#sectionseven

Client Dropping Out: Correcting Errors

The client was unable to dedicate enough time to properly help with the design process, a few days before the deadline he made a public statement that he was stepping down. 

While this was difficult to deal with and Henry (the Deputy Editor) insisted that James should still write the Editor’s letter, I had already done the leg work and had the contacts in the union to ensure the print ran smoothly. The deputy was adjusting to his new responsibilities, so I corresponded directly with the union.

Issues Three

Complications With Content: Correcting Errors & Checking Assumptions

When checking what had been submitted for the next issue, after the writers deadline to ensure the project was running to plan, the client informed me that very few articles had been put forward. Unfortunately this turned out to be four articles that were suitable for print, as one of these was about ‘sex toys’ which I did not feel comfortable designing layouts for. I could have taken content from the website, but only three articles were current and I was reluctant to re use content so this left me with three articles for a 44 page document. 

I asked the deputy editor, the writers and friends to create last min content for me over social media and in person. This all ate into the two week window for designing the issue. Thankfully all the articles were sent over speedily and I soon had almost enough for the issue. 

At this point I turned to my design team, as I had postponed our weekly meet due to no content, to arrange another day to meet and any ideas for more content. They were all willing to be flexible and help out to ensure that there was enough quality content for the issue. 

In the end, one of the design team had a friend who did not mind his personal blog content published and two of my design team were keen travellers so they undertook some travel articles as well as the illustrations for them.

Issue Two

I once again met with the client and the committee to talk about the second issue after print. They were much happier with the way that it was laid out and the content of the issue as well. 

Issue One

I had a meeting with the client and committee post printing of the first issue to discuss the suggestions made in the testing stages. It was agreed that a more minimalist look should be the new goal and that both the Copy Editor and the Deputy Editor would check the PDF files for errors before the issue goes to print. 

Alterations had to be made to the design process as it did not work well for this issue, I had to ensure that there was time for testing, feedback and more research before undertaking the next issue. 

Issue One

The first issue missed the deadline to be sent to print, this was supposed to be in October, however as I was new to the role and had to learn the software and create the issue from scratch, It was decided that this deadline would be pushed back to January. This also gave the magazine time to become established on social media, the new committee time to adjust to their roles and time to establish a good group of writers to create content.

With all this in place, when I undertook the project there was only one week to create the issue before the christmas break. This did not turn out to be a sensible time scale to create the issue. The time for creation was extended to two weeks, and I was given the christmas break to learn the software and prepare. 

I met with the client face to face on the 6th of March as I was in London for the weekend. I asked the client to give me feedback and thoughts on my delivery of the project. Here is what the client said:

.

“Overall I am completely satisfied with the work you have done for me, I know it was your first time doing something like this but I think you did very well and I will be happy to use your work to help me sell my business”

.

Business cards: The new design of the business cards is really good matches the theme of the whole business so well! But Zulekha, I think I will leave them for now but please make sure the option is still available with that same design in case I want them in the future.

.

Instagram: This is the one I was most excited for, I had been inactive for such a long time my followers must have got really bored! I really hope you’ll keep it fresh for me.

.

Promotional Video: The video looks great, I know you haven’t edited videos before so for your first attempt it is pretty good. I think it gives a real feel of what I do and tells customers what they should expect from my cakes.

.

Logo: The logo is just great, what more could I want from it. The colours are not what I initially asked for but I’m glad you went for what you thought would look better. Those colours seem to make the brand! I really like it.

.

I checked the Gantt Chart that I created at the beginning of the project, and due to the fact that I didn’t allow anything to slack, I was running on time. Although the contigency time that I allowed at the end was very useful to me because I was running a couple days behind. I had delivered the project to the client before she had expected, although the business cards are the only thing she will receive a couple days after due to delivery issues. Fortunately, I did not meet any obstacles or difficulties on the way hence the reason I have finished on time. 

.