What are the best practices for graphic designers to complete projects on time and within budget?

In my experience, the client has to have an idea of what they want as well. If the client knows what they want, you’ll spend less time on drafts. Understanding the client and keeping in constant communication with them throughout the project is important.

Clear communication and understanding at the start of a design project are crucial. Know the client's expectations, set a deadline, and establish a budget. Be clear on deliverables and feedback. Use documentation tools like briefs, contracts, proposals, and timelines. Setting clear expectations helps prevent misunderstandings and revisions, leading to a smoother project.

Defining scope and expectations usually happens during a discovery call, and the one thing that has helped me not lose focus or lead to unnecessary stress and inefficiencies during project execution is PREDEFINED QUESTIONS. These questions will help you stay on track and ensure that relevant information is obtained. Plus, it will make the meetings much shorter.

Good communication is key to the success of graphic design projects. It's like being part of an orchestra - every member needs to be in harmony. Clear articulation of ideas and progress, addressing challenges promptly, providing and receiving feedback, active listening, and utilizing communication tools are all essential. Good communication not only improves the workflow but also fosters a positive and collaborative team environment.

Communication is the cornerstone of collaboration, especially for those working remotely. It ensures everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goals. I would also like to add that you should always emphasize the "why" behind any design decision; it will help the team to understand the rationale behind it.

In my experience working in cross-functional teams, an organized workflow has always guaranteed an efficient design process. The one thing that saved us time and stress was having checklists. Some projects involved many moving parts and required coordination among different departments. Our Project Manager made sure that the UIUX Designers, Developers, and Marketing each had a checklist, and she had an overall one before the launch.

I developed the habit of seeking clarification whenever I am unsure about something. I believe that assuming things can waste time and add unnecessary stress to everyone involved. I also learned two important lessons, always give feedback on the design itself rather than the designer's ability, especially if you're a senior designer. The second is to offer actionable suggestions, pointing out problems is easy, but proposing solutions is much better.

I love post-launch analysis meetings where every team member will contribute to what they feel about the launch. They discuss what went wrong, what could have been done better, and whether there is any help or tools needed to improve for the next project. This open and collaborative approach was perfect for getting valuable insights from different perspectives. It was also great for improving team chemistry.