The purpose of hiring a design or marketing firm is ultimately to increase visibility and/or sales for any product, service or company.

At AXIS visual creative answers are utilized to achieve this goal. But some companies don't know how to best work with creative organizations. Although many different firms work in many different ways, at AXIS we use an efficient method for bringing the world of business and creativity together.

Different projects usually involve different processes but a basic work flow with AXIS involves the following phases:

Phase 1
Discussion of the project parameters. This is important for us to determine aspects of the project such as the audience, the personality of your company, the message that you are intending to deliver, the budget of the project, specific likes and/or dislikes and a rough project time frame.

Phase 2
With the project parameters in mind an estimate is developed and sent to you for your approval.

Phase 3
Once the estimate is approved the initial thinking is done. This phase essentially creates the plans or blueprints for the development of the project. This stage in shown to you for your response. It can take the form of loose sketches, computer layouts that can be delivered as PDF files or posted on the web for discussion and approval. The main point of this phase is to explore different creative solutions to your project and show this thinking to you without spending unnecessary resources working on finished production when a final graphic and/or conceptual approach has yet to be determined.

Phase 4
Once the approach has been chosen, the next phase of the project development can be accomplished. This varies with each project but the purpose is to show you the evolution and direction. Nobody likes surprises late in the game when there is little time or budget to make revisions so a more complete comprehensive of the project is shown. Sometimes additional resources such as illustration and photography are hired at this phase. A discussion of the style, costs, and timing usually takes place prior to any purchase in order to get your approval.

Phase 5
Prior to printing or final uploading of a web site there needs to be a last check on the approved layout. This is done to give you a last chance to approve the copy, design, colors, and layout. Generally speaking, the later in a process changes are made the more they cost. Sort of like building a house and then deciding that the foundation needs to be a foot taller. You get the picture. So this is the phase where your final approval is critical. This might take place with a few comprehensives or just a single one. You may have noticed that at AXIS you are part of the creative process.

Phase 6
Delivery of the final product to the printer or to the live server. For web sites, there may be some additional "Back End" work in order to connect forms, databases, etc. For print media, a printer will do their prepress work and generate one last approval cycle (commonly referred to as a blueline or digital proof). This gives both you and AXIS the chance to see exactly what you will be getting. Proofreading is critical throughout all but the earliest phases but none more than this phase. Once the printer gets the official "go" they are obligated to produce what has been approved.

Phase 7
Final delivery. What more can be said. It's like opening presents on your birthday.