Workflow example - designers working with a project manager

“I want to give the designers access to upload files so that I can create a proof and manage the workflow. The client will access the proof I create and comment/approve.  I do not want the designers to have the option of posting a “proof”, only a “file share” so that I can create the proof.  What is the best workflow situation for me?”

Here is our recommended workflow:

1. Designer logs in and uses the New > File Share function.  Makes you the Owner.  Does not need to share the file with you as you are the owner.
2. You receive an email saying “File uploaded” for you.
3. You log in and find the file on the Dashboard or in the Shared Files list in All Items.
4. You click on the actions menu in the Shared Files list and select “Convert to proof”.  You can then set the proof settings as normal and add your client.

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Your client does not need to have a login as they receive proof links by email.

If you have any workflow question, please feel free to email us.

Design approval workflow

We spend quite a lot of our time advising clients on the best way to configure ProofHQ to suit their approval processes.

Here is an example of a workflow that we have been working on this week with one of our large agency clients.  This workflow involves rounds of internal review within the agency before the account manager includes the client in the review process. 

There are a few neat techniques that we have used in the workflow:

• The art director uploads the proof, but makes the account manager the owner.  This saves having to email large files around the agency.
• Not everyone in the agency needs to see the proof after the initial version, so they can be easily removed when new versions are created.
• The client is only added to later versions, which means that they can’t see all the comments made by agency staff on the earlier versions.  This gives the internal team the ability to provide detailed and open feedback.

Here is a detailed description of that workflow:

Agency Web Designers Take Note

It has always baffled me why so many agencies have long and pointless Flash intros on their websites.

This sums it up… Do I need a Flash Intro?

Great agency blog from Calliope

Many agency blogs are not kept up to date and don’t really contain anything of value or substance.  One of the best agency blogs that we have come across recently is from Calliope.  Check out their blog here.

 It’s a great mix of “how to’s”, industry news and advice. Here’s one on Creating a Publication Blueprint.

Design: Art vs. Process

Successful design has two halves: innovative art and smart processes.

Process?  For design?

Many designers shy away from the idea of developing processes for their work because they feel it will restrict their creativity. They think that if they go about producing a design the same way every time, everything they turn out will be uniform, mechanical, and boring.It’s true that too much process and not enough art can result in design with no new innovation. But having processes can also free up the huge part of your brain that focuses on the mundane day-to-day aspects of design to focus on what you really love to do - art.

Learn more »

Setting up your workflow in ProofHQ - post four

This is the fourth of a series of posts showing you different ways to configure ProofHQ to suit the way your organisation works.

ProofHQ is designed to be a simple to use as possible.  It is easy to create proofs, easy to review proofs and easy to manage versions. Different companies work in different ways, so there are some things you can do to set-up ProofHQ to fit closely with the way you work. These posts will show you how to do that.

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Adding Freelancers to the Team

Post update - see Knowledge Base.

Setting up your workflow in ProofHQ - post three

This is the third of a series of posts showing you different ways to configure ProofHQ to suit the way your organisation works.

ProofHQ is designed to be a simple to use as possible.  It is easy to create proofs, easy to review proofs and easy to manage versions. Different companies work in different ways, so there are some things you can do to set-up ProofHQ to fit closely with the way you work. These posts will show you how to do that.

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Internal Review before sending a proof to clients

Post update - see Knowledge Base.

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Setting up your workflow in ProofHQ - post two

This is the second of a series of posts showing you different ways to configure ProofHQ to suit the way your organisation works.

ProofHQ is designed to be a simple to use as possible.  It is easy to create proofs, easy to review proofs and easy to manage versions. Different companies work in different ways, so there are some things you can do to set-up ProofHQ to fit closely with the way you work. These posts will show you how to do that.

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Designers working with Project/Account Managers

Post update - see Knowledge Base..

Setting up your workflow in ProofHQ - post one

This is the first of a series of posts showing you different ways to configure ProofHQ to suit the way your organisation works.

ProofHQ is designed to be a simple to use as possible.  It is easy to create proofs, easy to review proofs and easy to manage versions. Different companies work in different ways, so there are some things you can do to set-up ProofHQ to fit closely with the way you work. These posts will show you how to do that.

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Basic Workflow

Post update - see Knowledge Base.

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Do Elance, Guru and Crowdspring kill the market for freelance designers?

Jeremy Tuber of Being a Starving Graphic Artist Sucks has written a great review based on a recent article in Forbes magazine telling business owners how to cut their design costs using sites like Crowdspring, Elance and Guru.

The article was written in Forbes on February 16th called, “The Creativity of Crowds,” by Christopher Steiner.

Jeremy says that the problem is not that these sites exist - they have been around for years, but that they are creating a cult of “amateur design is acceptable”.  Add to this the need for all businesses to save money and professional designers start to feel the squeeze on rates and income.

However, Jeremy counters this by saying that ultimately good design wins because it gets a better result for the client.

Our view is that professional design beats amateur design hands down purely from a business perspective.  The way for professional designers to maintain their competitive edge is to be hyper-efficient.  Use good systems and processes to produce great design in less time.  This means that they can choose to increase their margins, reduce their charge rates or spend more time finding and winning new business.

Good designers who are INEFFICIENT designers lose twice.  They make less money and they don’t serve their clients well.