Read on Twitter
In this project, the "hadouken" element in the logo was realized after I sat and learned about what the client values most.
Let's talk a bit about one of the most powerful tools in a designer's toolbox: Conversation. https://twitter.com/kennleandre/status/1329334790323982337
Let's talk a bit about one of the most powerful tools in a designer's toolbox: Conversation. https://twitter.com/kennleandre/status/1329334790323982337
Unlike artists and illustrators, designers exist in the unique space btwn a creative talent & a technical consultant.
Our role isn't just to make artworks for the client. We are primarily a SOLUTIONS PROVIDER. The best thing a designer can do for to SOLVE PROBLEMS & ADD VALUE
Our role isn't just to make artworks for the client. We are primarily a SOLUTIONS PROVIDER. The best thing a designer can do for to SOLVE PROBLEMS & ADD VALUE
"Solving Problems" is the surface-level part of your service. Client(s) will reach out to you saying "I need a logo/poster/website etc. how much will this cost?"
That's just how 99% of transactional conversations go. The next step will help elevate your engagement w/ the client
That's just how 99% of transactional conversations go. The next step will help elevate your engagement w/ the client
"Adding value" means the Designer's job is to first understand the client's aspirations for the company/organisation.
This can only come through when you can engage them in meaningful conversation. However, the client rep must also be able to engage meaningfully.
This can only come through when you can engage them in meaningful conversation. However, the client rep must also be able to engage meaningfully.
The best creative output comes from a creative talent (you) and a shotcaller (client).
If you happen to speak with a junior staff at a big org, request to speak with a DECISION MAKER or STAKEHOLDER. I cannot stress how important this is.
If you happen to speak with a junior staff at a big org, request to speak with a DECISION MAKER or STAKEHOLDER. I cannot stress how important this is.
"I want an X for my business"
Now, you must find out:
1. What's the nature of the org? (who)
2. What is their current KPI? (what)
3. What is the function of X (how)
4. Is X the correct solution for them? (why)
5. Is the ROI coming in short/long-term? (when)
Now, you must find out:
1. What's the nature of the org? (who)
2. What is their current KPI? (what)
3. What is the function of X (how)
4. Is X the correct solution for them? (why)
5. Is the ROI coming in short/long-term? (when)
X can be any creative project that requires your talent. It can be a website, a logo, a namecard, a t-shirt, whatever.
Moving forward, I'll use @Kakuchopurei as a case study. Upon engagement, I sat down with the client to learn those 5 key points
Moving forward, I'll use @Kakuchopurei as a case study. Upon engagement, I sat down with the client to learn those 5 key points
Who: A video games news website
What: Traffic growth
How: A logo thats easy to relate to, and to start conversations
Why: Organisation is fresh, needs a visual identity for growth
When: The logo will remain part of the brand for at least several years
What: Traffic growth
How: A logo thats easy to relate to, and to start conversations
Why: Organisation is fresh, needs a visual identity for growth
When: The logo will remain part of the brand for at least several years
Answering the 5 Qs will help you mentally craft a SOLUTION PLAN for the client. Maybe they already have a fixed set of items that need to be made. Maybe what they originally thought they needed was off the mark.
From here, you can ADD VALUE to your client with your experience.
From here, you can ADD VALUE to your client with your experience.
'Adding value' does NOT mean upselling.
You are not sitting there waiting to TAKE THEIR MONEY.
The value you are adding is for the BENEFIT of the client. You want them to feel like your TIME and WORK is WORTH PAYING FOR.
This is the key mindset as you approach the next step.
You are not sitting there waiting to TAKE THEIR MONEY.
The value you are adding is for the BENEFIT of the client. You want them to feel like your TIME and WORK is WORTH PAYING FOR.
This is the key mindset as you approach the next step.
So how do you add value?
Take the time to learn about the client. Which is why you must try to engage with a stakeholder. They steer that boat, they call the shots. The stakeholder and/or decision maker will know their targets and expectations. You MUST learn those targets.
