Interested in working with Tinstar? Where do we begin with your website?

The graphic design process can be something of an unknown quantity if you haven't dealt with a designer before. If you have, it is useful to know how different design studios operate. How long does it all take? How much will it cost? Once we get started, how do you make sure we're on the right track, and that you'll get value for money?

Whatever your project is, the design and proofing process will be very similar, whether you need a full shopping cart or a simple online brochure. Below is a typical project timeline to give you an idea of the design and construction process. If you have any further queries, please don't hesitate to give us a call on 01590 679490.

STEP ONE
Let's discuss your requirements

Our initial contact can be over the phone, by e-mail, via one of our online enquiry forms or face-to-face; no matter how you get in touch, it's essential that you give us all the information you possibly can about what it is you want to achieve, and what you need to have designed in order to achieve it.

If you're not sure about what is it that you want, then by chatting about your business, the kind of clients you target and what sort of message you want to convey through your website, we can help to focus on what could work best for you. Once we have a good idea of what you need, we can put together a quotation, to include all the elements of design and production.

STEP TWO
We'll give you an estimate

Based on our discussion, our meeting, or your enquiry form submission, we will send you an estimate of how much your project will cost to produce. The estimate will include an idea of how much studio time will be required in order to complete the work, as well as (if required) any additional copy writing, stock image purchases, commissioned photography and so on. All figures quoted will be subject to VAT.

Any design estimate we give you will be based on our extensive experience and will be as accurate as possible. We will first determine how many hours of studio time will be required to complete the work, and provide an estimate of cost for the work involved.

STEP THREE
Agree a budget

If you're happy with the figures we outline in our estimate, we can get cracking. If you're concerned about costs potentially spiralling out of control, don't be. If the time we spend on your project exceeds the maximum number of hours estimated, we will work to a fixed maximum budget which will be a 'worst case scenario'. This figure would only be increased if the original brief is altered in some way resulting in more studio time being required.

Should we complete the work in less time than estimated, we will only invoice for the time spent on the project. Thus, unlike with fixed price packages, you only pay for the time we actually spend working.

STEP FOUR
We register your domain name

If a new domain name needs to be registered, we will take care of it as soon as possible to avoid the risk of losing it to another company. If we'll be hosting your website and you have an existing domain name which needs to be transferred, we'll normally wait until the end of the design & construction process before making the change in order to minimise any potential interruption to your existing website.

go to top of page

STEP FIVE
We start designing some visuals

Once you've given us the green light, we will start to work on some visuals for your website, starting with the home page and a first tier page. We'll first sketch out a number of ideas, always bearing in mind the target audience, any preconceived visual ideas outlined in the brief and what sort of message the site needs to convey. When we have taken our brainstorming to its conclusion, we will work up a first visual for submission.

STEP SIX
We submit proofs for your perusal

The first visuals we create are submitted by post (colour printouts) or via e-mail (JPEGs or a link to temporary web space) for your consideration. If we have managed to hit the nail on the head on the first attempt, then great! We'll start putting the website together based on the agreed design. If not, just let us know which elements of the design (if any) you like, which (if any) you don't, what changes you would like made and so on.

STEP SEVEN
You return the visuals to us with your comments

Once you have given as much thought to the proofs as possible, let us know what amendments or refinements you'd like us to make. We'll take your comments on board and begin work on a second visual.

STEP EIGHT
Repeat steps five and six until satisfied

We usually manage to get the look and feel finalised within two or three rounds of proofing - and the result is a design with which you are completely satisfied. If not, we will continue the proofing and amending process until that point is reached.

Once you have approved the look and feel, we will create the funtioning pages of your website, flowing content into a template based on your approved design, laying out text and imagery in the agreed style.

STEP NINE
You approve the artwork for online publishing

Once we have completed the website design and construction, we will ask you for written or e-mailed approval to publish the website. Ultimately, the responsibility for proofreading and textual accuracy lies with our clients, which is why the proofing and proofreading stages are so vital.

STEP TEN
The website goes live

Once you have let us know that you're completely happy with the finished results, we will go live with the website. If there is an SSL security certificate to integrate or online payment processor to organise, we will ensure they are in working order before launching the final version of the website.

Any further queries?

If you have questions which are not answered above, please don't hesitate to call us on 01590 679490 and ask for Nick Beresford-Davies, Creative Director. Alternatively, click here to complete a quotation request form.

Tinstar Design Limited, Londesborough House, 34-35 High Street, Lymington, Hampshire, SO41 9AF
Tel 01590 679490, Fax 01590 688955 :: www.tinstar.co.uk :: design@tinstar.co.uk
Registered in England Wales Number 04464814 :: VAT Registration: 704 2706 64
Tinstar Design is a Hampshire based graphic design company situated in Lymington,
between Southampton and Bournemouth on the southern edge of the New Forest National Park.
Promotional Year Planners by Tinstar Design :: Graphic Design Training :: graphic design job vacancies
Learn essential skills for graphic design employment :: Website Design Training & Using Dreamweaver

Interested in working with Tinstar? Where do we begin with your website?

STEP ONE Let's discuss your requirements

STEP TWO We'll give you an estimate

STEP THREE Agree a budget

STEP FOUR We register your domain name

STEP FIVE We start designing some visuals

STEP SIX We submit proofs for your perusal

STEP SEVEN You return the visuals to us with your comments

STEP EIGHT Repeat steps five and six until satisfied

STEP NINE You approve the artwork for online publishing

STEP TEN The website goes live