How to make a simple custom Photoshop brush! Made easy. ( Updated )
Ever wanted to make your own Photoshop brush but never knew how? Fear not my design friend! This little tutorial will have you making your custom brushes in no time! ( hopefully ).
I have used these exact methods for various illustration and design projects over the years.
How to make a simple custom Photoshop brush – Answer Overview
An easy method to make a custom Photoshop brush is to either create your own shape or source a shape first. Once you have created your own shape by working with Black against White, you can use that selection to define a new custom brush. In short, you will need to make a selection around your shape and then “define brush preset” – this will then become your new brush.
You can use this method to make a wide selection of brush shapes, be it weave, denim, pencil, or any texture you can imagine.
Also, consider when making your custom Photoshop brush, how you would like it to flow and whether there are soft or hard edges. There is a wide variety of options you can experiment with when creating a custom brush in Photoshop.
How to make an easy Photoshop brush in 5 simple steps
Step 1 – Create The Brush Document
Photoshop Brush
1 ) Open Photoshop and create a new document – 300 x 300 px and 72 DPI for good measure, make sure the background is set to white. It should be noted that you can make this document larger or smaller but I tend to prefer working at a smaller scale.
If you prefer, you can copy the image above for free.
Step 2 – Draw Your Brush
2 ) Working in black and white (Shortcut ‘D’ for black and white), draw your brush shape in black in your new document.
Remember your brush shape needs to be dark /black when you come to creating your brush. For the sake of this tutorial, I have made mine a solid brush. See the black ‘blob’ above on the white background. That is the new brush being painted onto the new document in preparation.
Step 3 – Select Your Shape
3 ) Either by using the marquee tool or Apple + ‘a’ to select all (CTRL + A for windows) select your shape that is to become your brush. If the selection is active, you will see the ‘marching ants’ in Photoshop. If you have made your selection in preparation for the next stage, proceed to the next step!
Step 4 – Use Shape To Define a Brush
4 ) Go Edit > scroll down to ‘Define Brush Preset’ and click on it!
Step 5 – Name The Photoshop Brush
5 ) Label your brush, I called this one ‘blob’. Congratulations… it’s a blob!
Your new brush in the palette
Well done, you should now have designed your very own custom brush and saved it to your Brush library.
If you press F5 to look at your brush palette, you will see the brush you have just made at the bottom of your library. Why not open a new document and test out your newly created Photoshop tool, make ink splats, and draw faces.
This is just to set you on the path of making more awesome brushes.
Thank you for reading, if you would like some help with a project in Photoshop you can always drop me a line! Freelance Photoshopper!
For those who are interested in knowing more about my design process and workflow, this post is for you.
My creative graphic design process is explained in 7 easy-to-follow stages.
This post offers an inside look at how I approach design projects. From designing an eye-catching theme for a board game to creating a compelling landing page for a website, this step-by-step overview highlights my workflow and processes as a designer.
Design is a journey, and this is how I travel.
I advise anybody who is showing an active interest in working with me to take note of this post and try to read and consume as much of the information as possible. This post can also be hugely beneficial to those who have never worked with designers before and would like to understand the creative process.
I believe much of my design process is not too dissimilar to that of many other ‘creative’ and idea-based designers. However, I would also like to add that not all designers are the same. Our minds, education, and career paths can shape how we approach creative challenges.
I like to present myself as a ‘conceptual designer’ in a freelance and business setting. Offering ideas and solutions with a capable hand in delivering these ideas.
Having worked with a mixture of start-ups and companies with a history in product development, this has sculpted my approach and techniques when it comes to graphic design.
Does Graphic Design Have & Structure?
It should! Design for the most part, is applied and used in commercial environments. Be it for selling a product, an idea, or to convey some sort of message through the visual medium.
Graphic design can also play a pivotal part in the product itself. With this in mind, it should have some form of workflow and process and not be left to chaotic creativity alone. The creative process of design should, adhere to a structure that enables it to meet a brief with a precise outcome.
This need not inhibit creativity… On the contrary! A process can help the design with a mutually assured aim between the client setting the brief and the designer!
As an example, I have attached an image from the Aardman project were involved with. You can read more in the post.
My design process, whether for a board game, a crowdfunding campaign page, or digital content! Relies on a professional structure for both creating something that is ‘on brief’ and manages the project and client’s expectations in a piecemeal and controlled manner. As a designer and business owner, I try to avoid unexpected surprises.
My Creative Graphic Design Process – Table Of Contents
At these junctions, I encourage the client to approve what is shown and discussed before proceeding with the journey. You can imagine this as a fork in the road or a crossroads in which I will also act as a guide and sherpa. This method enables me to put my best foot forward and enables the design direction to remain focused. ( We don’t want to veer too far off the beaten path! )
Please see my information graphic for this stage of my creative design process!
1 ) Getting To Know The Client – Admin & Project Set Up
This is a crucial step in the process as with the rest of the steps. This also forms part of the pre-preparation stage.
This very first stage – which could easily be called step ‘0’ – is where all paperwork is signed, and documents are filled. It is all part of the grand plan.
In this step, I will also try to learn more about the client, their business intentions, and their project.
At this stage, I may or may not have already spoken to a client based on an initial discovery call. This call is to learn more about you or them, and whether I can help with the project.
From this call, I will either advise and offer my paid consultation service first, which can save money in the long term, or act as a bridge stage before the client fully commits to a project and budget. Or if they are ready, the steps will involve moving toward making a full project.
It is also important in this stage to discuss the matter of payment and when these payments need to be made.
Itemised examples of what will / may happen in this stage
Signing documents
Discussing what documentation needs to be created
Arranging payment and payment terms
Scope of work
Discussing copyright
And other administrative stages.
2 ) Collect Information, Research and Study Competition
After the correct paperwork is completed and signed, the in-depth creative stages of the design process can begin.
At this point, ask if you already have reference materials, images, fonts or pieces of relevant information for the project. I could also ask if you have any more research materials or ideas that could contribute to the design.,
In addition to this, I will likely carry out my own research to further buffer my inspiration and ideas.
