Just thought I would share the creative direction process I use when someone hires me to design their website or marketing materials. Everything is a collaboration. Some companies have a formalized process where they send a series of questions. I just do it by email with a few short ones. I don’t want them to feel they have to answer every single question before I start designing though, so this is just a general rule to go by.

These can be applied to websites and other design projects…

What do you want people to think of and feel when the view your website, or logo, or marketing material?

Can you give me a few examples of what you like in design?

What do you think your brand is and personality?

What colors do you prefer and why?

What type of style do you prefer?

For websites…

Can you show me a few websites that you like the design of and why?

What type of layout do you like? For example, left sidebar, top, right…

Without creative direction it is virtually impossible to create together, so these questions help to get the process started.  Sometimes I get lucky and hit the design mark on the very first try.  I love that.  Sometimes my first proof spurs them on to narrow their tastes down.  Naturally, I prefer option number one.   Oh, of course it does help if they already like what I have done because of course my personality goes into all the work I do as well.

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Heather is the owner and creative director of Third Eye Studio, a graphic/web/art studio located in Lake Worth, South Florida.

…specializing in creative and unique custom print and web design. Let me help you grow your business!