Design
Cultural Arts
Advertising Arts
Independent Publishing
The Dingaroo Process
Suggestions for Stress-Less Designs
STEP ONE
(A little extra planning at this stage goes a long way.)
Determine a realistic budget for your project.
Begin to collect samples of images, textures, sounds, and colors that you like.
Include: fonts, photos, websites, sketches, etc., whether or not you think they relate.
This helps us understand your unique style and the "feel" you want.
Determine your immediate design needs for the next 6 months, such as:
Business Cards, Website Header, Flyer, Brochure, Product Labels, Forms, Signage, etc.
Be realistic about what you need most, why you need it,
and how you will use these materials.
Work backwards from each project. Start with the end in mind.
What is your deadline for finished products?
How much time will the printer/sign maker need?
How much time can be allotted for design, proofing, and changes?
For printed jobs, contact your printer first (see Our Community for recommendations).
Ask for a quote based on your specifications. It is not uncommon for a new business to
go all out and design a beautiful marketing tool that they cannot afford to print and/or mail.
Don't give up your vision, but don't put unnecessary pressure on yourself or your budget.
Start with simpler projects that can become more complex over time, and grow with you.
NOTE: Quality advertising is not necessarily expensive, and expensive advertising is not always quality. If you are a non-profit, flashy and expensive advertising may actually
work against you, as potential donors imagine how you plan to spend their money.
If you are a new business claiming to help others save money, being smart about building
your brand can become a showcase for what you can do for your clients!
PROVIDE:
• Quantity you need
• Size of printed item
• Number of sides being printed
• Full color any side(s)
• Black-and-white or Grayscale any side(s)
ASK:
How long will it take to complete this order?
Where can I find your specs for the designer?
Get a contact name and a phone number, along with a quote number.
We will follow up to ensure a smooth process, and to
reduce confusion, stress, and/or eliminate potential misunderstandings.
NOTE:
The printers we work with have complimented us that our files are clean, load fast,
are easy to work with, and rarely if ever have errors.
STEP TWO
Determine a realistic budget for your project.
Begin to collect samples of images, textures, sounds, and colors that you like.
Include: fonts, photos, websites, sketches, etc., whether or not you think they relate.
This helps us understand your unique style and the "feel" you want.
Determine your immediate design needs for the next 6 months, such as:
Business Cards, Website Header, Flyer, Brochure, Product Labels, Forms, Signage, etc.
Be realistic about what you need most, why you need it,
and how you will use these materials.
Work backwards from each project. Start with the end in mind.
What is your deadline for finished products?
How much time will the printer/sign maker need?
How much time can be allotted for design, proofing, and changes?
For printed jobs, contact your printer first (see Our Community for recommendations).
Ask for a quote based on your specifications. It is not uncommon for a new business to
go all out and design a beautiful marketing tool that they cannot afford to print and/or mail.
Don't give up your vision, but don't put unnecessary pressure on yourself or your budget.
Start with simpler projects that can become more complex over time, and grow with you.
NOTE: Quality advertising is not necessarily expensive, and expensive advertising is not always quality. If you are a non-profit, flashy and expensive advertising may actually
work against you, as potential donors imagine how you plan to spend their money.
If you are a new business claiming to help others save money, being smart about building
your brand can become a showcase for what you can do for your clients!
PROVIDE:
• Quantity you need
• Size of printed item
• Number of sides being printed
• Full color any side(s)
• Black-and-white or Grayscale any side(s)
ASK:
How long will it take to complete this order?
Where can I find your specs for the designer?
Get a contact name and a phone number, along with a quote number.
We will follow up to ensure a smooth process, and to
reduce confusion, stress, and/or eliminate potential misunderstandings.
NOTE:
The printers we work with have complimented us that our files are clean, load fast,
are easy to work with, and rarely if ever have errors.
STEP TWO
Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your timeline, options and estimates.
You may not yet have all the answers to Step One. Bring us what you know so far.
The above suggestions are in no way meant to create more stress for you.
Rest assured, we will walk you through any steps, as you need.
STEP THREE
You may not yet have all the answers to Step One. Bring us what you know so far.
The above suggestions are in no way meant to create more stress for you.
Rest assured, we will walk you through any steps, as you need.
STEP THREE
Allow the organic process to unfold. It's easy to want to rush, but we have found
much better results from following the advice of an acoustic guitar-maker,
"Take your time, because we are in a hurry."
Get it? If you rush building a guitar and you mess up, the whole guitar becomes scrap.
Designing marketing tools is similar. Rushing is a waste of money, because
it works in opposition to allowing the best possible solution to emerge.
We can meet rush deadlines, but we prefer to help you plan ahead.
It will help us all live longer and enjoy it more!
much better results from following the advice of an acoustic guitar-maker,
"Take your time, because we are in a hurry."
Get it? If you rush building a guitar and you mess up, the whole guitar becomes scrap.
Designing marketing tools is similar. Rushing is a waste of money, because
it works in opposition to allowing the best possible solution to emerge.
We can meet rush deadlines, but we prefer to help you plan ahead.
It will help us all live longer and enjoy it more!
Dingaroo Press Arts, Design, & Publishing
PO Box 7388, Van Nuys, California 91409 • (818) 679-3154
kristen@dingaroopress.com
PO Box 7388, Van Nuys, California 91409 • (818) 679-3154
kristen@dingaroopress.com
