Design Communication
I was recently asked to come up with a presentation to show management different ways they could communicate to design teams to communicated their ideas and views. Being a designer myself I know it feels like we have to become mind readers in order to figure out what they want in the design. There was a nice post on here before about designers giving what they have heard before on management telling them what they want, such as, "make it POP more". If anyone has an tips/points that could be useful for communication between management and designers please let me know.
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Creative Brief
What you are looking for is called a 'creative brief'. It's a document outlining all aspects of a creative job/project.
Examples:
http://www.ehow.com/how_2156407_write-creative-marketing-brief.html?ref=fuel
http://www.aiga.org/resources/content/4/3/5/3/documents/aiga_cb_crbriefart.pdf
Most of the time management doesn't have a clue what they want except they know the 'context' of what they want as compared to what's in the market. They want something that's 'just like' something else.
I'm working on a website right now for a company whose creative brief states grungy and clean. This is a contradiction, and the creative brief seeks to get more specific than 'make it pop' or 'make the logo bigger' so everyone knows what's expected from a project. :)
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Powerpoint is not a design application
My latest web design work
Very good question
...in some presentations I use giant notepads( for presentations) and use doodles along with words as I speak to convey a message. Sometimes, I hand management the marker and try to get them to sketch their ideas down, maybe even give examples and references to help.
suggestion
Any suggestions/examples such as saying instead of having one person critique their work and give their personal opinion to have others look at the work as well. Anything you may have encountered that worked during your experiences?
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Not sure what you mean?
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Powerpoint is not a design application
My latest web design work
How would you comment "if
How would you comment "if you could without getting fired" to a manager after giving you less than adequate feedback? What could you tell them to do or say when giving feedback and their personal ideas?
Hand them the creative brief
Hand them the creative brief (see my post above) and have them fill it out. Tell them this is the quickest, most efficient and therefore CHEAPEST way to get the job done. Tell them you are saving them money by getting their input with a creative brief.
Once the brief is set and agreed upon, you refer to that anytime a manager has the need to make unnecessary modifications. :)
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Powerpoint is not a design application
My latest web design work
Personalize it for your
Personalize it for your inter-company relations. Have the manager's input into designing this communication piece so that he/she can't come back on you. An extra bonus? They will feel the need to use it since they were part of its implementation.
ttfn!
3dogmama