As an illustrator, you want to create visuals that match your client's brand identity and expectations. But how do you deliver illustrations that meet brand standards and avoid revisions, misunderstandings, and frustration? Here are some best practices to follow before, during, and after your illustration project.
Before you start sketching, you need to research and understand the brand you are working for. What are their values, goals, audience, tone, and style? How do they use colors, fonts, shapes, and icons? What are their competitors and differentiators? You can ask your client for a brand guide, a mood board, or some examples of their previous or preferred illustrations. This will help you align your creative vision with their brand identity and avoid clashes or inconsistencies.
To meet brand standards with illustrations: 1. Study brand guidelines meticulously. Communicate with clients for clarity. 2. Maintain consistent style and tone. 3. Use mood boards for reference. 4. Seek frequent feedback for adjustments. 5. Ensure every detail aligns with brand identity. 6. Deliver in suitable file formats and sizes. 7. Prioritize brand values and personality. 8. Strive for excellence in every illustration. 9. Enhance brand recognition and resonance.
During the illustration process, you need to communicate clearly and frequently with your client. You can use tools like Slack, Zoom, or email to share your progress, ask for feedback, and clarify any doubts or changes. You can also use platforms like Figma, InVision, or Dropbox to showcase your illustrations, annotate them, and collect comments. You should set realistic deadlines, expectations, and deliverables, and keep your client updated on any issues or delays. This will help you build trust, rapport, and satisfaction with your client.
Clear and frequent communication is essential for successful collaboration between illustrators and clients. Utilizing various communication tools facilitates sharing progress, gathering feedback, and addressing concerns promptly. Setting realistic expectations and deadlines fosters transparency and ensures mutual understanding. By keeping clients updated on any challenges or delays, trust and satisfaction are cultivated, leading to a positive working relationship. Ultimately, effective communication not only streamlines the illustration process but also enhances client satisfaction and project outcomes.
After you receive the brief from your client, you need to follow it closely and respect the specifications and requirements. You should pay attention to the details, such as the size, format, resolution, and color mode of your illustrations. You should also follow the guidelines for the style, tone, and message of your illustrations. You should avoid adding unnecessary or irrelevant elements, or deviating from the brief without consulting your client. This will help you deliver illustrations that meet brand standards and match the client's vision.
One of the best ways to deliver illustrations that meet brand standards is to use vector graphics. Vector graphics are made of mathematical curves and shapes that can be scaled, edited, and transformed without losing quality or resolution. You can use software like Adobe Illustrator, Sketch, or Affinity Designer to create vector illustrations that are versatile, flexible, and adaptable. You can easily change the colors, shapes, sizes, and positions of your illustrations, and export them in different formats and dimensions. This will help you deliver illustrations that are compatible with different platforms, devices, and media.
Before you deliver your illustrations, you need to test and optimize them for different scenarios and purposes. You can use tools like Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, or TinyPNG to optimize the file size, compression, and quality of your illustrations. You can also use tools like BrowserStack, Responsinator, or Google Mobile-Friendly Test to test how your illustrations look and perform on different browsers, screens, and devices. You should also check for any errors, glitches, or inconsistencies in your illustrations, and fix them accordingly. This will help you deliver illustrations that are fast, smooth, and flawless.
After you deliver your illustrations, you need to ask for feedback from your client. You can use tools like Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, or Typeform to create and send a feedback form or survey to your client. You can ask them to rate your work, comment on your strengths and weaknesses, and suggest any improvements or recommendations. You can also ask them for a testimonial, a referral, or a repeat business. This will help you learn from your experience, improve your skills, and grow your reputation as an illustrator.