Graphic Design & Print Production
Phase 1: Project Planning
Upon approval of the contract, 76design and the client will meet for a brief kick-off meeting. The overall objective of this phase is to seek input from the client to gain a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities they are facing as well as their objectives and expectations. Once client expectations have been confirmed, 76design will establish and develop a timeline and project schedule. This timeline will be provided to the client to ensure that deadlines are being met on both ends. To keep track of deadlines internally, we place all milestones & tasks into Basecamp – a web-based project collaboration tool. Once the above deliverables are complete and approved, the project manager and creative director will proceed to develop the creative brief and conduct the internal team briefing prior to commencing the project.
Phase 2: Creative Design
Upon completion of the internal kick-off meeting, the team is ready to begin working on the project. The first phase is to review the client’s design requirements and to brainstorm ideas that are visually appealing, intuitively functional and essentially purposeful. How these goals are met in any given situation depends on a host of cultural, material and economic factors, but at all times it is design rigor and intelligence that ensures that communication objectives are attained. 76design will develop two or three written themes which represent a high level interpretation of the proposed concepts. Based on the selected theme, 76design will proceed in developing two to three mock-ups to present to the client; design mock-ups provide a more detailed expression of the overall look and feel including graphical elements & brand assets. The client will then be asked to select a design direction and provide feedback for refinement.
Phase 3: Content Development
Occasionally 76design will be asked to provide writing services to develop the content for reports, publications, fact sheets etc. At this time we will call upon our sister company, Thornley Fallis, to provide their expertise in the matter. We begin by conducting some preliminary research; review of the company website & past publications or reports. We may be required to coordinate and conduct interviews with stakeholders, or other company representatives; Thornley Fallis & 76design will work with the client to develop scripts or interview questions. Thornley Fallis will also work with the client to develop the remainder of the content; we will submit a draft of the English to the client for review & feedback. We typically allot two or three rounds of revisions at this stage depending on the client’s preference. Once the English content is approved, it will be submitted to a translator for French translation (if required). Thornley Fallis & 76design ensure that all documents have been thoroughly proofread prior to being submitted to the client for review; each language is reviewed internally approximately three times.
Phase 4: Production & Layout
Upon receipt of the final English content, whether it is written in-house or externally, 76design will commence the layout process. We will layout all text using the approved design template, we will source and manipulate all required photos & imagery and create any tables or charts using numerical data provided to us by the client. The draft layout will be reviewed internally, proofed for design consistencies, and then submitted to the client once it has received an internal approval. We typically allot two (2) rounds of revisions at this stage to accommodate client feedback. When we feel we are nearing an approval of the English layout or when the French text is final and approved, we will proceed in laying out the French version (if necessary). The same process applies to the French layout.
Phase 5: Print Production
Depending on client requirements, the deliverables at this stage can vary quite a bit. As part of our full-service solution, 76design regularly coordinates print production on behalf of our clients. We have working relationships with several local printing houses and other suppliers. Our policy is to solicit at least three (3) quotes from our list of suppliers and present these to the client before moving forward. Of course, we are always happy to work closely with any printing/production supplier that our clients prefer to use. Throughout the production process, 76design works closely with and manages all aspects of subcontracted work to ensure the selected supplier upholds our same high-level quality standards. On every occasion that we send a job (electronic artwork) to a printing house, it is accompanied by proofs and colour separations with specific and detailed pre-press instructions. We will then follow up with the printer to ensure everything is in order and they understand all provided instructions before starting the print job. At times, we will bring the client to meet with the printer to perform a press check; the client will review the print job and provide sign-off when they are satisfied with the outcome. 76design will request that all printed pieces be delivered to our offices so that we can check colour, trimming and other design consistencies. If all printed materials meet our expectations, we will deliver them along with copies of the electronic artwork and support files on disc to the client.
Phase 6: HTML Conversion (if required)
Should the client require the printed materials in a web–ready format, 76design will convert all text pages and graphics to HTML. 76design will coordinate with the client’s technical team to transfer all files to their web server. The client or the technical team is typically responsible for launching the HTML files; however 76design will remain in close contact to ensure a smooth transition.