I will also utilise this opportunity to study relevant competition to further guide my hand and thought process.
There are many synonyms I would like to use to describe this first phase of the design process. However, I feel the most accurate description would be ‘rough designs, iterations, or ideas‘.
You can also call it :
Sketching ideas, creating first roughs, hashing out ideas, getting ideas down on paper – any other associated wording to say ‘Rough’ ideas, and feeling my way through the early phase of a project. It is in this stage that I get into my stride of a project and immerse myself in the project.
Here are a couple of examples that my past clients were kind enough to allow me to use.
No design drafts at this stage are final or polished, nor am I precious about the proofs presented.
These first drafts are the foundational step in orienting the design direction of the project.
To further illustrate how this step works in the design process…
– With these early drafts, I will often refer to items on an art board with ‘A, B, C, D’. This is to help both me and the client to reference what design or designs we think are the strongest. It helps with communication.
Example 1 ) If ‘B’ is selected, I will then ‘develop ‘B’ and invest more time and energy to ‘make good’ that rough idea.
Example 2 ) Based on this early stage of creating rough designs, if a client says they like ‘B’ with elements of ‘D’ I will remain in this phase and create another idea based on that feedback. However, the more iterations created, the more time and budget are required. If there is more experimentation, this is likely to inflate time and budget, even more so if this is repeated a couple of times.
Creative Graphic Design Process – More examples of the ‘ideas phase’
To further illustrate this idea phase, here are some more samples of what can take place:-
Rough sketches and drawings on paper
Rough digital drawings
Scribbles ( Very, very early exploration of ideas )
Initial digital mock-ups ( as proof of concept )
Loose thumbnails ( small drawings )
A selection of ideas with labels
Annotated concepts showing reasoning
These are all tools and approaches required and used on a case-by-case basis for a client when working on a design project.
4 ) Developing the Initial Idea Towards A Final Design | Development
This phase is not unlike the 3rd phase on first appearances. There are, however, some key differences in this stage which ought to be mentioned.
1 idea is usually selected and developed ( built upon ). This is not the stage to be hashing out new ideas or rough ideas. If I do find myself or the client trying to create new ideas in this stage, I will inform them that I will need to roll back a step to do this.
I try to steer my clients into making idea decisions early!
As mentioned in stage 3. This is both for my own sanity and the clients, to control the flow and time frame of a project.
This is the stage of building upon the best idea and honing in on that particular idea, not to experiment with new ones. But in reality, eureka moments can come along! That is the nature of the creative journey.
2. simplify the differences between stages 3 and 4 :
Ideas generation = to create a range of rough ‘ideas’
Develop that idea = to improve one of the short-listed ideas
The Creative Graphic Design Process – Developing The Winning Idea!
1 idea was selected! That awesome idea for a cover, board game design, box, or something else. Now the sole focus is all in on that single idea. An idea in which all energy and concentration are now focused. The idea that is to be ‘developed’ – made good, in other words.
( Typically ) 1 idea has been short-listed and selected. This is based on client feedback and whether this idea adheres to the brief.
From here, I will take the rough design, either polish it and make good of the artwork for the final stages of the process.
Or
I will amend that design based on the feedback from the ideas stage. I will then present this to the client for approval.
Creative Graphic Design Process Scenario… Based On Past Experiences
I wanted to share a real scenario when explaining my creative graphic design process and spilling the proverbial beans. This is not an exact re-enactment. This fictionalised scenario.
Imagine the following :
Client: “ I really like A, not B. I like elements of idea C… is it possible to combine elements of both A, C and see where this leads?”
Designer ( Me ): “I don’t see why not, I’m happy to send this version across, but it may take a bit of time to mend, and there is no saying if that will work. ”
As a side note, if I think something will look utterly terrible before doing it, I will often voice this – if they are willing to listen.
Client: “ Okay, let’s see what that leads!”
Designer: “Keep in mind that this may add to the cost. if you have more feedback as to why you feel that a mixture of the above applies, let me know.”
Client “Okay… see where it goes. I feel that X and Y work because they are closer to business intentions and, I plan to do X in 6 months.”
In this scenario, I will create another rough version to be sent to the client. Based on client feedback, I proceed from there. If the artwork is given a green light or some seal of approval. I will then take this to what is essentially the final creative stage.
5 ) Refine, Polish, Tweak ( Fine Tuning )
From the previous step, if the core of the work is ‘nearly there,’ I will then progress the design to completion.
This refining or fine-tuning stage may involve the following:-
Slight adjustments to the alignment of objects
Checking colours are as they should be
Minor tweaks to the visuals
Checking that images, etc, are embedded
The artwork is moving towards the steps for delivery
Morning towards file preparation
* Warning – THIS is not the stage for significant changes! *
The latter stages of a design project are not the time for last-minute changes, complete revisions, whims, or overhauls!
Doing so would require me or other designers with a similar design process to go back to stage 2 or 3 and restart from there.
This costs time and money, and big changes are best made at the start and middle, not the end.
So, don’t rewrite the brief at the end or partway through unless absolutely essential! This can be costly and can cause headaches for all concerned!
This is why I request written signs of approval for EACH stage of the creative journey. This is to mitigate and discourage knee-jerk decisions and changes at the 11th hour.
Any significant changes to the design, be it a concept, is in essence a roll-back… and will delay the project and incur costs.
Last-minute design changes happen but are best avoided for those who are conscious of cost.
Here are some reasons why, on rare occasions, this ‘does’ happen.
The client has had a change of heart
The client has new ideas they want to explore (late)
Another person of control has manifested late in the project
The client is listening to another person’s opinion ( or too many opinions )
Something has been realised later in the project, whereby it requires changes
This is the reality of professional design. Setbacks can also arise from various external factors outside both the client’s and designer’s control.
6 ) Final Draft For Approval ( What Is The Final Draft In Design? )
When referring to graphic design, the final draft will represent the final form and iteration of that particular design. The final green light!
A written sign of approval, such as ‘greenlit’, ‘complete’ ‘finalised’, or anything in written form to say they are explicit in their satisfaction with the work. Then it is the next step of packaging the design project for handover.
