Starting a graphic design project is exciting! You have a goal in mind, and now the project is underway.
But when someone asks, “What are you looking for?” it can suddenly feel tough to explain.
That’s completely normal. Turning a feeling or business vision into visuals isn’t always easy, especially if you haven’t done it before. Graphic design is a team effort, and we work with you to turn “I’ll know it when I see it” into a design you can confidently put in front of your audience.
We created this guide to help you get ready for your kick-off call, even if you have more questions than answers.
Lead with a Feeling
If you have brand guidelines or a favorite font, bring them. We’ll use your existing assets and incorporate them into the design. If you don’t have these yet, don’t worry about creating them before your call.
Instead, focus on how you want people to feel when they see your brand. Identify the experience you want to create. Should your brand feel trustworthy and professional, energetic and bold, or approachable and warm? Emotional cues affect design decisions and give us a better idea of the visual experience you want to convey.
Try finishing this sentence: “When someone sees our brand, I want them to feel ___.” Your answer helps us know where to begin.
Gather Examples
Bring a few designs you like to your kick-off call. We’ll use them to better understand your style and goals. The examples don’t need to be from your industry. If you like the clean look of a tech brand or the cozy feel of a coffee shop’s visuals, show us.
Look through websites, Instagram, or even packaging and signs you’ve seen recently. Save anything that stands out to you, write down why you like it, and note any styles you want to avoid. The more details you share, the better we can match your preferences.
Bring What You Have
Clients reach out to us at all stages. You can share a rough sketch or any content you’ve already written. If you have brochure copy or know the tone you want for your brand, let us know early. We design around your message, so having content upfront helps us plan the layout and fonts.
Our kick-off call centers on understanding what you’re working toward, and sharing as much detail as possible helps us turn your concept into a finished design.
Know Your Audience Better Than Your Own Preferences
Effective design resonates with the people you want to reach. Tell us about your audience so we can design for them.
Work through these questions before your call:
- Who is your ideal customer? (age, profession, lifestyle, values)
- Where will they encounter your design? (online, in-person, print, social media)
- What do they care about? What do they need to feel before they trust your business?
- Who are your competitors, and how do you want to stand apart from them?
We design for your audience, not for the sake of design trends. Our work balances your brand’s identity with what your audience expects, so your design feels familiar and connects with people.
Plan for the future of Your Design
Before your call, think about where your design might show up besides this project. Your new logo could appear on trade show displays or merchandise later on. Knowing your long-term plans helps us make choices that will work for your brand in the future.
If you’re planning other projects, like a website update or a new print campaign, let us know. We can design with future uses in mind, so everything stays consistent as your brand grows.
Talk About Your Business
If this is our first time working together, we’ll start by talking about the business behind the brand. What do you do? What makes you different? What’s your story? What are you building toward?
Design is how your business appears to the world. We want to know who you are and what you want to accomplish, so we can use your story to guide our design choices. You don’t need a formal pitch. Talk to us about your business like you would with a friend.
Meet the Graphic Designer Behind Your Project
Your kick-off call is your first conversation with the graphic designer on your project. We make sure you can put a face to your work from day one.
Our in-house team will be your point of contact throughout the entire process. As your project moves forward, you’ll share feedback and work on changes with the same people you met at the start. You’ll always know who’s working on your design, and we’ll always know your vision.
It’s Okay to Say “I’m Not Sure”
We mean it. We don’t expect you to show up to a design kick-off with all the answers. Having a starting point, like a reference or a general idea, gives us something to build on. We’ll handle the rest from there.
Throughout the process, we’ll share design concepts and keep the conversation open so you know where the project stands. Transparency is a big part of how we work.
We also appreciate honest feedback. If you’re ever unsure about a design idea, let us know. Your kick-off call is a two-way conversation, and we value your input.
A Prep Checklist Before Your Graphic Design Kick-Off Call
If you want an easy way to prepare for the call, check off these items before we meet:
- Gather any and all brand assets that could influence the design of your project
- Write down 3–5 words that describe how you want your brand to feel
- Save 3–5 examples of brands or designs you like (and why)
- Note 1–2 styles or looks you want to avoid
- Describe your ideal customer in a few sentences
- List platforms where your new design could appear in the future
- Think about what makes your business unique
That’s all you need. You’re ready.
We’re the team behind your team
Many of your questions will be answered during the kick-off call. However, if something’s on your mind before then, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re happy to help you feel prepared before we get on the call.
You can bring a list of questions to our meeting if you’d like. We made this guide so you can feel confident joining the call. Graphic design is a team effort, and we truly enjoy working with clients every step of the way.
Thank you for choosing us for your graphic design project.
