Web brief guidelines

To prepare for your initial meeting with your Atom Graphics’ designer, it is best to spend some time addressing the following and be ready to share these in your initial meeting:

Goals:

What is your business and how will the new website advance it? What do you envision and what should the website convey?

Who is the primary audience? Age group, professions, disciplines, and interests?

What are the primary and secondary goals of the website?

What subjects, in order of priority, do you want to cover on the website? Describe in detail the unique qualities of the business.

What design elements – colours, graphics, animations, logo, content parameters – do you feel are important to include, and why?

Planning:

Who will have final approval of the project?

Who will be the point of contact at your organization for everything related to this project? Will they be handling project management as well, or is this something you require assistance with?

What is your registered domain name?

Are all source materials (images, text, videos, etc.) in digital form? Will someone in-house be supplying all written copy, or would you like to work with one of Atom Graphics’ contract writers? Will you require stock or custom photography?

Does the site require database functionality? Is there a specific language the site needs to be coded in? How will the site be updated? Which sections of the site will need frequent updates?

Are there requirements for e-commerce, survey forms, online games, interactive demonstrations, online chat, or message boards?

Will the site be hosted on an in-house server or with another provider?

When will the final site need to go live? Is this a hard deadline (based on a specific event) or a soft deadline (based on general expectations)?

What is your budget? This will affect decisions on the specifications and the scope of the project.

Design:

Will the website be designed from scratch, or is it a redesign (makeover) of an existing site? If the project is a redesign of an existing site, please provide the URL to your Atom Graphics’ designer well before the initial meeting.

What look and feel would you like for the site? Provide examples of websites you like and dislike (from within or external to your industry) and explain why certain sites appeal to you while others don’t. Do you have any competitor sites that you respect or strongly dislike? Explain why. Do you have a specific genre, culture, or style in mind?

Should the website be consistent with any existing collateral marketing materials? Please supply any key marketing materials from within the same area of your business or organization.

Does the site require graphics interactivity and/or multimedia, such as JavaScript, movies, sound files, and Flash animations?

Do you have a sitemap planned out, or is this something you require assistance with?

The design brief meeting

The design brief meeting is usually a face-to-face meeting where the client and the Atom Graphics’ designer walk through the items from above. The designer will then ask additional questions related to the information provided or any information required that is outstanding. Your designer will often use this time to suggest options for the specifications of the project. The next steps which are then established include a final design quote and a summarization of elements required. Once the project has been signed off on, your Atom Graphics’ designer will set up a date to present initial concept(s), which does not have to be an in-person session.

It is important to find a good fit. We recommend you consider the following factors when choosing a graphic designer:

Competence: Does the designer effectively demonstrate an understanding of your needs and objectives?

Talent: Ask to see the design firm’s portfolio. Does the work command attention and have impact?

Chemistry: Is the designer easy to talk to? Are your personalities compatible? Do you find it easy to establish a comfortable working rapport?

Reputation: You may want to interview other clients with whom the designer has worked, and ask about their experience.

Location: Technology has made this less of a factor. At Atom Graphics, we have several long-distance clients and maintain excellent relationships this way. However, if face-to-face meetings are important to you, choose a designer located in the same city as you.

Atom Graphics