Limber Creative - Articles

Designing Good to Great

2010-03-19T21:56:04+00:00

Designing Good to Great

One of my favorite things about SXSW Interactive 2010 was the passion I found no matter the direction I looked. It's easy for creatives to slump into a lusterless career path, but it was nice to see talented designers and developers discussing craft, client relationships, and goals for the future. A lack of passion was hard to find.

Perhaps one of the most candid conversations I had the pleasure of taking in occurred not in the grandiose Austin Convention Center, but in a smaller room in the neighboring Courtyard Hotel. Led by Ian Coyle of Superhero.es in Portland and Duane King of BBDK in Santa Fe, the discussion focused on bettering ones design abilities; moving from good to great as professional creators.

As creative leaders, we must strive to get the best from our clients and continuously heighten our ability to execute the final 10% of projects, where most stall or faulter. Personal projects, they contested, are also a terrific way to learn more about your own skill set while expanding upon new ideas and innovation along the way.

An important topic relating to client interaction was also addressed and discussed openly among the crowd. How is it that we find and maintain strong relationships with clients? It's a tough question to answer, and not one with any single solution. What I took from the conversation, however, is that there's a core starting point.

The point where both the creative team and the client must have mutual, amicable respect for one another is highly important and perhaps debatably critical for a design project to turn out as successfully as it possibly can. Without respect—without a sincere desire for both parties to succeed—a design project can fail quickly.

The suggestion to work with clients that like your processes and work seems easy enough, but it's been interesting to find over the years that such a case might not be immediately assumed. In the instance of referrals, for example, I've seen potential clients not even look at a prospective design firm's website, let alone their body of work!

Designing good to great encompasses no magical solution, but it does start with a commitment to a client's vision, providing your own insight and knowledge to help lead a project to success. If the tools are present, and the right motives exist, you're on your way to bettering both sides of that coin. The path to creating that next success will be off on the right foot.

Budgeting for Marketing Success

2009-10-23T19:55:09+00:00

Budgeting for Marketing Success

Quite often current or potential Clients will come to Limber Creative with terrific ideas that even some of the best designers might not think of. The fact is, you, as the Client, understand your business better than anyone else. You are able to connect with what your customer pulse is and therefore can best understand how your marketing should be approached.

As designers and developers, we are tasked with wrapping those important tidbits of knowledge around an end product that not only stands out visually, but also communicates your end goals to the most important audience(s).

When it comes to print, it might be the correct paper selection or finishing touches; when it is web or interactive, it may be valid code structure and hierarchy to best showcase the work.

Making Time

Moreso than not, though, many business owners and marketing managers don't take the time to understand the budgeting landscape for high quality creative work. With so much on your respective plates, it's entirely understandable. With customers, bills, goals, and your own deliverables, it can get hectic on a day to day basis.

As one who strongly believes in providing only the best for his own Clients, I ask you this: Why should anything you produce be less than the best it can be? We must research, plan, and execute accordingly. Before you contact a design firm with your next big idea, consider this...

The Analogy

There are two lawn care providers. Company A can service your entire lawn and install planters along your front walk for $500. Company B can offer the same services but at an estimated rate of $1500. Many would jump at the $500 solution. But why? Same services, different prices; what is there to think about? The fact is, sometimes our ability to process value only stays within arms reach — how this effects him/her/us in this moment.

In reality if we were to take a step back, we'd realize Company B uses higher quality materials. They bring more experience to the job. They also take the time to hand select the best array of flowers for the newly installed planters, working alongside your suggestions the entire way. Company B also insures their flowers won't die in a year, and they even clean up your yard after the install; something many other providers don't take the time to do.

The experience is elevated and so is the end product.

Your Success

You see, creative success is much like evaluating quality and value in our everyday lives. As those who poise ourselves for greatness, we must evaluate, budget, and execute the best options; even when the cheapest option appears to the best in the short term.

More

For an extended version of this article, visit Design Litmus to read more about the topic.

Approaching a Design Firm

2009-09-02T20:48:54+00:00

Approaching a Design Firm

It's typical to come across a potential Client that's not yet had an experience with a designer before; or perhaps, at least not a pleasurable one. Contrary to some businesses beliefs, there are certain things that both the Designer and Client should have in mind prior to a first in-depth meeting. Here, we'll review with you important items to have in mind when speaking with your design team.