*For myself and as part of my professional service. I will require a client to give a sign of explicit written approval.
7 ) Package Deliverables – Give it to the client – Handover
The very last step in my creative graphic design process, and something that should be included if the process is to be told in full.
Packaging up your project and handover.
Handover will take place once I have been given the very last sign of approval, and my final invoice has been paid. Once this has all taken place, generally, I will ‘Zip’ the project assets that the client needs and transfer the final artwork to the client.
To further illustrate what this package may contain, it may resemble the following :
JPGs, PNGs, PDFs, Illustrator (AI ) Files, and Photoshop files (PSDs) to name a few. It will depend on what is written in the brief and what the client requires. This should be stipulated in the ‘specification and agreement’ at the start.
Question | Are there factors that can impact the design process?
My creative graphic design process, like other design processes, can have factors that impact it, as mentioned throughout this post. For example, if there are multiple parties involved in the approval, this can extend the budget required.
Change in project scope partway through a project can impact it, and very human factors can impact it. Such as a client being unable to pay, sickness, or general personal reasons from either party.
Final thoughts about my graphic design process
Avoiding misunderstandings is a priority. Both for my benefit and for the clients. As this post is to highlight and illustrate how my creative process works – I should also draw your attention to how the actual journey and design process can manifest in the real world.
The path is not a straight line…
It is more of a meandering path of process of elimination, whittling down the design ideas so only the strongest are left for selection.
You could also say it is reminiscent of a carving. You may begin with building up the materials and layers for the base form. Once this is set, it can be a case of reducing the form until the final artwork emerges.
Example logo design projects. From tech to healthcare, to British design, to small businesses, this list shows a handful of my identity design projects I have worked on over the years.
This list of logo projects has been compiled together to showcase a variety of logos in the hopes of inspiring any would-be logo designers or for those looking to hire a logo designer. The majority of these logos have been created on behalf of my clients, both freelance and while at my former place of full-time employment.
All the logos in this post were designed by me but are copyrighted to their respective owners, no stealing or lifting these logos from this post please!
When I embark on a project, I’m rooting for my client to succeed!
Example Logo Design Projects – About This List
Each logo represents a unique story. From healthcare to technology to gifting, to retail. When assigned to work on this specific faucet of branding, I try my best to both adhere to a brief and offer something unique and creative to my clients. A logo needs to not only be memorable for all the right reasons, but it also needs to function across various applications.
Here are some questions I will ask myself or my client when I create a logo – ( As a rough example. )
What service can I offer that a robot can’t?
Have I tried to grasp what the client is really working towards?
What part of a narrative will this logo form?
Will what I have produced work in multiple cases and scenarios?
Can the logo work in Print and Web? Does it need to?
When designing a logo, I try to be empathetic towards my clients’ business intentions and needs. One of the biggest challenges is both consulting a client and trying to prevent the client from using their personal tastes in clouding their professional judgment. A logo is not an ‘art’ project for most, it is the visual spearhead of their brand. It needs to be professional and say the right words.
When I embark on a project, I’m rooting for my client to succeed!
When I Create Logos…
I try to avoid the tickbox solution that barely serves its intended purpose. A cheap solution is fine in the beginning, I get it! I would probably do the same if I were to try and save money. But this approach can only go so far with creating a strong logo.
A cheap price can mean cheap standards and that money that you thought you saved may end up being spent again on a revamp of your logo 2 months later! Remember that!
I would also like to add that when creating logos, I try to avoid turning brands into an innuendo, even if somewhat funny.
As they say, there is no bad publicity – apparently!
Example Logo Design Projects | Primary Industries
The examples in this logo showcase reflect a range of industries in which I have been involved as a brand and logo designer.
From healthcare initiatives to celebrating British design and innovation, I have worked on a variety of logos in technology, retail, and gifting markets. More on this below!
A Logo For A Developer – Acrobyte
Branding must reflect the personality and service offered by that company, individual, or charity. The same goes to those who work in IT, Tech, or Software Development.
A logo needs to be indicative that the person or company is part of a certain industry. In this particular instance – development ( coding ).
For this logo, I went for a clean, smart, and playful vibe that was reflective of the client and his service. To achieve this ‘vibe’ I used geometric shapes, sharp lines, and parts of ‘code’ to construct the image – a simplified robot face.
This was not the first intention, as the brief was quite open-ended, it came about after developing these ideas.
I used brackets ‘< >’ to represent the contours of friendly robotic expression. < – ? – >
The final design was a comfortable balance between sharpness, simplicity, and playfulness. Reflecting both the technical expertise, professionalism, and problem-solving capabilities of Acrobyte.
Here are some more examples of the journey.
Designing For The NHS: A Logo For A Dietitian
One particularly meaningful project involved myself creating a logo for a dietitian in the NHS ( my specifics of their role could be off).
Given the sensitive and essential role that our healthcare plays, this design called for a touch that was both professional and approachable.
I wanted the logo to convey health, trust, and approachability.
As with the other example logo design projects in this post, I have tried to include some of the design process.
Logo Celebrating British Design & Innovation
This British design logo was created as a hallmark to celebrate British design. This badge was used on packaging as a point of pride and to highlight that the product was ‘designed’ in Britain.
The logo needed to capture the essence of something quintessential British while offering a modern and contemporary look. To achieve this, I playfully adopted the path of using ye-olde British stereotypes, or at least how we perceived by other cultures in 1900’s Britain.
Bowler hats, Big moustache, you may think I am describing a Shoreditch hipster! This is actually fine also, but when creating this I was tickling heritage aspects of British innovation.
My logo design was but a few pen strokes away from having a monocle, of which I’m sure I experimented with – or perhaps my colleague designer did – it was a while ago!
Designing Brand Identities For Businesses
Beyond industry-specific projects, I’ve enjoyed working with small to medium-sized brands that need their stories to be told through their logo.
I’ve tried to capture; character, charm, memorability, and versatility. When creating a logo as an example, I aim to create a logo that works for a client across a variety of layers and mediums.
