Design Philosophy
Establish your Identity. Clarify your message. Identify your audience. These are the steps that lead to effective communication. Establishing budgets. Understanding and reviewing production methods and parameters. Pinpointing appropriate format. These are the steps that lead to a cost effective presentation. But the very first step for either process is for me to listen. My goal is for you to be happy with the final product, and that won't happen if I don't fully understand what you want.

I approach every project by first exploring “The Big Picture.” For example, a brochure should not only convey its message clearly and in a provocative manner, it should also match the tone and goals of the client’s organization. It should either work as one part of all the materials that the organization uses, or it should have a clear reason why it should be different. Does the piece lend itself to being updated? And is a brochure the best way to present the information?

And throughout the entire planning and design process I have always focused on being organized, thorough, and on keeping the cost of a project reasonable. As a result, I have enjoyed the return of many clients, all of whom appreciate my abilities and recognize how those abilities have allowed them to feel confident that the project will be completed with a minimum amount of stress, and will result in a product that will meet or exceed their goals and expectations.

"The customer is always. . . satisfied"
I don't believe in the phrase "the customer is always right." But I do believe that the customer should always be satisfied. If I disagree with you about any aspect of the process, I will tell you, and explain my point of view. But it is your project, you write the checks, and if you don't agree, you will get what you want. You can be assured that you will not be strong-armed into a design that you're not happy with.

Design Process
Succesfull design is based on successful communication. So the start of the design process is to talk. As we discuss your project, I will ask questions that might not seem relevant, but will help me to better understand your goals and methods. Based on this conversation I will work up a proposal outlining what you want and what it will take to get there (type of presentation, budget, time, expenses, etc.) With your approval of the proposal, I will begin rough drafts of a design.

Depending on the type of project and budget I will produce up to three different drafts. We then review the drafts, and discuss which draft, or what elements of a draft, you like and don't like. Based on this feedback, I will then work up a complete design.

You then review and carefully proof the design and specify any additional changes. I will incorporate the changes, and then present you with the updated design. With your final approval, I will package the material and send it off to the printer, fabricator or service bureau. Depending on the media for the design I will either automatically be a part of the approval process for any proof the provider makes available, or will be available if you feel I am needed. This is usually determined at the initial meeting. Regardless, I don't consider the project complete until you, the client, feel it is complete.





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© 2002, Jeff Jones Freelance Graphic Design
18311 Trundle Rd, Dickerson, MD 20842