how it works: the creative services process

To demystify the process, and help our customers better understand what to expect, CH has created a guide of how the creative process works.

1. QUESTIONNAIRE
   We ask that you fill out our initial questionnaire, which will help us understand the who, what, why, where, and how of you and your salon. This is our first real glimpse into your business, so be sure to take the time to carefully think out and develop your answers. It’s essential that you are thorough and (this is really important) detailed.
   
   Please use descriptive language and pinpoint your client demographic. These questions are not just an exercise – they are an important part of the process. They get you really thinking about what you want for your business and help us to gain an understanding of what you need.
   
   
2. CONSULT
   In a perfect world your questionnaire has already been filled out and sent back to CH Creative before our initial consultation. Things kick into high gear once we have you have a clear project (big or small) to discuss. This is a time for both of us to ask the other questions and develop a real rapport. Together, we will review the questionnaire and you will have the opportunity to amend and further develop the ideas you expressed.
   
   
3. PACKAGE OR PROJECT CHOICE
   The phone consult is also a key decision-making time. We will discuss your options in regard to branding packages or a la cart marketing materials and help you to decide on one right for you and your business. This is also when you will make your first payment so that we can carry on to the conceptualization phase and start developing your new brand or marketing material piece.
   
   All jobs are quoted and invoiced before work is begun. We require a 50% deposit up front to begin work, and then the remaining amount is charged before sending to print. Design fees are based on CH Creative printing your job; live files can be purchased for an additional cost if needed.
   
   
4. CONCEPTUALIZATION/IDEATION GENERATION
   After a clear project has been decided, a brainstorming session begins as we set to work on creating concepts for your brand or project. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes action, drafting concepts, writing copy, illustrating design elements - giving life to your brand.
   
   
5. CONCEPT TO DESIGN DECISION
   You will be presented with the initial concepts for your design or marketing piece. Based on your project or package, you will receive a number of items at this time, such as logos, accents, tag lines and the like. It is now time for you review these "drafts" and make some decisions. Try them on, see how they fit, think about each concept carefully and consider what works and what doesn’t. The good thing is that you and we have already taken the time to think things through before we ever got started putting ink to paper, so these concepts should be very close to what you had imagined in the initial stages of this process. Our experience has taught us what works in this regard-that is why we have all of these steps. However, it doesn’t mean that every concept is perfect every time. So, if there are real issues in this stage, now is the time to identify them.
   
   
6. REVISE AND REFINE
   In a perfect world, you receive three "perfect" concepts and your toughest decision is which design works best for you. But, we know that revisions will, most likely, be necessary – however minor they may be. In most cases, you find that at least one of the concepts (usually two) is to your liking and you’re ready to move forward with that design. At this point in our journey it’s time to take a step back and see how we can make your chosen brand fit even better. Revision is a normal process and an important element in the design package. We are professionals and conduct ourselves as such, so don’t be afraid to offer critiques of the concepts we’ve provided. That said, it is also important to keep in mind that revision does not constitute a re-conceptualization. If you have been a proactive part of this process, the concepts we send you should be visual representations of the ideas you helped to create. All that will be necessary is a few tweaks here and there, such as color changes, font alterations, layout, etc. In other words, with very few exceptions, we will not scrap these designs to create a new slate of concepts. That is not revision. Again (underscore this), we work to make this a reciprocal process – so long as you are onboard and active in that process, you will see concepts that match with your wants and needs.
   
   
7. FINAL APPROVAL AND PRINT PRODUCTION
   After the revision process we’ve arrived at our destination … the best design for your business ever created! Once your final design is approved with a signature, your second payment for the package is due. After the payment is received, we send art to our printing partners for production of your deliverables. It is at this time that printing quotes are provided (although estimates can be provided at an earlier date) - quotes are based on quantity, paper stock, and type of printing. In support of the environment we print our pieces on a post consumer uncoated recycled paper using soy or vegetable-based ink. All of our pieces, excluding gift cards, are printed on uncoated paper unless otherwise specified.
   
   
8. CELEBRATE
   And so, after all of that-the thinking, deciding, conceptualization, creation, revision and completion of your brand – all that is left to do is for your clients to fall in love with your business’ new look and feel. Pop the champagne, order a deep-tissue massage, and celebrate making an intelligent and beneficial investment in your business.