Design Job Procedure: Brief to Delivery

Purpose. This procedure sets the stages every design job must pass through from the first client conversation to delivered files and archive, and the records kept at each stage.

1.Stage 1: brief and job number

The Design Studio Manager or a senior designer will meet the client, complete the Creative Brief Template and confirm scope, audience, deliverables, budget and deadline in writing. A job number must be created on the Project and Job Board before any design work starts. Work without a job number will not be invoiced.

2.Stage 2: research and concept

The designer must research the client's sector, audience and competitors and record sources against the job. Two or three concepts will be developed and reviewed by a peer before presentation. Concepts must be presented with rationale that links each decision to the brief.

3.Stage 3: client approval gates

The client must approve the concept in writing before artwork begins, and approve final artwork in writing before files are released. Amendments beyond the two rounds included in the quote will be quoted separately and approved before work continues. Approvals must be attached to the job record.

• Concept approval
• Artwork approval
• Print proof approval
• Final file release

4.Stage 4: artwork and pre-flight

Artwork must be built at final size with correct colour mode, bleed, safe area and resolution for the output. Typography must be checked for widows, orphans, rivers and consistent styles. Before release the designer must run the pre-flight checklist and a second designer must check fonts, links, colour, bleed and spelling.

• Document size, bleed and safe area
• Colour mode and profiles
• Image resolution and links
• Fonts embedded or outlined
• Spelling and content against approved copy
• Printer or platform specification met

5.Stage 5: delivery and licensing

Files will be delivered in the formats stated in the brief and named using the studio file naming convention. The licence for any fonts, stock images or third-party material must be recorded in the Media Asset Library before delivery. The invoice will be raised on the day of delivery.

6.Stage 6: review and archive

Within two weeks of delivery the designer and the Design Studio Manager will complete a short post-job review recording what worked, what did not and the hours against quote. Final files and approvals will be archived in the Media Asset Library and the job closed on the Project and Job Board.