The BLD Experience
Putting your trust, and investment, into a designer can feel daunting. I’m here to make it easy, fun and collaborative.
step
.01
let’s make it official
Once you’ve decided the service that is right for you, I recommend having a read through my FAQs. Then, to kick things off you’ll need to complete my booking form. It’s designed to gather all the basic details I need to enable me to send you a bespoke proposal. I’ll review your booking request, and assuming we’re a perfect match, I’ll be in touch via email with your proposal.
After you’ve confirmed we’re good to go, I’ll send over your contract and an invoice for your deposit. You’ll need to make payment and return your contract by a certain date to secure your booking.
step
.02
welcome to the hive!
As soon as you’re officially booked in, you’ll also be given access to a dedicated area on my website – your Hive. As well as using it to submit any info I need, this is where you’ll keep track of your project and review my design work.
Before we begin, there’s work to do, so make a note of your tasks and any relevant deadlines. I’ll check-in closer to your project start date to see how you’re getting on and schedule a consultation.
step
.03
brand discovery
Next up, you’ll need to complete my Brief Questionnaire – a carefully curated questionnaire to ensure I understand your brand perfectly.
The questionnaire explores 20-30 questions (depending on the package you book) and cover everything from why you started to any preferences you may have on the design. Please set aside time to complete this form. I recommend at least an hour.
Once I’ve received your answers, it’s time for your consultation. We’ll chat about everything from understanding your ideal client to the pretty details such as typography and colours. Then the design work begins. YAY!
If you’re a Rise Website Design client, skip to step seven.
the brand process
skip to: booking • the website process
step
.04
strategy
On your Project Start Date, I’ll get to work researching, developing, sketching and experimenting before presenting you with the design strategy. This will showcase what I think will work visually for your brand. You’ll choose the inspiration board(s) you’d like to move forward with, and I’ll make a start on your design concepts.
step
.05
the brand coming to life
You’ll be presented with two design concepts, each of which will fully showcase a complete brand identity. This will help you visualise, and get excited about, how your new brand could look. You’ll choose your favourite and we’ll make any refinements (if required) before moving on to finalise your full style guide, colours, patterns and textures.
step
.06
let’s celebrate!
Once these things are in place and you’re bursting with excitement and pride, you’ll be asked to officially sign off on your branding. Your logo pack will then be delivered.
If you’re an Elevate client, you can fly the design hive, confident your branding is a true representation of your business. If you’re a Soar client, it’s time to dive into the website process…
For Elevate clients, this is where your final payment falls due. For Soar clients, your second installment falls due.
step
.07
website foundations
First, we’ll take some time to chat about your vision for the new website, covering the technical elements as well as the pretty ones. It’s really important I build you a site that’s functional as well as gorgeous, so we’ll probably talk through your own client experience and day-to-day admin to see if there’s anything your website can do to make running your business a breeze.
I’ll also read through all of your site copy, check over your images, and most importantly, ensure your site map flows beautifully. This is where we figure out how clients will move through your website, and ultimately, how they’ll reach your desired end goal. After that, you can put your feet up and enjoy the ride!
step
.08
site development
I don’t outsource your website development to anyone. I take care of the entire process which means I work a little differently to other Designers you may have worked with before. Although I do digitally sketch out your website framework for my own purposes, I delve straight into the site development. This means your first peek of your new online home will be a fully functioning website – how exciting! I do this for two reasons:
1. My clients are visual thinkers. They like to see, test, and experience their brand on a real website rather than an imaginary site or by viewing a flat PDF.
2. I’ve been in this design game for 13 years and, brag alert, when my clients are presented with their website, they rarely request anything other than image and design changes. By developing the site first, it cuts down the overall turnaround time and gives you a more seamless experience.
Trust me, it works and you’re going to love it.
For Soar clients, your third installment falls due. For Rise, your second installment falls due.
step
.09
tweaks & perfections
I truly believe in working collaboratively with my clients. After being presented with your new website, you’ll have three opportunities to request refinements. You’ll provide your feedback via your Hive using my bespoke feedback process, ensuring no stone is left unturned! You’ll be set deadlines for each round of refinements and it’s a good idea to make a note in your schedule and allow plenty of time for previewing your beautiful new website.
Towards the end of the refinements process, I’ll begin to prep for your launch and ensure you have everything in place hosting wise to allow for a smooth transition from my server to your domain.
For Rise, your third installment falls due.
step
10
pour the champagne!
When you’re ready to show-off your new site, I’ll migrate the website to your domain and we’ll put a launch date in place. You’ll be given access to my online video tutorials and post-launch site guidelines. Once the website is live, you’ll receive four weekly emails packed full of hints, tips and advice to help you make the most of your new website.
For the first twelve months after launching, you won’t need to worry about day-to-day site maintenance. I’ll take monthly back-ups and ensure all plugins are up-to-date and running smoothly. The website is yours to do with as you wish, but I’ll always be around should you prefer to hand over updates to me.
Your final invoice falls due just prior to your new site launching.
“I now feel I have a website that truly reflects who I am, what I do, and what I stand for too. I adore every inch of it.“
nat raybould
the bld ethos
a foundation of:
collaboration,
kindness & trust
am i the designer for you?
Because this works best if we’re a perfect match…
With over 14 years’ experience as a Designer, I’ve helped brands of all shapes and sizes, but it’s working with small creative businesses and passionate solopreneurs that sets my heart aflutter.
My clients know good design when they see it and they understand its value to their business. Whether you’re just starting out or a few years in, you’re here because you’re ready to push forward, take a leap and fly.
I’ve been where you are, and I know how exciting it is when an email from your dream client lands in your inbox. Together, through intentional, thoughtful and showstopping design we’re not only going to make your brand irresistible to your dream clients, we’re going to set your business up for success, whatever that may mean to you.