People will judge your business on the logo more than they realise or care to consider.
Example Logo Design Projects | MADKATZ
To round off my list of example logo design projects, I have decided to add this somewhat wacky and quirky piece, a design that I felt was unique to this day.
This project was used across a range of small-scale merchandise I used to sell after attending the Cumbria Institute of the Arts. Some of these drawings were created by hand! Scanned and then adjusted in a graphics program!
In hindsight, I feel it still has a non-clean human feel to it. Suitable for some businesses and sectors.
My Example Logo Design Projects – Process Snapshot
When working with a client both old and new, my creative design process is typically the same.
With logo design, it starts with me trying to gain an understanding of what the client’s brand values are – the message they are trying to convey, and where they want to be. A logo alone won’t necessarily guarantee the success of a business, but the logo is important when you are trying to build a recognisable brand. People will judge your business on the logo more than they realise or care to consider.
A logo, when applied to a business, is in part about capturing a certain distinct narrative in a concise mark – a representation of that brand and what it stands for. These marks can be representational of; origin stories, ideals, goods and services, sectors, private of public, or what that company stands for
The logo can be the forefront of their brand – the tip of the spearhead but the ‘brand’ isn’t strictly speaking just the logo.
This is an overview of how I will approach a logo design project for a client.
Example | My At Glance Logo Design Process
Given a detailed brief
Research + study of competition
Ideation
Develop the best idea or ideas
Finalise
Deploy or send across
Payments can also be made in milestones or in a large lump sum.
You may also be interested in reading more about the Graphic Design Process in this post.
Summary ~ Crafting Unique Identities For Every Client
Whether it’s healthcare, tech, heritage, or small business branding, every project is unique. My goal as a designer is to create logos that aren’t just visually appealing but also meaningful and relevant to the business to which they belong.
Each logo tells a story, reflecting the essence of the brand while offering something fresh and engaging to the audience.
Over the years, I’ve found that the key to effective logo design lies in the balance of creativity, functionality and making it adaptable across different media and platforms.
The example logo design projects displayed in this post are copyright property of their respective owners and businesses. Please do not share or copy any of the content on this page for commercial purposes or without prior consent from myself or the respective owners.
If you feel that this post was interesting please do share a link on social media, or – read more on building a brand story.
Testimonial:-
“Jimm created the logo for my web agency, (Acrobyte Ltd) from a very abstract idea. The process for the final logo – which I love – was smooth and timely. He is creative, friendly and excellent at communicating the pros and cons of early designs through to a polished logo for my website.”
As in the creative process used by professional Graphic Designers.
This is a common question I hear from both new and old clients. I have illustrated this article to educate and explain the basics of the ( a ) graphic design process.
Before providing a generalised overview of ‘what a graphic design process’ is, and how it works, I wanted to dispel some common misconceptions about the graphic design process and discipline as a whole.
Conceptual graphic design does, or should have a process.
Graphic design isn’t just about making things look pretty. It needs style and substance. It should have an objective.
Good or relevant graphic design does not manifest from thin air.
Commercial graphic design is different from just ‘pure art’ and expression.
Graphic design existed long before the Adobe Creative Suite.
Those are some points I wanted to raise and resolve before going into the details of how a Graphic Design process works for many designers in a commercial setting.
So…
What is a Graphic Design Process? ( Short Answer )
A graphic design process is a series of steps Graphic Designers use to create visual content. This content can come in the form of logos, advertorial, online media, and print collateral. The design process will typically run in stages, often starting with the project brief and objective, the creation of ideas, through to development of the final artwork.
The design process is not only great for managing the workflow and adhering to a design brief in an efficient manner. It is also a great way for both the client and designer to explore the possibilities and potential outcomes of the design journey.
As part of the process, It is common for experienced Graphic Designers to assess a brief, plan a course of action for the design, and execute what needs to be created. While also keeping an open line of communication.
It is common for some Senior Designers ( and some Junior designers ) to openly discuss their design aims so that objectives set by a client, team lead, or managers.
As a breakdown, these steps may resemble the following – depending from designer to designer.
That is, of course, a simplification of how a graphic design process works as a commutative approach across the industry. Each company is different, as is each designer and sub-discipline with ‘design’. As well as Graphic Design.
My bias and perspective on the design process
Before going into the details of my design process in steps, I felt it responsible to mention to you as a reader, I work and have worked in graphic design.
Before becoming a ‘Freelance Designer’, I worked in-house at a company for over 8 ¾ years. During this time I had the opportunity to work on a broad variety of graphic design projects both online and offline. I learned a lot. I could have cried sometimes too!
My skills, my processes, and my steps had a significant influence on my previous employers. Not only just on creating the final design but in the processes that lead to that final design. This post is not about my skills and experiences, that is what CVs and about pages can be used for.
What is a Graphic Design Process? | The Caveats
1 ) Not all graphic designers work in the same way.
2 ) Some designers are at different points in their careers.
3 ) Some Graphic designers have worked in different sectors and industries.
4 ) It is quite likely that you will meet multi-discipline designers who may have a mish-mash of the process illustrated in this post.
All and more of the factors above can influence how a designer works. Please keep this in mind.
Graphic Design Process Diagram | Illustrated Explanation
Below is a simplified diagram of the graphic design process used by many Graphic Designers, including myself. Although this is a simplified version of the core workflow and processes, it does offer a simple overview of the whole design process employed by many graphic designers.
Graphic Design Process Steps – Overview
This is a breakdown of the design process and core stages. Each paragraph explains each step in detail and allows you to read and re-read certain stages at your leisure.
Stage 1 ) The Graphic Design Brief
The ‘brief’ is a crucial part of a design project, be it in Graphic Design or any similar field. The design brief is an opportunity to establish core goals and objectives for a project – normally set out by a client or business owner.
You can also imagine the ‘brief’ as setting a mission. This mission is given to a designer so they know what the aim of the project is. Without one, the end objective of what a design needs to achieve is left to costly guessing and piecemeal assembly of what needs to happen.
