I agree with Jesse. Prototypes and good mock-ups seem to do the trick. I have been working with a lot of design agencies lately that farm out the motion design and AS code to me as a freelancer. I have been paying special attention to how they interface with the client and how they get the work. From what I have seen there is a direct correlation between how much time they spend mocking-up designs up front even before they get the job and how often they get the job. I know, I know, that makes sense. But it is really hard sometimes to spend 80 hours on a bunch of design mock-ups not knowing whether of not the client is going to chose you.
I recently asked one of the designers that take this approach and how he feels about his designs not being used sometimes. He said if it is a good flexible design he will often use it for another client down the road. So basically, they eventually get paid for the work anyway. It is the same as code re-use. With this particular design firm, once they get the client they pay me to do a bunch of prototypes and proof-of-concepts as the first round of motion comps that they show to the client. It actually ends up being cheaper and faster then trying to explain the motion design to the client. If you have ever tried to explain how an interface might animate you can see the point of why it is faster to just show them then to try to explain it. "Um... Er... This thingy is going to fade, and the logo scales in from the left then the background blurs in while the mask on the text drops down with a nice Exponential-Ease-In-Out". You get a lot of blank stares and people asking why the text is in Latin, or the prep-school-grads tell you that it is not even real Latin. So basically the most effective workflow that I have seen is: Initial Meeting: Get requirements Detailed Design Comps Second Meeting: Show the mock-ups, Get the Job Create Prototypes and Prove Your Ideas Third Meeting: Show the motion comps and get feedback Build it Forth Meeting: Bug Fixes and Change Requests Deliver Get Paid From Happy Client -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of JesterXL Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 11:58 AM To: Flashcoders mailing list Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] {Business/Workflow} The use of mock prototypes Hrm, opposite for me: http://www.jessewarden.com/archives/2006/02/prototype_solut.html In fact, most turn into projects if you aren't careful. I've found, if you have a talented designer, you're best bet is to get them to create mock prototypes to get in front of users quickly before the actual developers imlement the interface. Change control is challenging in that the designer is responsible for not only keeping track of what changed, but informing her manager who in turn informs the developers. Prioritizing those changes is also challenging because developers obviously think functionality is more important, but it's not their call really. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dwayne Neckles" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, March 01, 2006 1:46 PM Subject: [Flashcoders] {Business/Workflow} The use of mock prototypes Hello folks, Just wondering when you are developing flash site how many folks actually develop flash prototypes or fake quick mock up of how the site functional will feel...it seems like a waste of time to me especially with larger projects... but if someone didnt mind sharing their experiences on whether one should I'd appreciate it. Thanks, Dwayne dnecklesportfolio.com _______________________________________________ [email protected] To change your subscription options or search the archive: http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders Brought to you by Fig Leaf Software Premier Authorized Adobe Consulting and Training http://www.figleaf.com http://training.figleaf.com _______________________________________________ [email protected] To change your subscription options or search the archive: http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders Brought to you by Fig Leaf Software Premier Authorized Adobe Consulting and Training http://www.figleaf.com http://training.figleaf.com _______________________________________________ [email protected] To change your subscription options or search the archive: http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders Brought to you by Fig Leaf Software Premier Authorized Adobe Consulting and Training http://www.figleaf.com http://training.figleaf.com
