I suggest to all of my clients to look at any new logo or website design and then sleep on it. Then look at it again.

Do not send email with comments on design. Please call to discuss.

I find the first instinct of most clients is to point out what they “don’t like”. This is helpful, but not as helpful as telling me what you do like and the direction you would like to go in.

Example of un-helpful critique: “We don’t like the background.”
This is not helpful because this only eliminates one of infinite options and does not give us any direction.

Example of helpful critique: “We like the background color choice, but would like to use another pattern. Maybe a more linear design.”
Now we know what specifically to change and we don’t waste your time by showing you backgrounds in different colors.

Give examples of websites that have some of the look and feel you are looking for.

I give these examples to help the design process go as efficiently as possible. I am usually charging my client by the hour and want to help my client stay within their budget. Through a phone discussion, we can apply a question and answer discussion, that can be more efficient and less frustrating than through many emails.

Posted: May 28th, 2008 under Logo Design, General Website Design Knowledge, Rodman Design.
Comments: none

My background in the design field started with a degree in Painting from the Maryland Institute of Art. Moving to Chicago 20 some years ago I started creating nightclub flyers, concert posters and small business ads with a rapidograph pen and rub-on letters.
The desktop computer came along I soon welcomed it with open arms. Imagine being able to look at the same ad with a hundred different font choices by simply pointing and clicking, or changing the color and size of something without having to redraw it.
I became interested in the internet as soon as it started to evolve from its DOS type interface. Laying out web pages with drop and drag programs over ten years ago led me to want to understand the nuts and bolts behind this new medium — programming.
My client’s needs fueled my interest and took Rodman Design down the path of starting to build custom database driven applications.

- Dave Rodman

Posted: June 27th, 2007 under Rodman Design.
Comments: none