When you first think about designing for a website, it might feel like there’s no way to know if it will work or not. It’s not something you can just jump into once you find your niche and get stuck with it. But that’s exactly how much control we have over the process.
Yehuda Oratz is a Lakewood-based graphic designer who helps clients build their businesses. He goes through many different stages in his creative process and has come across many different challenges. One of the most difficult things for him was coming up with ideas for his blog, which is why he made it a point to read as much as possible before he even sat down to begin designing a new blog site. Here are the key questions that Yehuda Oratz believes you should ask clients, and would eventually help you get started on your own graphic design journey:
What is the project about?
In this section, you’ll want to be as detailed as possible. Make sure the client explains the purpose of their brand, product, or service. The answer to this question should be a foundation to start with, allowing you to get a basic understanding of your client’s company and their industry. Yehuda Oratz typically has them list the services and/or products they provide and also ask about their mission and values.
Who is the target audience?
This is another important question you need to ask. The answer to this question will help you decide what type of content you will include and how you will present it. After all, you’re creating a brand for their target audience not for the marketing director or CEO of the company.
What are your customers saying about you?
This is a really interesting one. You’re essentially building a relationship with their customers through your design. Are they positive or negative? You want to make sure your thoughts are in line with what customers have to say.
Take note of their strengths and what people notice about them, but also learn how they could improve. As a follow-up, Yehuda Oratz usually asks, “What do you wish they said?” By asking that, you can identify any potential problems and begin to resolve them.
What problem are you solving?
Clients’ businesses are built around this. Understanding the problem is the key to solving it. This question is probably answered in all the other questions, but it’s important to ask directly so they have time to think about it. Although clients know what they are doing day-to-day, they can lose sight of what the actual problem is or why they are trying to solve it.
Where do you see your company in 20 years?
Understanding your client’s goals and where they are going is essential. The brands Yehuda Oratz creates are timeless, not trendy. You should know if your client plans to expand or enter a new market in the future. In addition, this will allow you to invest in their vision and create more opportunities to partner together creatively.