This blog post was created in reference to item #25 in our post, “101 Graphic Design Tips for Business Success”

Under Promise – Over Deliver

Many times we try to look like a super hero by how quickly we can turn a project around. Try, instead, to give yourself a little more time in your estimations, that way if you need more time, you already have it, and if you’re finished early, you truly are a hero.

Ever heard of the term, under promise – over deliver? It’s one of the wisest ways to approach any project. Sometimes in our eagerness to please a client we are jumping ahead and telling them something that we think they want to hear. Take a minute and think about it before you promise a deadline that is too tight. You might not only be hurting yourself by being unrealistic.

Account for the whole process. When you give them a deadline segmented out by key milestones, it is more acceptable to most people. Start with something like: initial concept, revisions and edits, final draft, and production or file delivery. Look beyond the acceptance of the initial concept. Your job isn’t finished there and neither is the deadline. Move it out at least three or more days if it has to be coded or printed.

Instant Gratification Isn’t Appropriate For Achieving Quality Design

Look at the scope of the job. Obviously a sixteen-page newsletter or entire website is going to take more time than a small brochure or flyer. Weigh the entire scope of the project before promising a delivery date. Try to estimate how long it is for you to create it per page and give them an hour estimate based upon that.

Client review process. Most clients will forget to factor in their editing and review process. The time will vary on how many stakeholders in the project they have and how many times they actually have to review it. Don’t be surprised for a brochure to go into 3 or 4 drafts before achieving final approval. This all takes time. And in the end some are quick to forget that they used up a few days reviewing a project and still will want to hold you to the initial due date.

Base all of your deadlines on delivery of complete content. You may be creating the content, so this could be a non-issue, but if you are relying on someone else for text – base the turn-around from the date you get this vital piece.

Now you are set up for smooth sailing. They might baulk the first time you present it, instant gratification is not appropriate for achieving quality design and you may have to educate your clients on this. You will be happy that you did.