7. Client Onboarding
Introduction:
Every great project begins with a partnership, a meeting of minds that sparks creativity and sets the stage for something remarkable. At Blacksmith, we believe that the onboarding process is not just a formality—it’s the foundation of a successful collaboration. It’s where we align our visions, understand your goals, and lay the groundwork for delivering exceptional work.
Let me take you through what you can expect as we embark on this creative journey together.
1. Discovery: Uncovering Your Vision
It all starts with a conversation. This is where we get to know you, your brand, and your vision. We’ll ask the right questions to uncover what makes your brand unique, what your goals are, and how you envision your audience interacting with the final product.
We don’t just dive into the details—we start by understanding the big picture. This is where your story begins to intertwine with ours.
Kickoff Meeting: We’ll set up an initial meeting where we’ll discuss your project’s scope, objectives, and desired outcomes. This meeting is all about getting on the same page and ensuring we fully grasp your vision.
Brand Deep Dive: If needed, we’ll do a deep dive into your brand, studying your current materials, past campaigns, and target audience to ensure our approach aligns with your identity.
Example: When we first met with Meta for the "What We Know About Work" project, our discovery phase revealed that they wanted something that broke away from their usual corporate tone. By understanding this early, we were able to tailor our approach and exceed their expectations.
2. Strategy and Planning: Charting the Course
Once we’ve uncovered your vision, it’s time to chart the course. This phase is where we take what we’ve learned and translate it into a clear, actionable plan. Our goal is to ensure that every step of the production process aligns with your goals and stays on track.
Project Scope and Timeline: We’ll define the project’s scope, setting clear milestones and deadlines. This includes everything from initial concepts to final delivery, ensuring that you know what to expect and when.
Creative Strategy: We’ll present our creative strategy, outlining how we plan to bring your vision to life. This might include mood boards, style frames, and initial concepts that give you a glimpse of the direction we’re headed.
Example: For our collaboration with Smirnoff, this planning phase was crucial. With tight deadlines and a complex vision, having a clear roadmap allowed us to navigate challenges efficiently and deliver a project that resonated with their audience.
3. Production: Bringing Your Vision to Life
This is where the magic happens. The production phase is where your vision starts to take shape, transforming from ideas and concepts into tangible, compelling visuals. But we don’t just create—we collaborate closely with you every step of the way.
Collaborative Workflows: Whether we’re working on a 2D animation, 3D motion graphics, or a full-scale ad campaign, we’ll keep you involved throughout the production process. Regular updates, previews, and feedback loops ensure that the project evolves in line with your expectations.
Transparent Communication: You’ll never be left in the dark. We believe in transparency and open communication, so you’ll always know where the project stands and have the opportunity to provide input.
Example: During the Meta project, our team worked across multiple time zones, but we navigated these challenges by maximizing our efficiency during overlapping hours and maintaining consistent communication. The result was a final product that was not only visually stunning but also met Meta’s strategic goals.
4. Review and Refinement: Perfecting the Details
Once the initial production is complete, we move into the review and refinement phase. This is where we fine-tune the details, ensuring that the final product not only meets but exceeds your expectations.
Client Feedback: We’ll present the initial version of the project for your review. This is your opportunity to provide feedback and request any changes or adjustments.
Revisions and Polishing: Based on your feedback, we’ll make the necessary revisions, polishing every detail to perfection. Our goal is to deliver a final product that you’re not just satisfied with, but proud of.
Example: For Smirnoff, this phase was critical in ensuring that the final animation was flawless. By actively incorporating their feedback, we were able to refine the visuals and narrative to perfectly match their brand’s voice and aesthetic.
5. Delivery and Beyond: Launching the Final Product
The final step in our onboarding journey is the delivery of your project. But our partnership doesn’t end here. We’re committed to ensuring that the launch is successful and that the final product achieves your goals.
Final Delivery: We’ll deliver the final files in the formats you need, optimized for their intended platforms, whether it’s for a digital ad campaign, social media, or broadcast.
Post-Launch Support: After delivery, we’re here to support you. Whether it’s making final tweaks, providing additional assets, or analyzing the campaign’s performance, we’re with you every step of the way.
Example: After launching the Meta project, we continued to support their internal team, providing additional insights and making sure the content was leveraged effectively across their platforms.
The Beginning of a Lasting Partnership
At Blacksmith, we don’t just see ourselves as a service provider; we’re your creative partner. The onboarding process is the first chapter in what we hope will be a long and successful partnership. We’re excited to start this journey with you, to bring your vision to life, and to create work that makes an impact.
Let’s get started. Your story is about to unfold.
Last updated