7. STORYBOARDING

Storyboarding is a device used to layout the design and navigation of a site. It could simply be a rough sketch on a scrap of paper. However, I always send out a storyboard to a client before starting to actually layout the site. I recommend laying out rough sketches in Illustrator or Freehand. Use your mind map or Flow Chart to help guide you through this process. Ask your client to sign off on the bottom of this Flow Chart.

8. THINK ART

One of the most engaging attractions of a good web site is its graphics. Listen carefully to your client carefully in order to find out what he wants. If the client can't explain what he is visualizing, help out with a few questions. The following five questions can be used.

1. What sites are visually appealing to you?
2. On a scale of 1 to 10, how important is a fast-loading site to you?
3. What colors are you partial to?
4. Do you already have existing collateral (brochures, catalogs, etc.)? If so, what flexibility do I have with your fonts, logo, and colors?
5. Do you have any art that we need in order to complete this project?

If you are having a hard time finding your creative self, I suggest taking a look at CoolHomePages.com to get a few ideas to build on.

Once you have an idea of what your client is expecting you are ready to storyboard the site.

9. PHOTOSHOP

Now that your client has signed off on your storyboard it is time to start the design process. Finally! Follow these steps to ease the design process.

1. Take a screen shot of your browser.
2. Bring this image into Photoshop and save file.
3. Layout all design elements into layers for home page of site first.
4. Design at least three different design variations.
4. Go to your local service bureau to print out 2 copies of each design, one for you and one for the client. Remember to charge the client for printouts with 5% - 10% markup. Place one of each printout copy into the project's docket, this is your copy.
5. Go to a business supply store, like Staples, and buy black board, a portfolio case big enough to hold several black boards, Utility knife, Exacto knife, spray adhesive, labels, and a straight ruler.
5. Use an Exacto knife and straight ruler to cut off excess paper of Client's printout copy.
6. Measure width and length of the printout.
7. Cut black board to be about 4 inches taller and wider than the printout is.
6. Spray the back of the printout lightly with spray adhesive. After spraying the back of the printout, put one corner down about 2 inches from the top and 2 inches from the left of the black board. Then pull printout taut from the bottom right as you slowly press down the paper from the upper left. This will keep bubbling from happening. There should now be 2 inches of blackboard framing each side of the printout.
7. Place a label on the back of black board with copyright information, your logo, and a place for client to sign off.

If your client is local, setup an appointment in order to show him the mockups. If you have a long distance relationship, I suggest using Fed Ex to ship the mockups to your client. Ask your client to sign off on the back of the mockup that he likes. However, if the client doesn't like any of your layouts, which happens to the best of us, you are back to the drawing board.

Once you get a layout that your client likes, you should rename your Photoshop file to reflect this and move the unused files into an "idea file". There is no reason that these unused mockups cannot be modified for your next client. Also, you should proceed to taked the unused mockup copies out of the project's docket and leave behind the chosen mockups. I would suggest placing unused mockups in a binder for new clients to look at to see what style they like.

Now is when you will be glad that you have created your Photoshop files in layers. Duplicate the already existing file and make mockup files for inside pages as well.

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