The Essentials

In order to get started on the right foot, it's important to have particular variables lined up on your end. First and foremost, your business goals should be clearly defined and outlined for review in your conversation with the Designer. It should be evident up front what you want to get out of any new project and definitive goals are the best way to begin.

Take time to go through what assets exist (identity, business card, website, etc.) at that time, and explain what assets may need to be improved upon during the project. If you begin working with a Designer, he or she will request these baseline documents for review to better understand what systems may already be in place. Be prepared to provide the Designer with your logo, business materials, photography, and any other asset that could benefit the specific project.

Timelines and budgets are more often than not the most difficult details to attain from perspective Clients. Do your homework up front and give yourself the opportunity to better understand these specific landscapes before engaging in conversation with a Designer. If you have a required go-live date, note that up front. Understand if a job becomes rushed, you may be susceptible to increased fees. And perhaps most importantly, identify a budget range from the onset and understand that cheap isn't better. The old adage is, in fact, quite true when it comes to custom web development: You do get what you pay for.

Keep In Mind

Not all design firms are created equal. Much of what you'll be evaluating is aesthetic and technical know-how, but also the personality fit between your parties. You'll be working with this person or team for an extended period time, so isn't it important that you work well together? We think so.

In addition to the basics noted above, remember that it's also the Designer's responsibility to ask leading questions in order to draw out pertinent information. I've seen this done in different ways, but most notably a kick-off questionnaire (via phone or in-person) is often a great way to begin. Laying all the cards on the table, so to speak, can immediately identify areas that may require extra attention.

But beyond requirements, fees, and deadlines, consdier this: it comes down to communication. You're all on the same team and your success becomes the Designer's success, as well. Why not develop a quality relationship from the process as well?

The Role of RFPs in Design

2009-08-17T23:03:39+00:00

The Role of RFPs in Design

I recently wrote an article at Design Litmus that outlined an experience Limber Creative encountered with a Request For Proposal (RFP). It was meant to give an in-depth look at why RFPs, on the whole, devalue the communicative process between the Client and Designer. Here, I'm offering a general overview of RFPs in the creative industry, a few thoughts on their validity (or lack thereof in some instances), and general guidelines you should adhere to when hunting for an appropriate design team to work with.

Creative RFPs

Typically those in the creative industry will encounter RFPs as a result of an internal request process, generally executed by a marketing team within a potential Client's organization. The document outlines basic requirements, timelines, and facts about their view of what they believe they (might) need. Overall, the request has many pitfalls. Namely, however, we've identified the largest to be the lack of communication and identification of process, values, goals, and other important variables like quality and timely execution. If a potential Client simply reads printed submissions, how is the decision-making process valid? And isn't most of the evaluation hinged just upon a bottom line?

When RFPs Are Valid

Seldom do we engage in an RFP process, but on very rare occasions, it becomes a necessity to move forward with a project we're excited about. If a company produces a particular request out of corporate requirement and approaches our company to engage in discussion, we understand that there is no other way around the process. Thankfully, a company like this had already identified that Limber Creative is a good fit; they don't send out numerous requests to other companies. While still an RFP, it becomes specific to a single company and not a dozen others!

Guidelines For Your Business

We actively encourage thinking about deeper questions and approaching the design and development process as a dialogue instead of a one-way street. Finding the best design team for your project shouldn't involve reviewing line items in a RFP submission, but rather engaging with a company (or two) that you've researched and feel could be the best fit for you and your team. At the end of the day, you'll want to be working with someone who is on your side for the right reasons. Here's a good way to start:

At an overview level, consider your business goals. Generate a "need" list alongside a "want" list to begin with.
Research! Ask reputable colleagues, call a few companies, and review portfolios to better understand the landscape.
Narrow your focus to one or two companies that you feel the most comfortable to move forward with.
Work with a company that understands your goals and will execute what you need.
Cost consideration is important; however, it shouldn't necessarily dictate your ultimate decision.

Remember! Even if an RFP is required within your company, discovering important questions and finding appropriate answers takes meaningful research and discussion. In the end, it is an important key to any successful project.