A design brief is very important. You shouldn’t work without one.
How can you or a designer find a solution when neither party can establish what the problem is?
Or… what the aim of the project is?
It is also harder to plan a budget for a project without one.
It is best to establish a clear brief as early as possible. This will save time, headache, and money for both designers and those setting a project.
What happens if you work without a design brief?
Without a brief – especially a written and mutually agreed one, proper communication between the designer and the person setting the brief is more likely to fail. This lack of clarity can also lead to the disintegration of a working relationship, poor budget control, and potential and unnecessary resentment between both parties.
Make sure to create a brief.
A brief can act as a mutual ‘project map’ to establish what, when, and how a design project needs to be fulfilled.
As for myself, I will often refer back to a brief or a “specification and agreement” to see what I’m working towards with the client. It could be regarded as a loose recipe to follow also for want of a better analogy.
1.1 Quickfire Tips For Constructing a Basic Design Brief
When creating a design brief for a graphic design project, try to consider some of the following :
Who?
What?
Why?
These are all things I consider when working on a design project.
When creating a brief you may wish to consider formats, mediums, and any restrictions or limitations that may impact the project. It is better to give detailed thought at the beginning, rather than part way through.
The “Who, What, and Why” can act as a great starting point and framework for creating a brief. If you can establish the who, what and why. Designers such as myself can establish the how and the details – it can help us better solve problems or avoid them altogether.
However, it is not also uncommon for me to collaborate and consult a client and the, who, what and why. It can be this that helps to craft a brief and point the client in the right direction.
Graphic designers don’t know your business!
The majority of designers, most likely, won’t understand your business as much as you do, especially if working on short-term freelance project.
When constructing your brief, it is better to assume that a new designer, or a designer you haven’t worked with previously, knows absolutely nothing about your business. From here, write all that is relevant to share with the designer in translating your initial thoughts into a well-rounded, well-described brief, with a clear direction.
Stage 2 ) Collecting Information & Research | An Important Stage In The Graphic Design Process
When looking at the stages and steps to a graphic design process, collecting together information, data, files, images, and text are all important aspects of the creative process. Especially when exploring new ideas.
The degree to which research is carried out for a graphic design can vary from project to project, but there are common patterns that are adhered to by many designers.
The preliminary research can be carried out by the client, designer, or both parties. In this stage, it can be a case of collating together: photos, data, logos, or anything that is useful in aiding the designer to create a compelling piece of visual design.
*Designers: When working with clients, encourage them to share research or at least mention that time will need to be set aside for research projects, this is something I do. I have listed some examples of what may be collected together for graphic design research.
2.1 ) Collecting Information
Collecting information together for a design project may consist of the following:-
Data
Photography
Fonts
Logos
Things can inspire
Plans
Initial copy or ‘text’ is a common requirement for design projects. As a designer, I tend to request this as early as possible so I can plan the space around and accommodate the word volume. This can apply to books, webpages, and many other mediums that require written words for the project.
It is quite common for a designer to also be aware that a certain amount of editorial changes are likely to arise later in the project and allow for wriggle room. It is still best practice to have as much of the word count calculated sooner rather than later.
Images and photography may also be sourced or collected together in the early stages of the design process, along with logos and brand guidelines.
2.2 ) Graphic Design Research
Research, or ‘design research’ is an important stage when it comes to the design process. Research can help form, inspire and guide the overall direction of a project.
For large or medium-sized projects, research is a vital tool in not only greasing the design wheels of your project but in helping to form a better more polished product. I am a big advocate for good research across various mediums, design being a key one.
Here are some examples of what the design research stage may consist of, noting that the criteria can vary from project to project and designer to designer.
What design research may consist of :
Studying competition.
Searching areas such as Pinterest, magazines of similar platforms for certain ideas.
Checking what types of design will appeal to your target market.
Looking for any relevant or inspirational criteria that can impact your final design.
Avoiding accidental copyright infringement.
Considering what courses of action will serve the project.
These are just some examples of what the design research phase may include.
Some freelance designers may prefer that the client does the majority of the research before contact. This can leave the designer to focus solely on the creative aspects of a project. I am of split opinions.
On one hand, I like to know that the client has at least carried out some basic research for their own product and business before speaking to me.
On the other hand, I also like to add to the research and build upon what the client has already found the further steer the course of a project, I tend to tweak and steer this from brief to brief.
Research Examples | Core Design Process
With the links below, I have pointed to where you can read more on case studies and research I used for some projects.
Here are a couple of links that may be of interest :
“On the other hand, designers have to be realistic. People change their minds.”
It is common practice for graphic designers, especially those of a more conceptual vein, to come up with an idea or a selection of ideas early in a project. However, strictly speaking, this is not a default practice for all designers.
Some designers may only work with one idea and revise this single idea as opposed to working with a variety of ideas and short-listing the strongest.
Depending on fees, time, and requirements, design ideas (ideation), can vary drastically in quality and finish. Each designer may only create a short selection of ideas and others may create a broader selection of ideas to illustrate intent and potential avenues a project can take.
In the earliest stages of ideas creation or ‘ideation’, what is presented may be little more than a rough drawing or digital sketch to illustrate what will be created.
Speaking for myself, I will often use this stage to discuss what has been created and why I have made the choices I have made. Here is an example idea.
Each designer is different, and our tools and methods may differ. But as a generalisation, design ideation may be presented in the following formats :-
The idea and the idea development stage can blur when it comes to developing a design.
To illustrate this flow – here is an image from another blog post – Design Journey.
For many conceptual-based graphic designers, the idea stage is a core stage in the design process. As a conceptual design. Here are to projects and case studies that may further illustrate how a project may go.
( Important ) The Ideation Stage May Need To Be Revisited
*There is no guarantee that the original ‘proof of concept’ from the selection of ideas will become the final product. Although costly, time-consuming and frustrating, it is not uncommon that a designer will need to backtrack to this pivotal stage once a project is near completion. I have on occasion had to do this on graphic design projects.
