The Design Process

Stage 1

The client puts out a Request For Proposal (RFP).

Definition: A Request For Proposal (RFP) is a solicitation, often made through a bidding process, by an agency or company interested in procurement of a commodity, service or valuable asset, to potential suppliers to submit business proposals.¹

The designer (and team) begin to research the client and assess the current site so they can create a proposal. Proposals should include, but are not limited to:

1. Reiterate what the client needs.
2. Alternate options/ideas of what you will do for the client.
3. An estimate, both for time and cost, based on each option provided.
4. A timeline indicating milestones, key dates, etc.

You'll then create a presentation with all the above info. It's also nice (but not necessary) to include your background, initial impressions of the site, and what you hope to accomplish. 

Get the Job!

Next Steps

Once you get the work, a Statement of Work (SOW) should be put together.

Definition: A statement of work (SOW) is a formal document that captures and defines the work activities, deliverables, and timeline a vendor must execute in performance of specified work for a client. The SOW usually includes detailed requirements and pricing, with standard regulatory and governance terms and conditions.²

This should include:

1. Your understanding of the project and your recommendations.
2. Scope of work to be done; be clear on the number of pages so that if it increases, it's clear that the estimate will be effected.

Continue to educate yourself and your team about your client, its audience and competitors, but proceed with caution! At this stage, minimal time should be spent on the project - only complete necessary items to obtain the client. Until you have agreeable terms and signed documents, no design work should be completed. 



Stage 2

Kick-off Meeting

• Discuss goals, target audience and site needs.
• Talk about technical requirements.
• Further assess the current site if necessary.
• Find out about your client's design preferences.
• Get a list of the client's favorite sites and inspiration.
• Adjectives of what the client wants to achieve.

Pre-Production

• Conduct market research - find out what your clients don't know about their audience.
• Competitive analysis
• User Interviews - talk to users about their experience with current site and ideal site, what's important to them, aesthetic preferences, etc.
• Begin Information Architecture (IA) research and create site organization.
• Create a sitemap and user flow (these are not the same).
• Begin wireframes.

Before you begin designing, think about the client's Identity/Branding:

• Will it remain the same?
• Do they have a style guide?
• Has it been scoped to update it?

Stage 3

Website Design

• Design Sketches
• Content development from Client and Producer
• Design 2-4 creative design directions with homepage, subpage and content/detail page.
• Present to client to choose design direction
• Revisions
• Design Approvals
• Screen Development
• Design Approvals
• Graphics Production
• Final Design Approvals
• CSS/HTML Programming
• Backend CMS Programming
• Site Approvals throughout this process 
• Testing
• Quality Assurance (QA)
• Site goes LIVE!

References:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Request_for_proposal
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statement_of_work