Things to do before working with a designer

So you've finally decided you're going to take the plunge and work with a designer. Phew! Decision made!

Wait, erm, well what do I actually have to do to get ready?

Oh no. More research.

Here's the thing though, I don't actually want you turning up with it all figured out. Loads of you do this: you decide that being "ready" means having a full colour palette, a locked-in vision, all the answers before you've even booked the call. And I get why. It feels like turning up unsure is turning up unprofessional.

But it's not. It's just turning up honest.

So this isn't a "have your homework done" list. It's more like… bring me the raw ingredients and let me do the cooking. Half an idea is more than enough. Here's what actually helps.

Think about colours.

You don't have to choose anything right now, just have some ideas, stick some colours on a Canva document, look at what you have been using, do you like them. You don't have to come with a full colour palette but having an idea of what you like and equally don't like is really helpful.

Think about fonts

Not in too much depth, don't have sleepless nights or anything. But look around, see if there is anything that stands out. Something that makes you think "that might work" again, don't come with a fixed idea, I might choose something you hadn't thought of, I mean that is what I'm here for!

Look at other brands

Somewhere you shop, people you've seen while scrolling on social media, take some screen grabs, or photos, just things you like. It doesn't have to be people in your industry, just brands that you like. You might be thinking "but why?" This helps me get a feel for what you like, and it often reveals patterns that you might not even see yourself. So it's really helpful.

What inspires you

This is a bit broad but anything, a painting, a building, an image, just anything around you that gives you a lift when you see it. You may not even realise it, but this "thing" that inspires you may be something we end up weaving into your brand.

Brand nouns - sorry, a very designery thing

Write down words that make you think about your brand. So if you think "nature," go deeper, think more specific, like "leaves." Nothing perfect, just a brain dump of all the words that make you think of your brand.

Okay so that's all the colourful stuff, which is great and fun, but now we have to be serious grown-up business people. I know, I know, I'm sorry. These are the things you'll be asked, so best be prepared.

Who are your ideal clients

This doesn't have to be a perfect avatar, just who are "your people" who makes you happy when you work with them, the client you want to clone and work with over and over (just to be clear, not literal human cloning, lol!). Think about what problems you're solving and why they should choose you.

What are your values

This doesn't have to be something fluffy, or something you read somewhere that you "have to have." This is just how you run your business. It's how you want to be perceived in the world. You don't have to be perfect with this, just write down things that feel like you.

Your mission statement

Your mission, should you choose to accept it… no wait, not like Mission Impossible. Just what you want to achieve, why you set out to do this thing. I'm guessing this is all in your head and you've never actually written it down. And when it's written down you might think, "that needs tweaking," or "wow, I didn't know I thought that, that's cool."

What are your long-term goals

Yes, it's important to think about where you are now, but also where you want to go. Look back and see how far you've come, how much you and your brand ideas have changed. Now think forward about what you want to do in the future.

You may not have realised these things are even going to come into your branding, it's just all colour and pretty design, right? But I'm sorry to say, you need this foundation. You need to be clear on where you are, and this foundation isn't just woven into your branding, it moves forward into your marketing, your copywriting, it all links together, so you are talking to your people.

And one last thing…

Bring all the whacky ideas

I know, you didn't think it was going to end with all that serious grown-up business stuff, did you?

I want the whacky, weird, off-the-wall ideas that you're too scared to use, because you think they're too much, or no one will get it. I want to see them all, because this is the best part.

Here's why all of this matters, really. If you turn up with everything locked down, the "perfect" idea, the fixed plan, you're not just wasting your own energy trying to be perfect, you're also leaving less room for me to do my job. The magic happens in the half-formed ideas, the "I don't know, maybe this?" bits. That's where I can actually help you find something you wouldn't have landed on alone.

The main thing is: come with half an idea, an open mind, and be willing to have a long conversation about everything relating to your business. I know it's really hard letting go of your business baby and putting it in someone else's hands. It's a scary investment. But I want to look after your ideas, nurture them, and let them grow and flourish. I'm excited to work with you so you can stop holding back and show up as the real you, so you have the brain space to finally take your business forward to where you want it to be.

If you're ready to take the plunge and have an informal chat to see what working together will look like, I would love to hear from you. You can book a chat here.