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This post details everything you need to know as a designer.

Welcome Designers!

I am so glad you are part of our team. Here you will find the basic things you need to know as a designer for Accordus.

 

 

Be sure and bookmark this and come back to it as you have questions along the way. We are so glad you are here and can’t wait to see how your creative skills add so much value to our team and for our clients. Let me know if you have any questions as you start working or about anything you run into on this page. 

 

 

Adrienne Robinson

Creative Director 

[email protected]

 

Designer Benchmarks

These are the 10 baseline expectations for all our designers. We will check in quarterly to make sure you are hitting each of these and talk through what you are doing well/things that need to improve. 

 
  • Meet Deadlines
  • Good time management (produce quality work under Accordus time constraints (We don’t spend hours on designs, especially social media – we juggle lots of assignments/clients at a time)
  • Creative! Always trying to grow/improve creative eye. Can look at designs and give feedback/tell you where things should improve/give examples of how it could be better
  • Consistent, reliable
  • Active Listener (really listen and apply what clients are saying)
  • Strong communication skills/working with a team
  • Receives constructive feedback/criticism well
  • Seeking ways to learn/grow/improve their design
  • Can tell a story through their design
  • Varying skill levels (web/print/digital)

Things we use often:

You are responsible for your own subscription for Adobe Cloud. 
 
  • QR Code Generator

  • Stock Photos/Videos

  • Fonts

    • Google Fonts (all of these are 100% free and available to use)

    • Adobe Fonts (included with subscription)

    • Creative Market (for purchase or free downloads) (if needed for purchase we must get client approval and reach out to the Creative Director)

    • Other free font sites such as Dafont, 1001 Free Fonts, Font Squirrel, etc.

      • IMPORTANT NOTE: Fonts from these sites are generally for *personal use only* meaning we cannot use them for our clients. Make sure the license is available for free before using

    •  

General Project Guidelines

  • Get to know the client.

    • Find their brand guide and follow it, making sure to stick to their style.

    • Look at their website. 

    • Look at previous content, either from the client or work that other Accordus designers have done. 

  • Get inspired.

  • Prepare the project.

    • Determine purpose/goal of project (if not already clear from the TL).

    • Make sure you have all of the assets and content necessary. If you don’t, make sure to follow up and request these things. 

    • The goal is to have the writing/content of an email/social post/print project before you are creating creating the graphics. If you do not have the content, ask your TL or look in the client’s Text Prep documents on the links tab of their Teamwork

    • Set up the project in the required program with correct dimensions.

    • Name and save the file in Dropbox. Include the Client Name (or abbreviation), Project Name, Dimensions, Date, and Version. (Don’t name anything as “Final”)

      • Naming convention template:
        [Client Name] [Project Name & dimensions] [Date YYYYMMDD] [Version]

  • Create!

    • Have fun. Take a deep breath and/or a break if you feel stuck. Reach out to your senior designer or the Creative Director if you want to brainstorm.

    • Make sure to double check your work for accuracy, consistency, and cleanliness (i.e. everything is lined up, extends to the bleedlines if applicable, etc.)

    • Communicate. If have more questions or you’re running behind, communicate and let whoever needs to know.

    • Keep track of photos and fonts in the project folder in DB.

    • Always save your original files as well as the finished files in DB.

  • Send off.

    • Send the DB link to whoever assigned your task in Teamwork.

Dropbox Overview: (if you do not have access to DB or you are having trouble setting it up, reach out to Alex Webber)

  • Learn more here.

  • All files should be saved in the corresponding client’s folder in DB, including your original or working files.

  • Package print files or keep folders with all photos and fonts for larger projects.

  • Be as clear and organized as possible so someone else would be able to find a file quickly and easily. Create folders for older versions of files.

  • Naming Convention:

    • Include the Client Name (or abbreviation), Project Name, Dimensions, Date, and Version. (Don’t name anything as “Final”)

    • [Client Name] [Project Name & dimensions] [Date YYYYMMDD] [Version]

    • Example: CCA YE Postcard 5×7 2020-11-25 v2

  •  

Print Design

  • Set up the document:

    • Program: Generally, larger print projects(more than front and back) should be created in inDesign, while smaller projects can be created in Illustrator or Photoshop.

    • Size: Check various sizing guides below. Always use a standard size (as seen in the guide) to save on time and cost.

      • Envelope & Cards

      • Business Cards

      • Booklets/Annual Reports

      • T-Shirts

      • Banners

      • Flyers/Brochures (prefer no tri-fold brochures)

      • Stickers

    • Bleed: Add .125 in bleed and crop marks for print items. (No bleed on envelopes unless approved by client and/or printer, as this costs more.)

    • Save and name file before beginning design. 

    • Color: File should be set up as CMYK document.

  • Design:

    • Make sure to use true black: C 60 M 40 Y 40 K 100

    • View guides/examples for various types of projects below.

  • Proof:

    • Double and triple-check before sending files to print. Look for typos, errors, any thing you may have missed. Designers are responsible for this as well! Our copy editor, Kelsey, is a great resource.

  • Outline:

  • Package:

    • Package all print files in a Dropbox folder.

    • Learn how: watch video

    • Note: Photos should always be included as links; they should not be embedded as this can diminish the quality of the photo AND make the file incredibly large.

  • Quality Check:

    • Ensure files are under 10 MB when sent to print. Most print files will be saved as high-quality PDFs. 

