Comments on: From Client Contact to Design – A Group Interview

By: Steve Pintea

Steve Pintea — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 07:09:18 +0000

I have viewed that intelligent real estate agents everywhere you go are warming up to FSBO Marketing. They are knowing that it’s more than just placing a sign post in the front property. It’s really in relation to building interactions with these sellers who sooner or later will become customers. So, whenever you give your time and energy to aiding these retailers go it alone – the “Law regarding Reciprocity” kicks in. Interesting blog post.

By: Duane

Duane — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 06:24:17 +0000

Hey guys this is really great! The post itself is inspiring and the discussion has really answered all the questions I had. Thanks and continue the great work all of you!

By: Edward Julio B. Tuppil

Edward Julio B. Tuppil — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:58:09 +0000

I’ve Had fun reading your post… I’ve had really helpful tips!!!
And thank You so much!!! :)

Realy Great!!!

By: Adam

Adam — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:58:43 +0000

Hey DP,

If they’re getting scared at 50%, then chances are they will be an enormous headache. When I deal w/ projects over 5k, I often give them the option to pay in thirds. 1/3 on quote approval, 1/3 on design approval, 1/3 on soft launch.

50% is standard practice from what I’ve seen. The entrepreneur in me says to get a feel for the situation and work with people whose budgets are not immediately great, but the business man always says cash is king.

Hope that helps.

Adam

By: MyInkTrail: Best of the Design Community, September 2009

MyInkTrail: Best of the Design Community, September 2009 — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:42:48 +0000

[...] From Client Contact to Design – A Group Interview [...]

By: dp

dp — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:23:48 +0000

Heather, you guys are making a BIG mistake with all those design specific questions. You’re practically telling the client to design the site themselves. What the hell do they know about colors and layout? A better process is to give them adjectives to describe how they want their brand to be perceived. BIG, BIG mistake on your part. Waaaaay too many questions. You guys are obviously on the development side of things. Rethink your process!!!! Get a creative Director or creative consultant on board.

By: Heather Kyle

Heather Kyle — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:19:06 +0000

Our company specializes in website design search engine optimization. The early stages of our process are very similar to yours. One thing we do before starting the project is interview the client with specific design-related questions in order to nail down their exact needs. In an article of ours, we’ve listed some of the questions that we ask the client before starting a redesign: http://www.pilotfishseo.com/website-design-questions.asp

An important part of our SEO process is doing keyword research, which helps determine which keywords users will type into search engines to find what they are looking for on the Internet.

By: dp

dp — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:38:46 +0000

Yes, Jeff Fisher’s contract with dates added for each set of revisions and client sign-offs seems like a good way to go. Of course, not matter how tightly you design your contract, a bad client will always find and exploit some kind of loophole. For instance, a client that wants drastic changes and claims that it is a set of revisions. I can give more examples but you guys get the point I’m sure. -dp

PS- the market seems to be picking up. Anyone else getting that impression? (off topic I know, but I was wondering)

By: Rob Bowen

Rob Bowen — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 19:31:55 +0000

This is a great discussion, indeed! So much helpful information being shared, it truly is inspiring.

@dp – I think, like you pointed out with Cindy’s contract. the more information you can work into the contract will not only further protect you (in the sense of the dates in this case) but also helps put the client’s mind at ease. The fewer questions that anyone has once the contract is in place, is naturally better for all those involved. It will also show a mark of professionalism to have such a detailed and mapped out approach.

By: dp

dp — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:49:03 +0000

OK, I see. you really spell it out for them right from the start. That’s probably how I will do it with my contract. Thank you so much Cindy. :)

By: Cindy

Cindy — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:43:29 +0000

Every designer is different, and it’s really up to you and your process. I send the client a 1-page brief, a 1-page contract and a 1-page project estimate. I do mostly print work, but I’ll modify my brief as I start picking up more web.

For the contract, I based mine heavily on this one: http://jefffisherlogomotives.blogspot.com/2008/07/signing-on-dotted-line.html

This is how I outline my brief. I always drop a CD of final work in the mail (along with e-mailing the files) so that I can send along my business card and invoice.

Project Title/Description

Overview

Deliverables Needed

Primary Audiences

Tone and Image

Process

Schedule
Date—Project Agreement returned, deposit received at latest to stay on schedule.
Date—Initial logos/concepts e-mailed to point of contact.
Date—Logo chosen. 1st set of revisions to chosen design e-mailed to designer.
Date—2nd logo e-mailed to point of contact.
Date—2nd set of revisions e-mailed to designer.
Date—3rd logo e-mailed to point of contact.
Date—3rd set of revisions e-mailed to designer.
Date—Final logo e-mailed to to point of contact. CD-ROM dropped in mail.

By: dp

dp — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:14:35 +0000

my concern is that the project does not go past a certain date so that I can my plans to take on projects after that date. The problem is that I don’t know how to write it into the contract. I’ve sifted through a lot of contracts but can’t find one that clearly defines a start and end date in a comprehensive way.

I appreciate everyone taking the time to respond to my queries.

By: Cindy

Cindy — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:08:15 +0000

@dp After speaking with the client, I give them the contract with a design brief. The design brief is a summary of what I will and will not be providing in detail, as well as a timeline for all proofs, when they should return the proof back to me, and when the project will be completed. I do this so that when they sign the contract, they know exactly my impressions of what I will be providing them. I am open about changing the brief/contract if there is something in it that I misinterpreted.

It does take more time (1–2 hours for me, typically, to write it up), but I like to make sure I am on the same page as the client. I also have a note in the contract that says if they miss a date on the timeline (or if I am unable to make a date on the timeline due to illness or something major) that timeline will need to be modified. Any time a date is missed (which happens typically on their end with giving feedback/changes), I modify the timeline and send it to them again so that we are always on the same page as far as when the project will be completed.

There are some good design contracts online if you dig around. :)

By: dp

dp — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:55:29 +0000

What about stipulating a start date and (more importantly) an end date to the project in the contract? Does anyone have an example of a contract with start/end date?

By: Tracey Grady

Tracey Grady — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:51:20 +0000

There’s a good discussion developing here. Like Grace, I follow a similar set of steps to those outlined by everyone featured in the post. I take a payment up front: 50%, or 35% if the quoted amount is higher than $1,500 in which case I will arrange in the contract for three staged payments instead of two. But some of my clients prefer two payments no regardless of the quoted amount for the work.