It’s that time of year again and the wheels are in motion to get your Annual Report designed and ready for online and print delivery.
I’ve got a couple of tips about creating the perfect workflow that your company and your designer can use to make things super easy.
No. 1
Establish a great relationship between the various parties from the outset – a common goal is needed – that everyone follows. This goal of course is open communication and a smooth design, production and printing plan.
No. 2
Key dates must be agreed upon in the first meeting – sign off on concept design, copy and content to the designer, delivery date to the mail house etc. With out these dates written down and everyone ticking off on the dates, complications will arise.
No. 3
This one is for the designers, you must organise your time really well and make sure the client is informed on the progress all the way through the workflow. How concept designs are going, dates the proofs will be ready, delivery dates from the printer. Communication, communication, communication…
No. 4.
Get two fully printed and bound proofs from a digital printer and have both parties (client and designer) read through it from start to finish. When you see the final printed version it is too late – these days you can get a high quality bound proof in a day and see it before you press the button.
No. 5
Make sure the electronic version (PDF) has bookmarks in place and an interactive contents page, this is easy to do using Adobe Acrobat and creates a dynamic file that viewers will love.
These are just a few ideas to help you get into a great rhythm with your Annual Report and make it a pain free experience for everyone.
Good luck and let’s create some awesome Annual Reports this season.
