Our project methodology starts with a sharp focus on your sales and marketing objectives
…and concludes by marrying these objectives with compelling content and an alluring design.
Dedicated Project Management: In addition to having a full-time project manager, ImageWorks has built a proprietary Web-based project management system that allows you to view all your designs, track revisions, receive updates, make approvals, request support, and even add new tasks to any open project. This system gives ImageWorks a huge advantage over our competition by streamlining the project process and making it available 24/7.
Step 1 – Discovery Meeting/Conference
The ImageWorks marketing team will meet with you and your team in person, via Conference Bridge, or via Online Meeting to learn about your business, your goals and current sales processes, your core values, and your marketing objectives. During this fact-finding brainstorming session, we will review our process methodology, assign a project manager, discuss and prioritize project elements, and gather the required information to complete our Branding Blueprint. This involves:
- Exploring and refining your competitive benefits
- Determining who your competition is and reviewing their online presence
- Assessing your customers’ motivations and buying habits
- Clarifying your UVP (unique value proposition) and sales argument
- Discussing your desired customer experience across all contracted marketing channels
- Deciding on the desired action/conversion you want your customers to take
* If contracted, our Brand Plan will match your marketing media with specific goals and a schedule for execution of these goals.
Step 2 – Messaging and Navigation Planning
Whether you’re creating a custom Web site, a sales presentation, or print collateral, you will need to start with a compelling message and an infrastructure to build upon, which could be an outline or scene-by-scene storyboards. Our team will work with your team to gather the technical content and decide which direction to take, so we can complete preliminary and final messaging (see “Content Optimization” below) as well as outlines/wireframes for Web and e-media.
Step 3 – Visual Direction
All projects undergo ImageWorks’ Visual Direction, a crucial step in our creative process that allows us to bridge the gap between ideas and imagery and meld both with our marketing objectives. For each relevant media format, our creative team will pitch visual ideas to further complement your message and enhance your brand language. Each step that follows is dependent upon this project task.
Step 4 - Image Discovery and Content Optimization
- Image Discovery
Based on the visual direction you require, ImageWorks’ creative team will find or create images that best fit your stated concepts. These images will be incorporated into our first design model, which we will post online in the Client Admin section for your review.
- Content Optimization & Copywriting
While Image Discovery is taking place, we will simultaneously start the copy/content optimization and/or creation process. You provide all technical copy (unless full research and copywriting services have been purchased) and IWS will optimize the pages to be compelling, benefit-oriented, and focused on conversion goals. The final text can be proofed for spelling and grammar by ImageWorks (if contracted) or by a service of your choosing.
Step 5 – Storyboards and Comps
Once you have approved a visual message for each media format, ImageWorks will design a comp and post it online for your review. For print projects, we must have all final approved text prior to starting the design. For Web and interactive projects, we need an approved outline, message, and imagery.
Step 6 – Revisions
The revision process is simple and precise. You will have two rounds of unlimited revisions to posted comps so you can refine the design to your complete satisfaction! Once you get all the necessary feedback and approvals, you can make as many revisions as you need for each of the two rounds. All revisions must be made on our online system so we can efficiently track and manage your projects. If you need any help, your project manager can guide you through the process.
Step 7 – Fulfillment
Once the product has been fine-tuned, ImageWorks will code and test any Web and interactive materials. We will then pre-press print materials and make a final proof. After final approval, the materials are uploaded or sent to press.
