How can you design graphics collaboratively for a competition?

2 Set a goal and a deadline

The next step is to set a clear and realistic goal and a deadline for your collaborative graphic design project. You should consider the requirements and criteria of the competition, such as the theme, format, size, style, and message of your graphics. You should also think about your target audience, your purpose, and your unique value proposition. How do you want to stand out from the competition and communicate your ideas effectively? You should also agree on a deadline that gives you enough time to create, review, and submit your graphics, without rushing or procrastinating.

3 Assign roles and tasks

The third step is to assign roles and tasks to each member of your collaborative graphic design team. You can use tools such as Trello, Asana, or Google Tasks to organize your workflow and track your progress. You should decide who is responsible for what aspects of the project, such as research, brainstorming, sketching, designing, editing, or presenting. You should also define the scope, expectations, and deliverables of each task, and set milestones and checkpoints along the way. You should also communicate frequently and clearly with your team members, using tools such as Slack, Zoom, or Google Meet.

4 Share feedback and iterate

The fourth step is to share feedback and iterate on your graphics until you are satisfied with the final result. You should seek constructive and honest feedback from your team members, as well as from other sources, such as mentors, peers, or potential customers. You should also give feedback to others in a respectful and supportive way, focusing on the strengths and weaknesses of the graphics, not the person. You should use tools such as Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, or UserTesting to collect and analyze feedback from a larger sample of users. You should also be open to suggestions and changes, and test different versions of your graphics until you find the best one.

5 Finalize and submit

The last step is to finalize and submit your graphics for the competition. You should check the quality and consistency of your graphics, and make sure they meet the specifications and standards of the competition. You should also proofread and edit your graphics for any errors or typos, and optimize them for speed and performance. You should also add any credits, acknowledgments, or references to your graphics, and make sure you have the permission and rights to use any images, fonts, or icons. You should also review the submission guidelines and deadlines of the competition, and submit your graphics in the appropriate format and channel.

6 Celebrate and learn

The final step is not really a step, but a reward. You should celebrate and learn from your collaborative graphic design experience, regardless of the outcome of the competition. You should acknowledge and appreciate the efforts and contributions of your team members, and share your feedback and insights with them. You should also reflect on what you learned, what you enjoyed, and what you can improve for your next project. You should also keep in touch with your team members, and look for more opportunities to collaborate and create graphics together in the future.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?