Getting to know you
The first step, obviously, is getting to know you and the design problem we'll be helping you with.
Nothing beats a good ol' fashioned conversation, but we've also developed some tools to help you clarify your needs—for us as well as yourself! You can download and fill out the Project Profiler or the Identity Profiler to the right.
Getting started
The
next thing to do is for Hazen to put together an estimate based on our understanding of the project. It will indicate the steps necessary to complete it and a range of hours and fees associated with each step. The estimate is calculated using an hourly rate, and indicates the minimum and maximum possible fee. As long as we stay on track with the scope detailed in the estimate, you won't pay more than that maximum. If the steps, cost, and deliverable sound good to you, you sign the estimate and it becomes our agreeement to work together.
Getting it right
Graphic design wouldn't exist without clients. Hazen's whole reason for being is to solve your communication problems. Therefore our process takes into account that there will be a little back and forth to get exactly what you want. The estimate plans for a certain number of rounds of revisions so there's no confusion on either side as to the process. That said, if an extra round becomes necessary—for example, your boss changes the text at the last minute—we'll be happy to accommodate and bill it separately.
Design reviews generally happen online (though if we can, we'd be happy to present in person). The online reviews are simple click-through "slideshows" like the samples at the right. They show the various ideas and a little background on each. Though all ideas start with pencil and paper, when you see "sketches" they will actually be produced on the computer. The designs will look pretty polished, but these are preliminary representations of the concepts and can be refined further.