Briefing for HiveCreators
Ola Amigos!
I've been working on the first phase of our collaboration, and I'm excited to brief you guys on the full scope of the project. I have already been exploring a bit around, so it's getting difficult for me to not start working on it! But... first things first, since we're abroad, and live in different time zones, it is best for us to have a solid foundation, where we have mutual expectations. All I'm asking for is to respect deadlines to finish phases and to have scheduled meetings over voice when this is required from either your or my end.
I'll present the scope of the project so you know what I'll be spending my time on, and below that, I shared the process of feedback and approval. I've also included a transparency report for documentation/educational purposes for Hivers who'd like to follow our collaboration.
@Enrique89:
For approval: please comment on this blog post so I can start with Phase 2: Discovery
For Feedback: please comment or DM me in our group chat on Discord.
Modernize the brand by introducing a new (graphic) style with a visual concept
I have been working on the first phase (definition), to get a better understanding and idea to develop a visual concept that will help modernize Hive's brand identity. I can't include -everything- for obvious reasons, but here is a pretty in-depth report as far as I can publicly share. Feel free to jump in in the comment section, I'm also just human ;). I'll be adding more visuals as we go, for now, I don't want to pollute my brain with ideas as I need to focus on pre-work to form an image/idea in my head.
I have been working on this phase, and have already done some research for about 3.5 hours in total.
Phase 1: Definition
In this phase, I'll be defining the scope of the project. The request was clear: create a new visual concept for Hive that includes "a new style" with "modern graphics". Given the tight schedule of two months, 8 hours a week, it is clear to me that we need to prioritize concepts over actual production. Having seen @Samgiset's and @Grisvisa's work, I have no doubts that it will work out great.
Following these steps, I'm sure we will explore and find out more about Hive. I'm sure it will become more clear on how to utilize Hive's properties and aspects in a uniquely visual way.
Objective
- Modernize the brand by introducing a new (graphic) style with a visual concept
Research and Analysis - Understand Hive's current position in the market, the target audience, and the competition
- Analyze the current visual identity of Hive to identify strengths and weaknesses
- Develop user personas that follow a customer journey that will help with making graphic design decisions
Feedback and Approval Process - Establish a feedback and approval process to ensure that all stakeholders have an opportunity to provide input and approve deliverables
- Define the roles and responsibilities of each party involved in the feedback and approval process
Visual Concept - Develop a visual concept that communicates the brand's personality and objectives
- Create mood boards and style tiles to explore different visual directions
- Refine the visual concept based on feedback and testing
Deliverables - Deliver a final visual concept that includes a modern style for graphics and motion graphics
- Deliver a set of finished graphics and motion graphics that align with the visual concept and objectives
Tools to use - Miro (presentation, brainstorm, collect)
- Discord (communication)
Skills & Expertise - Graphic design principles (color theory, typography, composition)
- User experience (UX) and interface (UI) design
- 2D Motion graphics
- Project management
Communication plan - Communication plan to keep HiveCreators informed of project progress, milestones, and deliverables.
Please bear in mind that it usually can take up to 6-8 months (plus ongoing project management) to develop a proper visual concept. Of course, you can speed things up, you either pay in price or quality. I'm pointing this out as I have been given 64 hours due to allocating a budget for Hive Marketing. 64 hours is a fraction of the 6-8 months that it takes. So, in all reality: it is what it is, but I'm determined to show what could be, if only.... Having that said: I'm positive that insights like these will help to understand why marketing costs are higher than it is right now. Also, since this is "Hive" money, I feel it is my duty to share these insights with all of our stakeholders through the form of a blog (like this).
Real Time Example: Visual Concept + Motion graphics
Budget $40-50K / 50% paid upfront / the other half on delivery
Research and Analysis: 4-6 weeks
Visual Concept Development: 6-10 weeks
Graphic Design and Motion Graphics: 8-12 weeks
Testing and Evaluation: 4-6 weeks
Project Management and Communication: Ongoing
To put things in perspective, and for the sake of expectations for Hivers who have no idea of how much things like these cost, the budget I'm working with is just 4% of that. All right... :D
What I also want to propose, is to focus on and develop 1 or 2 macro themes (which I need to explore). This gives us the possibility to branch out in other themes with perhaps, other themes, or a combination of themes/styles. This way, we won't put all of our eggs in a time-based-visual basket but have more room/time to grow and work on that theme during the rest of our time on Hive. Literally.
It also should give more variety to Hive, which then hopefully welcomes other graphic designers to adopt the theme/style or to get inspired by that same style and build something better on top of it.
Feedback and Approval process
Since there are 6 phases (+1 last one for delivery), I'd like to work with feedback and approval rounds that will secure mutual expectations, and to keep us sharp along the collaboration. With this set-up it will be clear for you when to give feedback, and when to give an approval so I can continue.
The Feedback process
Due to the time-frame each phase will include 1 round of feedback with a deadline of 3 business days on request. Within this timeframe, you will have to provide me with constructive feedback, meaning if something is deemed "good": tell me what and why, and the same for if something is "bad": tell me what, why and suggest (realistic) improvements. Being on the same page constantly is absolutely a priority, and it can't hurt to adjust a few things to get it right.
The Approval process
Without feedback and a clear approval, I can't continue.
Applicable Phases
Phase 1: Definition | 1 Round of feedback | Requires Approval
Phase 2: Discovery | 1 Round of feedback | Requires Approval
Phase 3: Development | 1 Round of feedback | Requires Approval
Phase 4: Gathering visuals, creating a mood board | 1 Round of feedback | Requires Approval
Phase 5: Pre-Production | 1 Round of feedback | Requires Approval
Phase 6: Post-Production | 1 Round of feedback | Requires Approval
Suggestive Dates: (these are not final, some aren't even realistic)
3-03 (Friday): Presentation Definition
06-03: Deadline Feedback & Approval
10-03 (Friday): Presentation Discovery
13-03: Deadline Feedback & Approval
17-03 (Friday): Presentation Development
20-03: Deadline Feedback & Approval
24-03 (Friday): Presentation Gathering
27-03: Deadline Feedback & Approval
31-03 (Friday): Presentation Pre-Production
03-04: Deadline Feedback & Approval
07-04 (Friday): Presentation Post-Production
10-04: Deadline Feedback & Approval
14-04 (Friday): Final presentation
17-04: Deadline Final Feedback
The idea is that after every presentation, 3 days later there will be a deadline.
I'd like to schedule weekly voice meetings with max. 1 hour to go through and talk with each other so we can enhance our collaboration.
Do you approve?
So, now that's all clear, let's get stuff going.
@Enrique89:
For approval: please comment on this blog post so I can start with Phase 2: Discovery
For Feedback: please comment or DM me in our group chat on Discord.
Cheers,
Ruben