List of reasons as to why a graphic designer may need to revisit the ideas stage:
Executive discussion outside of design influences has come into play
Senior management wants to revisit or change course
An idea isn’t as good as originally hoped
New criteria and information have come into play that weren’t known before
Fussy clients
Too many people have differing opinions on a project
Weak project planning or thought given to the brief in the first place
A better idea came along
These are just some of the reasons why a designer may need to return to the proverbial drawing board.
Whoever said design was easy needs to actually work in design, or at least share their secrets to make it easier for them.
Revisiting or needing to backtrack to the ideas stage of a design project is sometimes required – there is no way to avoid it. However, it is best avoided for the sake of the client and the designer. Budget restrictions and time constraints can lead to rows between both parties if, for example, the culprit is a poorly written brief or the disregard for the sign-off stages.
On the other hand, designers have to be realistic. People change their minds.
If the design journey was a straight line, both the designer’s and the client’s lives would be a lot easier. Many internal and external forces will require a designer to revisit other ideas, even if the first choice was put into play.
Do all graphic designers create a range of ideas? ( Ideation )
No, not all graphic designers will create a range of ideas for your brief. As mentioned above, it will vary from designer to designer and from skill level to skill level. Not all graphic designers are conceptual designers. Some graphic designers will have certain leanings towards ‘creative artworking’ , marketing, etc.
It is beneficial to discuss with a graphic designer before embarking on a project. Ask about their process and methods. Make sure there is a clear brief between the designer and the client.
Stage 4 ) Development Stages | Graphic Design Process
How this stage translates in reality will vary from designer to designer. But as a general rule – it will work accordingly.
Once both the designer and client ( or clients ) have shortlisted the preferred design idea or ideas, this will then lead to that idea being developed. Being ‘developed’, or ‘developed further’ may consist of the following actions:-
Polishing the aspects of the design
Building upon the visuals to establish the viability of a concept
Moving the design to a delivery-ready stage
In layman’s terms, the development stages translate to the spit and polish applied to the shortlisted idea. The development stage can also be further proof of concept, in which an idea is built further.
Speaking for myself, this is the stage where I straighten up text, remove burs, tweak compositions, and add the final ingredients to get a design over that proverbial line.
The later development stages are when a design moves towards completion. Be it a piece of print media or as a digital project.
Common Situations That Arise In The ‘Development’ Stages
From my own experience, the development stage is the part of the process in which an idea is stress-tested against the brief.
It not uncommon for senior managers, CEOs, business owners and anybody else in between to have additional opinions on overall design direction – some relevant, some not. This is the reality of working with humans on a design brief.
Project requirements change. What was initially established as the winning idea, does not strictly translate to what was hoped when it comes to Graphic Design. Project scope can change, and external influences can derail the path of your project – there are many various factors when it comes to design.
Even in the development stages, I have had situations in which 2 of the same idea ( colour change for example ) have been created side by side.
Imagine A Development Tree ( illustration )
Design development can be one of the heftiest stages of design. I wanted to illustrate the development flow for the mid-to-late stages of a graphic design project.
This is a scenario.
A favourite idea has been selected. This idea has been polished and presented before the ultimate decision-makers. They like the design, however, somebody wants to see the same layout but on a different background. You have run with the same idea and made some minor changes. A sub-version of a main version – sound complicated?
A single idea has been selected. This idea will make up the trunk of the flow and energy to design.
From this single idea – the trunk of a tree – a single branch or node will stem.
On some projects, as is the case with experimenting with some minor variation of core ideas. 1 or 2 twigs will stem.
These ‘Twigs’ may be little more than a colour variation, or position change. Or some minor experimentation alignment.
Development Versions
Or to further illustrate, as a tested method I have used in the past. It makes look like so:
Version 3.1
Version 3.2
Version 3.3
Or it could also look like this.
The number 3 could represent ‘Idea 3’ and the variant or version ‘1’ and 2, and 3. And so on. It is similar to version releases.
3.0 = The main version
3.1 = May equate to almost the exact same look, perhaps a text change
3.2 = Still much the same as 3, only that the text and, text colour were changed to a lesser degree
4.1 ) How to communicate with designers regarding project development
Communication is an integral part of graphic design.
The very nature of graphic design is visual ‘communication’ and open dialogue is a must to ensure that the project is the best that it can be.
Communication should not stop with the end visuals.
Not being able to keep an open and frequent line of communication between the designer and client ( or manager ) allows more room for errors, misunderstanding, and needless time wasting which could have been easily averted with conversation. I am a big advocate for working as close with a client as possible as emails alone can miss those ‘water cooler’ moments.
Communication is important from start to finish, not only in the development stages but throughout.
Typically, communication in the development stages of a project will take the form of feedback on what has already been created by the graphic designer. A client will offer a point of view as will a designer. ( hopefully ).
Communication and feedback may come in this form :
Exchanges between emails
Phone calls
Video meetings
In-person meetings
Platforms in which you can message your team
And SMS – And Whatsapp ( both of which are my least favourite lines of communication when it comes to design )
4.2 ) Design Feedback
“ Can I just ask…”
“ This is will be quick…”
When an idea has been chosen and developed, it is at this latter stage that a client, client or team member will offer further feedback with regard to a design. And, if you are a designer reading this, it is a stage in which you brace yourself.
Once the feedback has been communicated to a graphic designer, they will then respond and act accordingly to that feedback.
This feedback to the designer may resemble the following :
Make some minor tweaks and adjustments
Listening the what the client has to say and offer polite help and advice in return
Refining the design
Preparing for completion
Or potentially going back to the conceptual stages
( Or crying )
Stage 5 ) Core Design Steps – Refine Design
Refining the design typically entails polishing ‘the developed’ artwork to completion. A project will be at a level of final draft in which the artwork is ‘near ready’ to be sent to the client, production or print. This is the latter stage of a project.
Refining a design can involve minor tweaks, minor changes, or the very last touches to the design and a once-over from the person giving a sign-off.
It is common for me to hear some of the following types of phrases at this stage ( paraphrased ) :
The final stage of the process – the Sign off. This phase may seem self-explanatory, but for the sake of completeness, I will elaborate.
