Graphic Design – Steps to take to minimize costs with your Graphic Designer

“We want to be super creative but don’t want to over spend on our marketing dollars” is something we hear often. We get it; you’re trying to save those monies and stick to budget but are there ways you can save and use spare hours for super duper creative work? Never fear, the Creative Team is here! We have put together a list of steps that you can take to help you minimize spend, get your jobs completed in a shorter time and stick to those pesky budgets.​

“So tell us team creative, what are these amazing steps?” Check them out below:

• Accurate Briefing – When submitting a brief it is highly important to include all elements before a member of the creative team begins working away. This includes elements such as accurate imagery, all text/ content needed, links including UTMs and accurate subject lines / pre header text. Even basic info such as the dims (which should always be written WIDTH and then HEIGHT, remember “you walk into the lift before you go up!”). It can be hard for us creatives to begin particular jobs without all the elements up front. We understand this is something that can’t always happen but the more accurate the brief the more accurate the first draft will come back to you and the less back and forth there will be.Remember, a mistake by us on a draft will not be charged but every change requested by you results in additional hours.

• Get your designers involved sooner rather then later – stuck on an idea, not sure how to brief in a particular job? Give us a call or send us a quick email! These brief calls are not charged to you so pick up the phone, dial those digits or get those fingers typing up a quick email and get some clarity before the job has begun.

• Initial brainstorming – Brainstorming is always welcome and it is a great way for your designers to understand your vision to make it a reality. Worried about the cost? Then don’t, we will NOT charge you for a brainstorm meeting (YAY!), only for the work that follows. At the end of the day we designers are the designated creatives, so get chatting with us and get us involved! We love to share our insights and we can possibly give you a different perspective or idea you haven’t thought of yet.

• Changes required should be sent through in clear and concise emails. Clear bullet points are our preference, the fewer words used the better! Not sure how to express your thoughts into words and want to have a chat, email your designer and see when a good time is to go over any changes. Communication is key and will help get the process underway and get that job complete.

• Mockups or examples are always welcome – have you seen a particular design you like on Pinterest? Saw a really cool social post from another brand? Send it through to us! Take a picture of a sketch with your phone and attached it to the brief! It helps your designer pick your brain to produce exactly what you are envisioning sooner rather then later.

Don’t forget we are here to help you reach your audience and achieve your vision. Communication is always a must to get your point across so let’s build up that chit chat, lets start brainstorming and working together to help minimize your spend for every brief!