    • Learn how: watch video 

  • Send:

 

Envelopes:

  • Return address on the back flap (preferred) of envelopes or upper left corner 

  • Envelopes need .5 inch margin around the edges (see examples) 

  • No bleeds on envelopes (unless the client/printer approves, as this costs more)

  • Make sure your dimensions are correct for envelopes and everything will fit. 

 

Postcards:

  • Size should be 6×9 (5×7 at smallest)

  • Accordus preference is to send postcards in envelopes.

  •  
  • SIZING: See sizing guide for cards/envelopes here. Always use a standard size (as seen in the guide) to save on time and cost.
  • PACKAGE: Package all print files in a Dropbox folder folder. Learn how: watch video (coming soon!)
  • BLEED & CROP LINES: add a .125 in. bleed lines on all print pieces and add crop marks for print. Learn how: watch video
  • QUALITY: Ensure files are under 10 MB when we send them to print. Most print files will be saved as high-quality PDFs. Always check the quality before sending it to print. Learn how: watch video (coming soon!)
  • OUTLINE: Outline all of your text in your print file before sending it to print. Learn how: watch video (coming soon!)
  • PROOF: Double- and triple-check before sending files to print. Look for typos, errors, and things you missed. Designers are responsible for this as well! Our copy editor, Kelsey, is a great resource.

Digital Design

 

Watch Dropbox Overview

  

Watch to learn about New Dropbox Organization  

  • Save EVERYTHING in the Accordus Dropbox
  • Always save your original files in Dropbox
  • Always package files with photos and fonts for larger print pieces
  • Create folders for “older versions” to keep them organized
  • Name files in this format: “Client, Project, Dimensions, Date of creation, Version”
  • An example would be: CCA YE Postcard 5×7 2020-11-25 v2
  • Don’t name anything “Final” because there may be more versions after that.

PRINT EXAMPLES: 


Envelopes:

Examples: No.9 Return Envelope ; Large Booklet Envelope 

  • Return address on the back flap (preferred) of envelopes or upper left corner 
  • Envelopes need .5 inch margin around the edges (see examples) no bleeds on envelopes (unless the printer approves, this costs more)
  • Make sure your dimensions are correct for envelopes & everything will fit. See the sizing cheat sheet here.

Postcards:

Examples: HAFP 5×7 card 

  • Postcards should be 6×9 (5×7 at smallest)
  • Postcards should be sent in an envelope (Shae’s preference)

Giving Cards:

Examples: HaTikva (vertical);  Hope Clinic (horizontal) RATL (vertical) HAFP (vertical)

  • Typical sizes: vertical card: 8.5 x 3.5 in. ; horizontal: 6.25 x 3.25
  • We are moving away from putting CC info on mailed pieces (unless the client specifically asks for this)
  • Use QR codes to donate page/landing page for the campaign. Use this generator. 

Stickers

Examples: HaTikva; Hope Clinic

Cover Letters

Examples: HaTikva; Blue Skies 

 

Notecards

Examples: Hope Clinic (5×7 notecard)

CCA Christmas Card


 Business Cards 

Examples: HAFP; 

 

Larger Booklets/Annual Reports

Examples: Hope Clinic Pamphlet 8.5×5.5 

HaTikva 

RATL Annual Report 8.5×11 Vertical 

Martin Snow 8×8 Square Booklet

HAFP 8×8 Square Booklet

Converge Vision Report

T-Shirts

Examples: RATL; Team Blue Line

  • Always use Pantone colors

Retractable Banners

Examples: 6DI; 6DI2; 

 

Brochures
 Examples: 6DI; Converge Brochure

Flyers

Examples: 6DI; Will King; 

  • Additional Notes:
    True Black when sending to print: C 60 M 40 Y 40 K 100

DIGITAL DESIGN: 


Social Media Graphics – 

  • Social media content is housed in each client’s Social Media Prep Document (under the links tab on each client’s Teamwork page) 
  • Save all final files in DB and then transfer them to the Social Media Prep Document
  • All of our social media graphics/photos should be under 4MB or Sendible will compress them automatically which can cause pixelation.
  • All graphics can be square (1080x1080px) and used across social sites unless specified differently by the client.
  • Examples of great social pages: Hope Clinic, Charity Water, 

Email Graphics: 

    • 600+ pixels in width for headers/graphics that extend the whole width of the email 
    • More freedom with body graphic size. See examples below. 
    • Save as PNG
    • Save in high-resolution, double-check for pixelation 
    • Image Requirements for Mailchimp
  • Do not use low-quality photos. Ask the TL to get a better photo from the client 
  • Email examples: 

Great GIF Blue Skies

Story Email Blue Skies

HAFP Story Email

HATIKVA NEWSLETTER

Graphics we like: view here

MAJOR FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGNS: 

DIGITAL

Branding – Campaigns

Sports Made Me

HOHFC

Stronger

Email Series 

  • Most clients (6-8 emails) 
  • Things to consider: Thanksgiving, Christmas, Giving Tuesday
  • At least 1-2 emails with limited graphics (seem to come straight from the Director, CEO)

Social Media Posts

  • Go along with emails, specific to each client/campaign

Landing Page 

  • Themed for the campaign, video, giving form

https://www.blueskiesministries.org/painttheirskiesblue

https://hatikvaproject.org/healing

PRINT

  • The package varies depending on the client
  • STANDARD: Cover Letter, giving card, large envelope, return envelope

Detroit PAL

Blue Skies

  • LARGE: Booklet, giving card, booklet envelope, return envelope

HaTikva

HAFP

  • MISC: Stickers, bookmarks, magnets, postcards, Christmas Cards
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