Take the time to learn about the client. Which is why you must try to engage with a stakeholder. They steer that boat, they call the shots. The stakeholder and/or decision maker will know their targets and expectations. You MUST learn those targets.
Understanding where the client finds value in their business helps to establish a 'destination' for your creative process. Let's go back to KKP.
I sat down with the editor-in-chief and asked about his aspirations for the news portal.
I sat down with the editor-in-chief and asked about his aspirations for the news portal.
As you hold this conversation, don't be afraid to whip out your sketchbook and draw in front of them. Doodle away and ask them for opinions. Offer them a pen and ask them to draw what they visualise in their head. Get them involved in the process, and do it FROM THE START.
One of the reasons why a lot of designers get shit feedback is because the agency boss meets the client somewhere WITHOUT the designer. Boss comes back with a brief, asks you to design stuff. You submit the design, client rejects it. So much time spent but nobody is happy.
As a freelance/independent, you have the freedom is DIRECTLY ENGAGING your client. Not only that, you have the freedom to IGNITE THEIR OWN CREATIVITY.
Allow your client to intellectually and emotionally invest in the work. No, they don't HAVE to draw anything, at all.
Allow your client to intellectually and emotionally invest in the work. No, they don't HAVE to draw anything, at all.
When you bring the client into the creative process, you allow them the freedom to mentally play and draw from the personal experiences and aspirations. A lot of people find it difficult to put their dreams & ambitions into words
Add value by giving your client a CREATIVE VOICE!
Add value by giving your client a CREATIVE VOICE!
The STAKEHOLDER explained his vision not just for the news portal, but for the brand itself as a cultural presence in the long-term. I started drawing, I got him to draw. We went back-and-forth until I understood where he stands, where he comes from and where he's going.
During our conversation we talked about UI elements in games. We blue-skied ideas and wrote them down. We sketched and we doodled. The exchange was alive.
That's when the moment hit us like a truck: a video game news agency with a playful nature!
Entire generations have adapted their thumbs to work gamepads over the decades, and most (if not all of them) would recognise a certain input combo. More so on an arcade stick.
Entire generations have adapted their thumbs to work gamepads over the decades, and most (if not all of them) would recognise a certain input combo. More so on an arcade stick.
So we arrived a creative pit stop.
Designer and Client were on the same page, walking towards the same destination. For us, that pit stop looked something like this.
Designer and Client were on the same page, walking towards the same destination. For us, that pit stop looked something like this.
1-2 days later I texted @kennleandre in the middle of the night (I kid you not) and sent him the drafts I made.
It was the dead of night and my itchy fingers kept fiddling around in Illustrator. I was in "The Zone", just mindlessly making shit and sending out screenshots.
It was the dead of night and my itchy fingers kept fiddling around in Illustrator. I was in "The Zone", just mindlessly making shit and sending out screenshots.
KAKUCHO PUREI (カクチョウプレー)is Japanese for 'extended play'.
I played with the characters プレ and that's how we arrived at this logo. It wasn't just my work, but the client also creatively participated in the process literally from scratch.
I played with the characters プレ and that's how we arrived at this logo. It wasn't just my work, but the client also creatively participated in the process literally from scratch.
We then got playful and put a whole arcade stick on the back on the namecards.
Recipients of said namecards have reacted by instinctively holding is like a gamepad and their thumbs start moving. Without reading a press kit, they instantly understood the logo and its meaning.
Recipients of said namecards have reacted by instinctively holding is like a gamepad and their thumbs start moving. Without reading a press kit, they instantly understood the logo and its meaning.
Not only was the client extremely satisfied with the results, they can claim ownership and have been extremely generous with referring my abilities to new potential clients.
That's what it means for a DESIGNER like you to SOLVE PROBLEMS and ADD VALUE.
• Engage in conversations
• Learn your clients
• Involve them creatively
When you add value & solve their problems, they will add value back to you & solve YOUR problems. Like magic.
• Engage in conversations
• Learn your clients
• Involve them creatively
When you add value & solve their problems, they will add value back to you & solve YOUR problems. Like magic.
