To Move Forward, We Need to Work Backwards: Creating a Schedule

With any project, the schedule (and any firm or imagined deadline needs) will be discussed and outlined with client before work begins. To efficiently plan our work schedule together to move your project forward, we need to work backwards.

We start with your deadline/s: when you need a publication for an event, need a magazine or special invitation to land in your target audience’s mail box, when you want it done! We acquire print estimates (partnering with a variety of local and national printers, as well as online printers when resources are tight). We build in the time the printer needs to produce your final art (from packaging/uploading files to printer, review of pdf or hard-copy proofs — blue line phase — time for edits to blue-line, and then print). Once printed, the printer needs to allow drying time, time to trim/fold/assemble/bind/etc., and prepare for delivery to client or their recipients. Printers usually need 1 to 3 weeks to turn around a print job, depending upon complexity of piece.

Once we have the printer’s schedule, we can define the time needed for your design (again, working our way backwards on the calendar). We build in time for brainstorming, client feedback, and implementation of client direction into the schedule. We generally need a longer amount of design time at the beginning for brainstorming possibilities, and then less time as we go back and forth providing pdf sketches for your feedback; ideally refining the final piece until ready for print.

To keep the process moving smoothly, we request the client will to make, collect, and collate all edits as quickly and efficiently as possible. The client can take extra time on first round to be sure to catch all edits, in hopes that there are none or minimal edits after first round of alterations. We request at least 24-36 hours during the business week to make edits made to proof/s. 

When time is a factor, we offer a rolling review. With large publications, we like to deliver meaningful chunks of the publication as they are ready so that the client is not overwhelmed by having to review something all at once. While the client is reviewing the first chunk, Red can continue designing/styling the remaining pages…. always looking to move the client’s project forward!