Graphic Design Checklist

### **1. Define Project Scope** - **Objective**: Understand the purpose of the design (e.g., marketing campaign, website banner, logo). - **Deliverables**: Identify the specific items needed (e.g., flyers, social media graphics, brochures). - **Target Audience**: Clearly define the audience to tailor the design accordingly. - **Budget and Timeline**: Set clear expectations for budget and project deadlines. --- ### **2. Research and Inspiration** - **Competitor Analysis**: Research competitors’ designs to understand industry trends and differentiate your work. - **Mood Boards**: Create a mood board to visualize color schemes, typography, and design styles. - **Brand Guidelines**: Review existing brand guidelines for consistency (colors, fonts, logos). --- ### **3. Choose Design Elements** - **Color Palette**: - Select colors that resonate with the brand and evoke the right emotions. - Ensure good contrast for readability and accessibility. - **Typography**: - Choose a font that aligns with the brand’s identity (e.g., modern, playful, formal). - Limit to 2–3 fonts to maintain visual cohesion. - **Imagery**: - Use high-quality images or illustrations that support the message. - Ensure all images are properly licensed or sourced from stock libraries. - **Icons and Graphics**: - Select or create icons and graphics that complement the overall design and don't distract from the message. --- ### **4. Layout and Composition** - **Grid System**: - Use grids to organize elements and create a balanced design. - Ensure consistency in margins, padding, and spacing. - **Hierarchy**: - Establish a visual hierarchy using size, color, and positioning to guide the viewer's eye. - Highlight key information (e.g., headlines, calls-to-action). - **White Space**: - Utilize white space effectively to prevent overcrowding and improve readability. - **Alignment**: - Maintain alignment of text and elements to create a clean, structured look. --- ### **5. Design Software and Tools** - **Choose the Right Software**: - Use appropriate tools based on the project (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva, Figma). - **File Formats**: - Determine required file formats for final deliverables (e.g., .PSD, .AI, .PNG, .SVG, .PDF). - **Templates**: - Use pre-made templates when appropriate to save time and maintain consistency. --- ### **6. Design Process** - **Sketching/Prototyping**: - Create rough sketches or wireframes to conceptualize the design. - Present initial drafts to the client/team for feedback before diving into full design. - **Layer Management**: - Organize layers clearly and name them for easy navigation, especially in complex designs. - **Use of Effects**: - Apply shadows, gradients, and other effects sparingly to avoid cluttering the design. --- ### **7. Text and Content** - **Copy Placement**: - Ensure text is placed in a way that’s visually balanced and easy to read. - Keep paragraphs short and ensure sufficient line spacing. - **Consistency**: - Ensure font sizes, colors, and formatting are consistent throughout the design. - **Spell Check**: - Double-check all text for spelling and grammar errors before finalizing the design. --- ### **8. Accessibility and Usability** - **Readability**: - Ensure text is legible on both small and large screens. - Avoid using overly decorative fonts for long paragraphs. - **Color Contrast**: - Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background to make it accessible to all users, including those with visual impairments. - **Scalability**: - Design with scalability in mind, especially for logos and icons. They should look good at various sizes. --- ### **9. Feedback and Revisions** - **Internal Review**: - Review the design with the internal team to ensure brand consistency and message clarity. - **Client Feedback**: - Present the design to the client for feedback and be open to revisions. - Create multiple versions if necessary to give the client options to choose from. - **Iterative Changes**: - Make revisions based on feedback, focusing on improving the design’s effectiveness without compromising creativity. --- ### **10. Final Checks** - **Resolution**: - Ensure the design is in the correct resolution for its intended use (e.g., 300 DPI for print, 72 DPI for web). - **File Formats**: - Export files in the required formats for delivery (e.g., .JPEG for web, .PDF for print). - **Print Specifications**: - For print projects, ensure correct bleed, trim, and safety zones are set. - Confirm with the printer about CMYK color mode and other technical specifications. - **Proofing**: - Proof the design thoroughly, checking all elements, fonts, and alignment before sending it off. --- ### **11. Delivery and Handoff** - **Client Handoff**: - Deliver the final files in the agreed format, ensuring all versions (e.g., for print and web) are included. - **Editable Files**: - Provide editable files (.PSD, .AI, or .INDD) if required, along with a usage guide. - **Backup**: - Ensure a backup of the final design and source files is stored securely. --- ### **12. Post-Launch Review** - **Gather Feedback**: - Collect feedback from users or customers to see how well the design is received. - **Performance Metrics**: - For web or social media designs, track performance (engagement, clicks, conversions) to measure success. - **Future Improvements**: - Keep track of any insights for improving future designs, including what worked well and what can be enhanced. --- By following this **Graphic Design Checklist**, you'll ensure a professional and streamlined design process, resulting in high-quality visuals that align with your client’s goals and brand identity.