My first step in creating a graphic is to create a design brief, which I do before I even pull out any digital sketching software. My client’s requirements and other essential aspects of the project will be recorded here.

This is what’s in my design brief:

• Data about the business (its goals, products/services, and USP).
• Brand guidelines.
• Target audience.
• Purpose for the creative.
• Design references if any.
• Delivery format and file type.
• Project timeline.
• Budget of the design work.

Now that I have a clear idea of what I want to do creatively, I can begin my early visual research. At this stage of the process, I immerse myself in learning about the product or service I will be selling.

During the research phase, I focus on:

• Realising the nature of the goods or service my client selling.
• Analysis of rival firms’ design output.
• Finding out where my client’s product fits in the market and what makes it unique.
• Inquiring into the graphic information my client’s audience consumes outside of the client’s speciality.
• Pondering the potential applications of color theory and current design tendencies.
• Putting together a moodboard by collecting images that inspire me.

For my design, research is essential. I’ll use what I learn to generate fresh concepts, convince everyone involved of the best path forward, and provide credence to my final design choices.

Now that I have my design brief and all the data I need from my research, I can begin to sketch up the basic structure of the asset. Thumbnails, mockups, and other graphic elements may be sketched up throughout the concept creation and refining stage, depending on the project. More time and revisions may be needed to perfect larger, more complex projects like creating an abstract or text logo and designing a website. No matter how big or little my project is, I always start by sharing my ideas with the rest of the team.

The following are the three types of concepts I always present to my client:

• Deliver precisely what was requested.
• Give them your best guess at what they’ll enjoy based on the information at your disposal.
• Provide an alternative proposal that works with the requirements.

Choose one of these three to further develop with my client or coworkers. I would like to hear your thoughts on my overall strategy and the broad outline of my project to see if anything is missing or might be altered to support the project’s final goals better. In this approach, I may avoid wasting time and effort on a dead end during the design process.

It’s time to put the plan into action now that everyone involved is on the same page and I have everything I need to finish the design.

During the design phase, I will be held to industry standards for color theory, typography, information hierarchy, and positive/negative space. Furthermore, I will put my technical abilities to the test by making effective use of appropriate graphic design software and other related productivity tools.

Review my design with a critical eye and make any necessary edits before sending it out. Is there anything weird about the design? Is my visual hierarchy conducive to achieving the brief’s stated aims? Now is the time for me to make my own changes, but it doesn’t mean we’re done revising.

When I receive input from my clients, I break the process down into smaller steps to ensure quality and a seamless fit with their vision.

This stage of the design process could look like this, depending on the type of team I’m working with:

• Submit the design work for internal review.
• Make any requested changes.
• Present the updated design to my client or other decision-makers.
• Explain how my design decisions align with the creative brief and the agreed-upon direction.
• Gather feedback from all clients or coworkers.
• Confirm my next steps.
• Make the requested changes.
• Present this new version to the rest of the team.

The next step is to do the same thing over and over again until I have achieved the final version and there are no more edits to make.

Now that I’ve obtained everyone’s stamp of approval, I’m ready to send along the assets in their final forms. Create a production-ready file that can be readily imported into any desired digital or print format for my target audience.

The deliverables I’m expected to submit should be spelt out in my creative brief. I always double-check that the asset I’m sending is the right size and format before sending it out. It would be ideal if I could spare those who got them the trouble of making changes to the files or contacting me for more assistance.