Sunday post #05

I’m noticing a trend, our clients want support with the same thing at the moment, presentation decks and diagrams. Here’s how I collaborate on this type of project at VS+YO:

Presentation design process

1. Listen and learn

We start by having a call to hear the client talk through the deck. We want to learn who the presentation is for, what it is for and understand what each slide is trying to communicate so that we can design effectively. We also discuss how the client wants the presentation to look and feel, should it stick to brand guidelines or do they want something new?

2. Sketch

Post call we talk through our notes and the slides and create rough sketches of each layout and any diagrams so that we know what we need to do next. We like to think before we go onto the Mac.

Quick sketch for presentation design diagram

3. Brand

We create a master deck in the client’s preferred tool, adding fonts, colours and updating master slides to keep everything consistent and on brand.

4. Design

We have a branded presentation template and our ideas sketched out we crack on with designing the slides.

5. Review + Finalise

Once we have everything looking good we share the designed presentation deck and have a call to discuss the design. We learn what’s working and anything that needs further development. At this stage, the client often edits the presentation and sends it back to us to tidy up, make amends and finalise.

I love working on presentations with clients as they can be the most collaborative of design projects. I get a real insight into the business and learn how they want to be perceived which is valuable when I go on to work on other brand and design projects with them.

Location, Location

Work locations this week included my Sister’s house, Bristol Airport, the gym and the VS+YO studio. I’m looking forward to being in one place next week.

Support and inspiration: My view working from my sister’s home on Tuesday. Pictured are my sister, Louise, and my Mum, they are always inspiring me with their creations. Louise illustrates, designs and makes clothes, and Mum makes jewellery, knits and crochets.

Note to self: Nothing important happens in the office

On Friday, I met VS and a client for a pre-work coffee (hot chocolate for me). We were sharing what was happening with our business and our client stopped us and asked: “What can I do to help?”.

How many people do that? I was blown away by her kindness, generosity, and speed as she whipped out her phone to contact a person she thought could help us. This note is a reminder to make time to get out of the office and to both, ask for help and ask to help.

Go outside challenge

Technically I made it outside every day this week, but due to travel and my focus being on work, I didn’t put in much time and effort. This meant I forgot to take an evidence photo on Wednesday, doh! Next week I will nail it.

Day 29 - Woodland walk

Day 30 - Airport ride

Day 32 - Sky and cross

Day 33 - Road lines

Day 34 - Found ❤️

Day 35 - Lines, textures and colour pop