The ‘Sign Off’ can refer to the stage in which a head of a team ‘signs off’ a final design or interim stage of a project. This may be a verbal or written formal declaration that what is being presented, is the artwork to be passed to the next stage.
In this instance, the ‘sign off’ on the final artwork – completion.
The ‘Sign off’ in the design process may take the form of the client saying that they are happy with what they have seen and wish to sign off the whole, or part of the project.
When at this stage, It is also wise for the client to assess their artwork closely before agreeing to sign off any design work. When artwork has already been sent to print as a PDF, it can be costly or sometimes impossible to remedy any mistakes once a project has been printed. Any mistakes need to be remedied with hacks and workarounds.
This is not strictly speaking as rigid as digital design, as projects tend to be easier to remedy and amend but this is still not a guarantee.
The Graphic Design Process | What Are ‘Deliverables’?
What are deliverables in design?
Speaking in terms of graphic design, the deliverables are the complete assets and artwork made by the designer. All completed artwork, files, and supporting documents are often referred to as ‘deliverables’ or final artwork. The completed artwork and supporting items are often handed to the client or owner when a project has been marked as complete or signed off.
This is how the deliverables may come into play at the end of the graphic design process.
Once a graphic design project has been signed off or marked as complete, it is common for the graphic designers to send the final print-ready artwork to other the new owners of the artwork.
Or if working internally the designer may package the artwork into a PDF and this is passed to another department for validation and QC for being shipped or sent to print.
* It should be noted however that companies do have their own ways of validating and signing off projects, do keep this in mind.
6 .1) Scenario 1 | Design Process | What Is a Freelance Design Project Sign-Off?
‘Sign off, marked as complete, green-lighted’ or any other similar terminology can all be markers to signal the end of a project. When working with a client on a design project, I will ask the client to sign off on the final artwork before sending the final versions across.
This is a rough example of how a Freelance project process may flow towards the later stages of a project :
Client sees work
Requires small changes
These changes are then sent to a client
The client then sends across their approval, assuming that they do approve of what they see
Project is either sent to print or packaged up and passed to a client or both
6.2 ) Scenario 2 | Design Process | Internal Design Team Sign-off
As above, ‘Sign off’, ‘marked has complete’, ‘green-lighted’ or any other similar terminology can all be markers to signal the completion of a graphic design project.
A key difference based on my experience from working in-house design positions, ‘a sign-off sheet’ or an Excel spreadsheet may be used to mark off the stages or parts of a project that have been completed.
There are often more people with internal teams when it comes to the sign-off in-house who will want to see or understand the status of a project.
What is a Graphic Design Process – Conclusion
A graphic design process or workflow is a process or system in which a piece of graphic design or visual communication is created following a sequence of important steps. These steps will often include research, collection of data and information, ideation, development of an idea, and the delivery of that idea in print or digital form.
This process is what follows as the end result of what was assigned in a brief.
Creating a board game prototype. It was past time I shared a new project on my blog, and in this post, I wanted to share my efforts in making a board game prototype.
These are some of the processes used for creating a board game prototype for a past client – ( Conway Council ).
I would like to say that the initial brief was simple, and in truth, it was simple, on paper at least. But it was also simple to point out vague.
Nuances came up that I had never experienced in my career so far. I could tell that the people commissioning the project, were not familiar with working with board game designers, and that was fine.
I was also there to help and guide them.
From the outset, I knew I would need to roll my sleeves up to make a playable game. Like the image shows.
What I gleaned from the initial brief:
The board game needed to be educational
Palatable for teenagers
And teaches teens about the hard knocks of life ( and youth homelessness )
Conwy Council was going to use this game with charity organisations such as Shelter and other companies based in Wales.
“teach children about youth homelessness”
Core steps and processes used in making this prototype
Discussed the initial brief. After a basic telephone call.
Create the first brief ( the entirety of the project was actually several smaller projects ).
Created very rough rules
Creating the initial game mechanics based on the rules
Visual design, characters, rules, packaging, and general graphic design art direction
Create a design-ready prototype for photography and further development
Worked as the middleman, project manager, and between client and ad prototype manufacturer
Creating a board game prototype ( overview )
The aim of the game was to create something that teaches children and teenagers the dangers of youth homelessness. It is the ‘gamification’ of how to better manage personal finances, and work with general property pitfalls and debt. All these situations can lead to you losing your house and home.
For the brief, I was initially given a spreadsheet of depressing phrases that were more akin to a sad flashcard game than a board game. I used these phrases and situations as inspiration for the game mechanics. These phrases acted as a springboard.
After all, the main purpose was to create an educational game with a root meaning: try to look after yourself and not end up homeless.That, would be my hook for how you lose the game.
“I didn’t want to make the game so hard and depressing that it completely crushed the players’ souls. The game ‘could’ be beaten.”
But even with the best-laid plans, and being careful with money, things can occur. That is another core mechanic built into the rules. It was another lesson subliminally buried in the core game play.
1 ) Crafting the basic rules
When creating a board game prototype, a viable game mechanic and rules are essential to a game that is both playable and fun.
I hate it when you buy a board game and realise that gameplay is not only flawed but utterly broken. I feel cheated.
When making the rules, I didn’t want to make the game so hard and depressing that it completely crushed the players’ souls. The game ‘could’ be beaten.
Notes were taken, the game was enhanced, and artwork was then ( Note then, after making a playable mock-up) created.
Here is more on creating a mock-up for creating a board game prototype.
2 )The first iteration of the game
In the very early form of the game, I constructed it from bits and pieces from my studio and my partner’s office. Nothing fancy.
Photo taken from the earliest iteration of the game.
When creating the early form of the board game prototype, here is an example of those bits and pieces.
Creating a board game prototype – Alpha Scrap Components
Post-it notes
Bits of bric-a-brac as game pieces
A sheet of white A3 paper
Note paper
Scraps of paper as currency
As I said, nothing fancy at all when developing the game mechanics.
It was whatever I could fashion together to make a playable game. For this project, this was all that was required, but you can buy prototype kits also.
