Understanding the process of design

Web design and it's process

Understanding the way us designers think!

So you have got an idea for a website, you have chosen the name, the style of site you would like and the name. Now it's time to choose your designer/s, at this point you get a little scared don't you?.

I understand most honest web designers/ developers do, it is a very scary time you are a little apprehensive about handing over a deposit and possibly a huge wad of cash to someone you may have only met a few times. Don't worry I will take you through the process of doing this that may or may not put your mind at ease.

First of all the checks to make before deciding on your chosen one!

1. Are they affiliated with any organizations
2. Do they have a decent portfolio
3. Is there testimonials that you can ask for or see that you can call or email for verification
4. Do they have the skill set to provide what you want
5. How large of a deposit do they require
6. Do they have an easy payment option

Now first lets just make clear some of the above points are not exhaustive but they are the basic ones.

Lets look at them more closely:

1.  affiliations are important but at the moment there is no clear group or organization that operates for web designers but there is one for graphic or artists. There is also a start up group called UKWDA they are trying to create a standard for web designers.
2. The size of a portfolio is not important but the quality is, do they meet W3C standards the new web standard and does it look as if they pay very close attention to detail. It is not important that maybe they have not done your type of design or site before as this is not what you are looking for flexibility in design and standards is.
3. Testimonials a very important but be wary always make sure to ask can i contact this person who left the testimonial as some unscrupulous ones are faking these testimonials , Not Good! so always double check honest designers won't mind.
4. Now skill set is important if you are unsure if they can provide what you want ask for examples or a mock up of the type of site you want very important this one it will help you decide if they can deliver the goods.
5. Large deposits can be scary how do you know they are not going to disappear with your money, best way to be assured of this get it in writing like a contract and always have the designers full postal and contact details, ask for these if they are honest they won't mind providing them to you. Also negotiate a smaller deposit if you are unsure typically myself i charge 25% as a deposit not a huge amount but some charge anything from 10% - 70% typically up to 50% is considered ok.
6. Payment options at the end of your design process can help alleviate any concerns you may have, ask the designer if you are unsure can they provide smaller payments monthly. Now I am not saying here that designers who don't provide this are not trustworthy far from it, as i do know personally quite a few who don't provide this but a very trustworthy indeed so don't be thinking that just because they don't provide such a service they are not trustworthy it's just a suggestion at this point.

Now I myself provide a monthly payment plan as this helps the customer feel at home and feel as though they are getting something for their money every month.

Now we said at the beginning that we where going to help you understand the process truth is all designers have different processes but i myself use this one most do.

1. We collect the information regarding the site functions and design
2. we create a mock design
3. we make changes based on your feedback
4. we develop the functions
5. we make changes based on your feedback
6. we plug design into functioning site
7. we launch site

These are some of our processes and most designers deliver their services based on a similar mindset and process. Your designer if he is a good one will always keep you informed what step you are on and constantly ask for feedback from you after all it is your site.

Well i have gone into a lot here but it is not exhaustive here if there is anything i missed out please do comment and let our readers know.

 Jonathan Service (Designer / Developer / Director)
Jonathan is the owner of a design agency in Belfast, UK