New Work Friday (and a little soapbox time, for good measure)

February has proven to be a busy one for UD+M. We've been working hard to close some on-going projects and are excited about starting some new ones. Keep your eye on the website for some new work. 

In the meantime, here's a peek at a few current projects.

D3 DEVELOPMENT, a local product design company contacted UD+M at the beginning of the month to discuss branding for their ingenious product, the READY HANG™ curtain rod system. This great new product removes the need for drilling into your when to hang your window coverings. (Stay tuned to the Home Shopping Network for their feature. Hopefully you'll see them in a certain home improvement store as well!)

We're still in the process of developing both the product logo and product packaging, but here's a look at the intial concepts for the packaging:

It's always a pleasure working with clients who understand the importance of the design process and can value quality over speed. I spent 3 hours walking the aisles of Target, Home Depot and Lowe's analyzing competitor design, similar home decor product lines, and other products that D3's target market purchase. Another 2 hours were spent doing the same online.

I think this part of the process (the DEFINE phase...more on that later) is probably my favorite part of any project. That's where ideas start forming like bubbles on the bottom of the pot of water. I see them, make note, and turn down the heat just enough to keep them at bay. It's not time yet. 

I picked up a little quip, somewhere along the way, that like to use to explain value to my clients: 

There are 3 main attributes to a project: GOOD, FAST, and CHEAP. You can choose two.

It can be GOOD and FAST, but it won't be CHEAP.

It can be GOOD and CHEAP, but it won't be FAST.

It can be FAST and CHEAP, but you can bet that it's not gonna be GOOD.

Sure, it may come across a little brash, but it makes incredible sense (These guys even made a great interactive visual to show to your more 'dense' clients). In a technological age where generic logos can be pumped out at a factory pace, value of design (and quality design, in general) has been lost. Along with value, designers under the pressure of unrealistic deadlines have also abandoned the design process...aaaaand, another rabbit trail...

UD+M brands itself as EFFECTIVE DESIGN. We make things pretty, and we make them work. In order to do that, attention to the purpose of the branding is crucial. That's why UD+M's design process is probably the most important asset to our business. It lays the foundational groundwork before a single concept even takes shap on paper (and yes, pen/paper IS part of the design process...another undervalued step for young designers).

So, here's how we go about our work...What? You expected me to keep it a secret? It's not like it's some Italian family recipe that we hold in a sauce jar on the top cabinet...

It starts with the BRANDING process and moves seamlessly into the DESIGN process. (Those who don't care about the logistics of design, here's some cool t-shirts to look at!)

BRANDING

Evaluation of existing brand and marketing strategies

Collection of comprehensive details about the client, its audience, market, competition and objectives

Presentation of findings and consequential solutions which may include: color schemes, type usage, brand positioning, marketing plan, etc.)

Supervision of advertising, public relations and/or direct marketing campaigns

DESIGN

DEFINE

Project Scope Meeting

Collection of comprehensive details about the client, its audience, market, competition and project objectives

DESIGN

Aesthetic conceptualization of project based on findings in the DEFINE phase

Initial presentation of concepts

Appropriate revisions to concepts or approval of design

DEVELOP

(This phase is dependant on the project. Specific projects will warrant additional steps, but all designs will follow a basic process as listed below. )

Application of brand identity

Formatting designs for appropriate usage in varying situations

Production supervision (Press check, web project management, etc.)

All that said, if the design is valued by the client, it will naturally be valued by the designer. That value will be translated into devotion to creating an effective final product, which translates back to the client in the form of ROI of design and a quality customer experience.

If you're interested in hearing more about UD+M's process or would like to see more work, feel free to contact us or visit the website. I love coffee and will take any excuse to sit down to a cup and some good conversation.

(nod to Grapefruit for the basis for UD+M's process)