Once I had established some very basic rules and core game mechanics. I then set about testing what some of the different cards might work and play like.
Seeing what components you need earlier in the development process rather than later, will save time, money, and headaches. You can then move on to the graphic design stages and artwork. Which brings me to the next part.
3 ) Characters & the visual design for creating a board game prototype
Once the first iteration of a playable game was created, I stress-tested the rules. I then set about creating some initial visual design for the game – the graphic design.
I sketched out some characters, titles, the general look and feel of the game, and the cover of the box of which there were several iterations. And a segment for the game board for the client to see. I will often refer to this stage as ‘Early design, design roughs, early development or first phase of development’.
There is no use in creating an entire project only to show the client at the end something they don’t like. Make life easier on yourself, and create a sample. Speaking of which, here is a sample from this projects of some of my process and journey.
Initial artwork for a board game ( design ideas )
in this part, you can see me experimenting with different card designs to present to the client. The preferred cards would be funneled and developed further in later stages.
Creating a general look and feel for the cover and some of the typographic experimentation. This is in essence part of the cover and box packaging ( including the cover art )
4 ) Graphic Design & Core Components ( Development )
Below are some of the components I designed and illustrated for the prototype. After the first stages of the visual design which was a large part of the project, the ideas that were short-listed were developed further.
These designs were readied in Adobe Illustrator before being imported into a cutter guide. These cutter guide templates and PDF’s were then sent off to a factory for a batch print. ( although I made a more basic version for further playtesting )
The same premise was similar to the cards, rules and the first designs, only polished and developed further.
“Then playtest it again. And then… when you have had enough. Playtest it once or twice more. “
5 ) Playtesting
When creating a whole game, I always advise my clients to play test their games, and this project was no different.
Being the one at the helm of making a fully working game, I wanted to practice what I preach. And if money would have allowed, I would have carried out more player testing on a wider audience.
Then playtest it again. And then… when you have had enough. Playtest it once or twice more.
I have a post here ( the play test of a client project ) that goes into greater detail. This is another important stage when creating a board game prototype.
6 ) Take notes from the playtest, and adjust accordingly
After watching real players play the game on 3 separate occasions, I took notes on people’s play styles.
People playing board games try to break the rules. Many players I have witnessed when creating a game will try and break or circumnavigate ( cheat ) the core rules or ‘interpret’ the rules differently. There is no right or wrong here, you need to observe and shut up as a board gamer developer and see how people may realistically play your game.
Remember this when making a board game.
For this project, I had to tweak some of the rules, re-jig the board, and amend the artwork after running the latter playtests.
Although I was by and large relieved, not much needed to be amended. Mostly re-working and some graphical aspects of the board, and rewording. This comes under “development”.
7 ) Final Stage – helping the client get a prototype made
In addition to coming up with the core design, the rules, making a playable prototype, play testing, and everything else in-between, that is involved with making this game. I was commissioned to liaise and organise a prototype production of the game.
Basically, I helped to guide the client through the first iterations of making a viable, polished prototype. ( and the batch production ) I amended or prepared the artwork as was necessary for prototype makers.
Here are some photos of the board which I took on my bridge camera, and isolated on white in Photoshop.
Creating a board game prototype | The Unique Challenges
This project came with a range of different and unique challenges that I’ve never encountered before.
Initially, I wasn’t given an exact brief outside of “make a game”. The initial brief that was given to me amounted to little more than a set of unfortunate key phrases listed inside an Excel spreadsheet.
This did not amount to a full brief. I had to convert these statements listed in Excel, from a long list of misery into a playable game to educate children and teenagers about youth homelessness.
Here are some details about the projects, and lessons I may have learned!
Wordy
Fundamentally this is an educational game and not a game for fun sake.
Instead of creating 2 different languages for the game, 2 languages were usually next to or near to each other which did offer some unique challenges for the graphic design. This was carried through not only on the cards but all visual and written components of the game. I feel I managed to make it work though – just. Please observe this card again with the double language on a single face.
Unable to read Welsh
I have nothing against the Welsh language, I just don’t know how to read or write it.
With this in mind, this is potentially one of the most unusual challenges I’ve had to work with on a project. Not being able to read or write the copy whatsoever, even at a superficial level posed a significant challenge for this project.
By and large, I technically didn’t need to know how to speak, read or write in Welsh. But, when copying and pasting the Welsh language onto the cards, even by happenstance, I couldn’t flag any issues.
You may be correct in assuming as I am not the copywriter, that I don’t need to worry about it. But in the same breath, I needed my client to complete and finish this project. I needed to be paid. And generally the more eyes on a project, the more likely you are to pick things up and share your concerns. I was unable to do this here.
Waiting and relying on their team to spot or change their mind with the wording on an already very wordy game, made this very challenging to work on in the latter stages.
A member of their team could amend the text on their side, For me to spot these edits was near impossible and impractical in both capability, time, and budget.
As a designer, I was sympathetic to the product and helping a business make a sale, not all designers think like this, especially junior designers or design generalists. Not all graphic designers, think and operate in the same way. I was taught how to design for retail, build a brand, etc.
I understood that the packaging needed areas for barcodes, addresses, strap lines, age badges, warnings etc. In addition to all of this, making games appealing to the masses and shelf-ready.
For this project, the above didn’t necessarily apply, as it was for demonstration purposes mostly in an educational setting such as a school or town hall.
I hope that Conwy Council took care of this game and that children are enjoying it, and playing today… and perhaps better off than some of the characters I created for the project as part of the vector art.
Project Post | Creating a board game prototype, Testimonial
“Jimmdesigns is the perfect partner for anyone interested in creating a board game. Jimm supports with all aspects of creation from the initial concept, design process, development, play test sessions, through to the production of the prototype and manufacture. Jimm is able to break down the complex processes into easy to follow step-by-step actions for individuals who are new to the game making process.
Jimm has essential contacts in the industry and is able to manage all stages of the process. We highly recommend Jimm’s services, he is extremely patient and flexible with timescales and concepts” 5****
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