Services with a Smile

Our Process (The 3 F's)

Every creative agency has their own version of the development process in some multi-step format (typically alliterative because it's easy to remember) that provides a framework for accomplishing all the necessary steps to carry your project to its successful completion. Whether we're creating a website or designing a logo, our workflow is to address the FOCUS, FORM and FUNCTION of your project, in that order. You may look at this process and say, "Wait, isn't it a universally recognized design principle that form follows function?" and you would be correct - when one is saying the word "function" and meaning "intent" as in the purpose of the thing you're designing. We actually cover the intent in the FOCUS stage, so by the time we get to FUNCTION, we're purely determining the nuts and bolts and actually creating the functionality or final implementation of your design. Get it? If not, don't worry, we'll go into more detail below.

Focus, Form, Function

Focus

The most important phase of your project happens before the design and implementation even begins. We determine the FOCUS of your project by investigating your needs as they relate to this specific undertaking and, if applicable, your business as a whole. The goals we set in this stage of the process become the foundation upon which your project is built, and we ask the following questions to determine what those goals will be.

WHY are we undertaking this project to begin with? This may seem like a silly question, but too often, our clients come to us with solutions instead of telling us about the problem they are trying to solve. You might tell us that you want a Flash website, but once we examine what you're trying to accomplish, who you're trying to reach and the kind of update schedule you'd like to maintain, we find that you actually need a WordPress blog. The last thing we want to do is build you a hammer when you need a screwdriver, so it's important that we take the time to address this question properly.

WHO is your target audience? Too often, the end-user is the last person considered when designing a website or creating a logo for your business. While your likes and preferences aren't completely irrelevant to the design process, it is more important that you look at your ideal customer and determine who they are and what we want them to think and do. All design and functionality decisions should be undertaken with that in mind.

WHERE will this project fit in with your business objectives and your current marketing efforts? A well-rounded brand is one that presents a congruent image with all of its moving parts working in concert toward the same goals. If your business cards and letterhead are freshly designed, but your website hasn't been updated since Y2K, you're likely to confuse your audience and undermine your message. Every new project should be viewed as part of the whole and should occupy a deliberate space within your brand.

Form

WHAT will your project look like? And we're not just talking design here - during this stage of the process, we also address the content of your project as the deisgn is in many ways determined by the quantity and arrangement of said content. It's important to realize that design is an iterative process that involves back and forth communication. The clarity and detail of the feedback we recieve during the revision process greatly effects the duration of said process.

Function

HOW is this going to work? We've designed your robot, now it's time to make it dance. During this phase we implement and troubleshoot the functional aspects of your project, or in the case of graphic design projects, we finalize and prep the files in whatever format needed whether it's print, web or a combination of both. It may also be time to answer questions regarding ongoing maintenance such as who's responsible for it and what kind of schedule needs to be followed.