Today’s #RainyBrandingTuesday wants to follow up on the way you work with professionals.

Since the launch of Rainy London Branding, I’ve had the pleasure to work back to back with many professionals who needed to find their voice and with designers and programmers who are taking care of the technical side of it all. In all this, we always need to consider that we are good with words, especially as interpreters and translators. Therefore, just as we would for a translation or a conference with our clients – but even with a plumber if we need him to fix our bathroom leakage – we need to remember the importance of a good dialogue. Otherwise, our interactions make just for another anecdote from Clients from hell:

Italian…

Eventually though… it only dawns on us that we are all the same, as clients. So if we want to get treated in the right way, we need to give what we want to get.

Design especially is a matter of taste and personal moods – and in many, many cases, the design client does NOT know what s/he wants until… S/HE SEES IT.

And sometimes clients do not know and are not supposed to know the technicalities nor how we work so… make sure you talk in a way they can relate to.

But as branding is such a crucial part for businesses of all sizes, sooner or later we would need to liaise with the designer aspect.

Designers are nice – I live with one, I can vouch! – My tips to work with a designer (or any other professional for that matter!) are basically… all around a brief.

Fabio – my designer – has worked on these logos and some sites:

Astra Translations, Dania Training, WantWords, Masterminf Translations, Verbatim Translations, Momo Translations, English Rose Berlin and Trema Translations were designed by fabiobenedetti.co.uk. Isabel Espuelas is great too but is not our design.

and we always use this brief chart to make sure that the inception of a logo is driven by a good reasoning:

Copyright of http://www.fabiobenedetti.co.uk

This is a way to make sure your designer is aware of your idea. You can also create a moodboard – with pictures or images or scans of your writing… just inspiration. Pinterest is a very good way, too!

Then remember:

• find a pro: as I always say, you don’t want clients to go for non-trained or unprofessional translators, the same is true for any other fields. Walk the walk

• browse their portfolio (or ask for one): maybe you find something that inspires you

• agree fees: on delivery, in advance… normally, it’s a part in advance and then if your project is big, there will be installments

• agree payment terms ASAP, esp. if the supplier is abroad, and get a signed PO / terms or a binding e-mail clearly stating dates and conditions

• be ready to invest: not millions! But make sure your design shows professionalism. Most of the times my services are chosen because my website is professional and looks “the part”

• talk to them in the clearest way: make examples, sketch… inspirational boards are great. Give the designer as many examples as possible

• don’t rush it. Logos can take weeks. Be wary of those who offer you a logo in 24 hrs if you really want a thorough job

• brainstorm and ask when in doubt. Better asking than feeling sorry later

• if you don’t like the design, just explain why. As I mentioned before sometimes you don’t visualize anything until you see it

You should then think of the different media. Bear in mind that you may need Twitter + Facebook covers but also business cards and brochure design, banners etc.

This is what I’ve done for Rainy London Translations:

Rainy London Translations: Facebook cover

Rainy London Translations: Twitter cover

What is the point here? While the design is the same, the format and the sizing may change.

In that case, make sure you ask:

• whether these changes are included in the quote/fee
• if the artworks are provided for these media
• print is different from web so formats for the printers are different. Just ask!
• get the right format (be it .indd or .eps etc)
• Ask for jpeg or PDF version too, they may come in handy
• don’t give anything for granted and ask to double check.

For further info or doubts, you can always drop me a line!

And now some fun: Design hell and Design changes 

See you next week!