Help Us, Help You: Navigating Through The Initial Design Discovery Phase Process
Written by the design team at HVD Studios, LLC
Finding just the right designer can make or break the visions you've had set in your mind since the day you woke up and decided to chase your dreams of establishing your brand and taking a leap of faith.
Whether you've found a talented individual or a reputable design firm that can help bring your vision to life, a number of consultations and conversations will have to take place throughout the design process in order for everyone involved to be on board. But there are a handful of very important keys to keep in mind regardless of who you entrust your brand to and locating just the right team is half the battle.
Know your budget, and don’t be afraid to say it

We always ask our clients -- prospective or current -- what their design and marketing budget is for a project, whether it’s starting out on a design or monthly marketing expenses. It’s a question that many aren’t comfortable answering for fear that the budget will be too low for the work they need done or it will be higher than what the designer charges and they’ll be taken advantage of. But the reality is, many don’t properly prepare for the cost to be the boss, be it big or small, that’s required to run a business. From as small as the monthly cost for a business email address, CRM software, inventory, rent payment for an office or storefront to employee payroll. Most people do not actually consider the cost to actually market their business and how vital it is to the success of growing your brand. That includes anything from monthly website hosting, running ads, sending off email blasts and newsletters and paying your designers to develop graphics and marketing materials. So knowing your budget for marketing helps you help your chosen designer figure out how to allocate your funds to the most important items you need to market your company.

Be patient and decisive
Greatness can’t be rushed, so it’s important to remember that starting, launching, operating and sustaining a business is a marathon, not a sprint. In order for designers to really create to the best of our abilities, it takes time to research your industry, conceptualize your logo, develop your brand’s look and feel and effectively build around it. AT HVD Studios, we totally believe in allowing our clients to be hands on during the beginning stages of establishing a brand you will be proud of.

When we are hired to do a job, we are trusted to utilize our skills and expertise we've spent years to learn, develop and fine tune. But one thing we can’t do, is make decisions that ultimately impact and effect the bottom line to your business and its forecast for the future. Of course, we will provide you with the best advice we can give when asked in regards to the project you specifically hired us to complete, but at the end of the day, you control your company’s destiny. 
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