A design guide is provided with a creative project to help the client understand the thoughts and efforts that went into the execution of the project. The document helps to showcase the project and highlights its major features which indirectly bring into focus the expertise and abilities of the executing agency. For instance, a firm known for
web design services in Vancouver created a website for a kids television channel. It included a style guide along with the project delivery which was created in the form of a comic book. This created a good impression in the minds of a client and established the image of the firm as an innovative agency. In this article, a list of valuable suggestions that can help create an effective document is being presented.
rn1. Define The Design Guidelines
The document must be used to define the design guidelines that were used for creating the prject. Include a list of all the colors used in the design along with the typographical elements. Explain why a certain font was used at a particular place. Similarly, give reasons for the choice of colors. Detailing in such a manner will help the client in not only understanding the thought behind the design, it will provide an idea about the technical nature of the elements used.
2. Adopt The Right Tone
As mentioned earlier, it is important to choose the correct tone while creating a style guide. The image of the clients and the nature of their business must be kept in mind during the creation. Adopting a fun tone while writing a guide for a legal firm will never be a sensible option. Moreover, communicating in the correct tone will project you as a thorough professional who has an understanding of the client’s business.
3. Create More Than One Version Of The Guide
All the details of the document will not be required by the client on an everyday basis. It can be a tedious job to refer to a voluminous guide to locate something minor. It will be sensible to create two versions of the guide, one with complete details and the other with only the important information that will be needed regularly.
4. Include Code Snippets
One of the most important points to be kept in mind while creating a design guide is that the vital code snippets used in the project must be included in it. This will be helpful to technically proficient clients who can undertake minor modifications or maintenance work themselves. It will also reduce the workload of the design agency. For instance, the code used for blog posts will enable the client to upload fresh material and free the design professional from the tedious task.
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rn5. Showcase The Brand Identity
The Vancouver-based firm also provided graphic design services. It asked its professionals to showcase its own brand identity in a visual form in the document. The designers included their agency’s logo at various places. They also displayed images from some prestigious past projects that their firm had successfully executed. This indirectly created a visual imprint of their brand in the mind of the client.
6. Do Not Use A Preachy Tone
A common mistake committed while creating the document is to use a preachy tone and include do’s and don’ts. Remember that you are writing for other professionals who may possess knowledge about your field. Use a gentle tone while explaining things. Categorize the whole document into different sections to make it easy to read.
7. Do Not Create A Voluminous Document
Another cardinal rule of creating an effective document is to never create a huge volume. Include all the essential information but do not create such a large guide, that the client gest discouraged on seeing it. As mentioned in the earlier tip, you are creating a guide for other professionals who are intelligent enough to understand even concise ponts.
Conclusion
A design guide is an opprotunity to impress a client with your creativity and skills. Invest as much planning in its creation as you would do in designing a project.