style (generic or premium?)
• What is are the general requirements for the graphics?
• How many Colors are we working with?
• How many locations will design appear on a single garment?
• How many of each size is needed?

Need a Custom Illustration? We need to know …

• Requested In Hands Date
• Is the illustration digital or classic? (i.e. on paper)
• If digital, will the file need to be scalable for many sizes?
• If classic, what medium and substrate is requested? (i.e. charcoal on paper, marker on paper, watercolor, etc.)
• What is the intended use of the illustration?
• What reproduction methods will be used?
• What number of colors is preferred?
• What dimensions should each panel be created at, and how many total panels are required?

Need a Logo?  We need to know …

• Company Name, Mission, Vision, Values
• Is there a preference for an Iconic, Typographic, or Illustrative mark?
• What contexts will the Logo be commonly used?
• What stationery and signage needs are there?
• Are there preconceived notions of the logo design, preferred colors or fonts we need to discuss first?

Need a web site?  We need to know …

• Domain name.  Did you register it already?  Where?
• Do you currently have a web presence?  If so, what’s “wrong” with it?
• Company profile
• List of sites and functionality you would like to incorporate in your site
• Will you sell things online (e-commerce), or primarily promote (brochure site) your company?
• Who will maintain the site after its completed?
• What is your ideal launch date?

Again, this is not the final list for any given project type, but merely some thoughts to guide you.  Hopefully these tips help you feel more knowledgeable, prepared, and comfortable when you discuss your project with our team.  This information will allow us to create more accurate estimates, quickly.

Craig Tommola
craig@36squares.com
616.566.6971