Information Designer for Hire: what to expect
Whilst you may have had experience working with graphics or branding designers in the past, the process to develop an infographic does have some differences.
Ask any graphics designer who’s been asked to convert a 20 page report into an image, and chances are they’ll tell you that designing an infographic requires a whole new set of skills. I think of myself as a designer-meets-journalist-meets-number-cruncher – as the content needs editing, selecting and crafting, and *then* designing.
Your input is vital to the success of the project – you know what you want and you know your industry – it’s up to you to point out the important information and decide on your message.
Here is a run down of they process:
Initial Decision
So you’ve decided your company needs an infographic.
You may have a good idea of what needs communicating (ie you’re end of year finances, a new process or a summary of your work) or you may have simply heard the word, and feel you should get on board.
Knowing what you want communicating (the concept as opposed to the specific content) is important and will save you time . It’s also worth thinking about a few key things, as they will be useful to know at the start of the process:
what are you trying to communicate?
What are you trying to achieve with the infographic?
who is your audience?
is this for online, print or both?
what is your deadline?
what is your budget?
do you have the information, or do you want me to source it?
You will be asked more questions as the process goes on but these are a good starting point.
Initial Contact
Normally via email or social media asking about prices and timescale
Much of my work comes in via email, Twitter or Linkedin – with a client contacting me with a tentative query about costings. It’s still a relatively new area of design and few designers (including myself) put prices on their websites. (This is because every job is different. Pricing is based on final output, amount of research required and how quickly you need it).
I’m usually happy to give a ballpark figure but always ask for more information before giving an official quote.
Many designers quote by the hour – I quote per job. I find this puts everyone at ease (including myself). Of course, I have contingency plans in place if the project spirals out of control through changes by the client – but these are explained fully with my initial quote.
I’ll give a full and detailed price quote once we have completed the next stage, the initial discussion.
First Discussion
An opportunity for us to set out initial ideas, and discuss the project in great depth
Your initial conversation with your infographic designer is key. It’s your time to explain what you want, or be honest and say you don’t really know *what* you want. Make sure you have as much information as possible to hand.
Treat it like a first date – find out as much as you can about each other, the process and how each other works. From this you can decide if working together is right for you.
I may do some rough sketching whilst we are talking, so we can make sure we understand each other.
I also tend to have my project manager on hand during this first meeting. She will take notes and help build a solid project going forward.
Full Quote
Once I have a better understanding of the job, and we have worked out the basic aims and objectives, I will send over a final quote, before starting any work. Depending on the extent of the work, I may quote via email, or you will receive a more formal breakdown of the elements and associated costs. This would also include details of what the quote does (and doesn’t) include.
Depending on the size of the job/length of time it will take, I sometimes ask for 30% or 50% upfront.
First Drafts
A series of draft ideas to show you some options of layout and theme/styling
One we’ve had the initial discussions I’ll begin developing a series of options. Here I’ll be exploring 2 areas:
content layout
styling / theme / concept
I will usually send few dramatically different images (by PDF or image file), each one showing a different layout and theme, but you can mix and match if you prefer. Of course, you also have the option to scrap all 3 options, and offer feedback or guidance as to why you don’t feel they’re right.
These will not be fully completed images (the themes often develop over time) so I’d ask you to be prepared for some changes in the future and any temporary placeholder content in the image.
One you’ve selected a content layout and theme I will start work on the final image.
Work In Progress
An opportunity for you to see a part-completed image, and make sure you’re happy with the direction
As I said above, this is a collaboration, so I will be checking in with you as I design the final image. This could be for several reasons:
if I shift dramatically from the original image
if I want to confirm you are still happy with image
to avoid the disappointment of you not liking the final image
I may send whole images, or part of images to make sure you’re happy.
Final Proof Image
The final image – before spell-check and final tweaks, for you to approve
Once I’ve worked up a final image I sent it over for you to review. This image may still have typos, spelling errors and require more precise tweaking, but I always leave these until you are is 100% happy with the image (no point pixel-checking content that may change!)
You will then be asked to confirm the content, make any final changes (if major changes it will lead to further charges) and run it past your team (if necessary).
Proof-reading / final tweaks
I employ a proof reader to check final images in terms of spelling mistakes, statistics and grammar issues. If you stare at an image for so long, it’s easy for errors to slip through the net. I also ask you/your team to check the final information as well – the more eyes the better.
Once I’ve made any changes I will tidy the image up, make sure everything is aligned etc. and prepare a final files for you (depending on their requirements)
Final Image
Final image is sent over and once you have given it the final OK, I will invoice for the full/balance amount.