The design process that Ray Dale Multimedia undergoes to finish a project will vary depending upon the project and it's requirements. All of the design processes shown below are flexible enough to adjust to budgetary requirements where necessary. Therefore, Ray Dale Multimedia can meet low cost requirements in most cases if needed. Please be aware that the full design processes outlined below are geared towards meeting any project requirements in the most complete way possible. Although some processes can be skipped or adjusted to meet tight deadlines or budget constraints - the quality of the results will be less than if a full design process were to be followed.

The design process

Initial brief

All projects start with the initial contact and discussion over requirements. Ideally this should be formed into a document or email discussing the outlines of the project, delivery dates and the expected outcomes.

Counter brief / contract

This is where Ray Dale Multimedia will get back to the client with a 'counter brief' in the form of a document or email outlining a rough project plan based upon the initial brief plus expected costs. This is probably the most essential part of the process and is where discussions evolve this document into an agreement between both the client and Ray Dale Multimedia. As soon as this document is 'signed off' (agreed upon) any up-front costs will be invoiced and will need to be paid before progressing.

Concept Phase

Upon completion of the contract phase, Ray Dale Multimedia can then provide wireframes, storyboards, style boards, sketches or any other concept work (sometimes a combination of methods is necessary) - depending on the type of project that has been agreed upon. Some budgetary constraints can determine that this phase be reduced to a minimum. However, it is not recommended as thorough groundwork to any project through quick and changeable concept work nearly always results in an efficient and lower cost project in the long run.

A strong concept phase will ensure that the project meets expectations from all parties whilst giving lots of opportunities for feedback to make amendments before embarking on the extremely time consuming (and therefore more costly) Design Phase.

Design Phase

This is the most time consuming phase in which to make changes and amendments. This stage of the process is given over to producing near final designs/animations etc. based upon all of the information received so far. Ray Dale Multimedia usually provides a series of design showing general artwork, colours and any content that has been provided. The designs are near to final designs but are built in such a way to allow flexibility if there are any changes needed to elements (such as colours / artwork etc.) If a strong Concept Phase has been finished, the design phase will go very smoothly and become extremely cost effective.

Finishing Phase

This phase is where the client receives the final designs from Ray Dale Multimedia. At this stage it is usually very costly to change anything so 1 iteration of feedback is typically quoted for here to allow for small changes and tweaks to be made before final delivery. If large scale changes are needed - this can be very costly. However, this is rare as the Concept and Design phases are usually more than sufficient to make amendments. 

Delivery!

Finally! You nearly have a shiny new and high quality product whether it is a website, brochure, CD-Rom, video / animation etc. This can be delivered via your preferred method which could be via mail or digitally delivered over a secure download from your online account. Of course your project might be a website for which you have asked Ray Dale to put live for you - if that's the case then you can simply sit back and marvel at your new website.

You might have also requested a content management system as part of your new website delivery. Well, training can be offered to help you get quickly up to speed with your chosen system.