The ultimate guide to managing a graphic design project

Learning how to manage a graphic design project can seem overwhelming when you are just starting out. Designers want to be able to take on any number of projects and feel confident in their ability to complete them efficiently and effectively. In this guide, we explore the essential steps involved in managing a graphic design project from start to finish.

Step 1: Defining the project objectives
Before you can manage a graphic design project, you need to know what the objectives are. This will help you plan for all aspects of the project and execute it accordingly.

Step 2: Designing the project timeline
You should work with a client to design a project timeline for the project. It will help you to stay organized and make sure that tasks are completed on time. You should also make sure to include details about who is going to be doing what and when it needs to be finished.

Step 3: Assigning responsibility for project tasks
Assigning responsibility for project tasks is a crucial step of managing a graphic design project. Once the designer has managed all clients' expectations, they can assign specific tasks to each of their team members. For example, a designer may need to communicate with a website developer to ensure that their plans for a website design can be recreated in code by the website developer. If there are too many open tasks, it's important that they delegate them to other team members with the proper skill set - this includes corresponding with a clients Marketing Team if they are providing copy and imagery for creative marketing material or website design.

Step 4: Setting up a communication plan
In order to successfully plan a project, you need to set up a communication plan that the client will be receptive of. They should know who is responsible for what, and when it is expected by. This will help alleviate any confusion about your expectations, create clear deadlines, and result in less project revisions.

Step 5: What does a graphic designer need?
In order to do their job, a graphic designer needs a computer with fast processing power. Some make use of a graphics tablet as well. In addition, they need access to the latest design software, including Adobe Creative Suite. They also need access to the Internet and specific design-related databases.

Before a designer can work on a brief, there is normally a list of copy, images and contact information that needs to be supplied by the client. It is important to factor this in when creating a timeline because you can not turn a project around quickly without all the information you need to create the artwork in the first place.

Concluding thoughts
Writing a graphic design project is challenging, but it's also an opportunity to show your talent and skills. Once you identify the problems, the solutions will come to you. The key is being creative and thinking outside of the box. No matter what challenge you're faced with, just be patient and stay positive.