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The five phases below are a brief overview to the process of working with a client. Some projects follow these phases over years, like signage for a college campus, others like a display advertisement will be completed in a day. Some phase of the design may be revisited to work out details, adjust the budget, or simply to respond to a client request. Like creativity itself, graphic design is rarely a linear process.

The Brief:
This phase usually starts with a client meeting to establish project goals, budget and schedule. It is a good time to establish a solid relationship too. Later on in the project interpersonal communication skills will serve you well when a client throws in an idea inconsistent with the original project goals. Gather information about your client’s products or services.

The brief involves thorough research to create a successful design. Also, make sure the key decision maker is at the initial meeting(s). Without their buy in at the beginning the designer can certainly design a wonderful project that has nothing to do with the original project scope.

Design Development:
Designer reviews the research and information gathered. In addition to analyzing your client’s product or service it will often serve well to research the competition as well. Successful designs stand out in the marketplace (or at least doesn’t get confused with the competition!) Begin sketching and explore lots of visual concepts. At this phase the design possibilities are wide open. Firm up your sketches and pick the most appropriate solutions to prepare for presentation.

Presentation:
Consider how you will present your design. In person is still the best way. You’ll be able to read your client’s body language and be able to address concerns quickly before they grow out of control. For small projects emailing the client a PDF will keep the work flowing and a follow up phone conversation will suffice.

Make sure your rendering or comp accurately represents your concept. Nothing slows down a pitch like, “Well it won’t really look like that.” Use colors and materials how you intend the final product to look. Make sure the design presentation is neatly put together. The art of a good presentation can make or break all the hard work up to now. Your designs will rarely sell themselves. Practice with your team, in front of a mirror or write down what you will say – just the process of visualizing how the meeting will proceed will boost your confidence.

Bring the meeting to a concise finish and record the discussion. Follow up with an email summarizing the meeting and proposed plan of action. This correspondence will protect you from revisiting ideas and wasting the project budget on misdirected ides. Attend to the refinements and changes requested in a timely fashion to keep the project on track. When the concept is approved you’re halfway to completing the project.

Artwork:
Print designers will go through one or two rounds of editing and color refinement within this phase. Keep track of these changes until the client signs off for completion. For others who design wayfinding systems or packaging the artwork phase is more extended. Materials, colors and finishes need to be specified. Measured drawings and mockups must be created to fully realize the designs. Contact fabricators and printers at this point for complicated projects. For digital projects this phase is nearly complete when it begins as you’ve been working within the final medium all along.
For all types of graphic design prepare your files so they will be ready for production.

Production:
For print and environmental graphic designers this phase involves working closely with the printer or fabricator. Papers, colors, and finishes are all reviewed and compared to the designer’s original intent. The client may still be involved at this phase on larger projects to assure the final product meets their expectation. For print projects go the printer to view the sheet as it comes off the press. For signage projects the designer is even at the physical site to oversee the pouring of a concrete base or application of screen printed graphics. A high quality project requires follow through on every detail.

For Web Design this stage will incorporate the HTML and Flash coding to build the site. Internal testing of the site will eradicate any trouble with the site functions before it goes live. Thoroughly check the site on different browser platforms for the best results and post it to a web server.

Follow Up:
Not considered part of the design process but an important part of business it to check in with the client. Was the project delivered on time? Are they happy with the results? Will they do market or user testing for the product? Ask your client to keep you informed about the feedback they recieve on the project. Establish an informal policy to stay in touch–most projects will be from repeat customers.

Article Reference: http://graphicdesign.about.com