Everyone from the president of a company to the part-time administrative assistant has had the responsibility of designing a flyer, postcard, poster, etc. Most people are pressed for time, so they start working on the computer with their favorite graphic design program. Little do they know, this actually lengthens the time required to complete your graphic design.

Every designer will tell you to brainstorm, sketch, organize ideas, etc., and I say the same thing. There are a lot of things I do before designing anything, but I’ve created a table that helps me organize my ideas. This chart will help anyone tackling a graphic design project, so put it to good use before you hit the computer to create your masterpiece!

An explanation of each line is included below.

Graphic Design Blueprint Checklist/Chart

1. Qualification:
2. Budget:
3. Format:
4. Aim:
5. Target audiences:
6. Call to action:
7. Delivery term:
8. Response time frame:
9. Items to include:

Qualification – Give your project a title. This will help you organize files on your computer and find them at a later date, because you will always return to an old file.

Budget – You must determine what the total budget of this project is. Setting a budget will help you determine the best way to start your design and what special items and features you can include.

Format – What will this project be like? Is it a 4×6 postcard or a tri-fold brochure? How will it be distributed?

Aim – List here what is the purpose of this piece. Please list why you are creating it, who it is for, why they need it, and what they are supposed to do.

Target audiences – Expand who this project is intended for. Detail demographic, sociographic and psychographic details about your target. This will help you determine how the piece will look and what type of style it should have.

call to action – Explain exactly what you want the target to do. (ie call now at 1-800-555-5555, visit us on the web, or return the enclosed card)

Delivery term – How long will it take to design, print and deliver this piece to your audience? This makes you analyze what will be required for delivery.

Response time frame: How long do you expect the target to take before taking action? This is useful for determining the wording, call to action, and delivery methods. This will also set a point in time to start the feedback analysis.

Elements to include – This should be the longest item on your table. You need to list everything you want in your piece. It is not necessary for me to write all the text, but I include at least subtopics. Also include address information, images, tables, applications, logos, etc. Everything you want in your graphic design project should be included here. If you’re working with a team, you can review these items and remove multiple reviews later.

Feel free to copy and distribute this table. You have been invaluable to me on each of my projects, and I believe you find your projects take less time, look better, and are more effective.