Our Processes
While the studio is capable of producing, and consulting on a wide array of projects we find ourselves often engaging with clients across three main categories: Brand Strategy + Identity, Web Design, and Experience Design. We will take a deeper look at what collaborating with the MF9 studio on a product-based gifting project and experience looks like.
While the studio is capable of producing, and consulting on a wide array of projects we find ourselves often engaging with clients across three main categories: Brand Strategy + Identity, Web Design, and Experience Design. We will take a deeper look at what collaborating with the MF9 studio on a product-based gifting project and experience looks like.
The timeline for the design and development process from initial meeting to product delivery ranges from 20–24 weeks. This range varies depending on a variety of factors, including depth of scope, touchpoints needed, production & asset development, etc. Once the client needs are properly identified, the team at MF9 will develop a timeline that will outline a reasonable delivery window. The Brand Strategy and Identity process is made up of four interdependent phases. This means that the actions taken in each of the phases will directly impact the next stage of the process.
While a lot of design studios tend to focus their process into speculative touchpoints that "look good on paper" we strive to anchor our scope to real use-cases and touchpoints. When the project is finished your identity will already be working for you, and your audience.
The breadth and scope is mean't to be uniquely applicapable to YOU. This is just an overview, andyou may find your final scope of deliverables is longer, shorter, or altogether different.
Typical Project Scope Includes the Following:
Product & Capsule Naming
- Soft-strategy meetings around target audience.
- Audit, and discussion of what you are looking for out of a name.
- Defining, narrowing, and vetting of potential, and/or chosen names.
Product and Gifting Strategy
- Development and application of gifting systems that reinforce and develop brand DNA through the mission, pillars, and values.
- Workshopping and development of unboxing experience.
- Outside and parallel soft-market research and content research.
Identity + Typographic Systems
- Research, evaluation, concepting and design of phyisical products and gifts based on client provided scope.
- Development and implementation of brand and material language across touchpoints reinforcing brand voice and strategy.
- Defined color-palette including main, secondary, and tertiary colors.
- Secondary imagery/treatment design and application as needed.
- Data visualization design and organization as needed.
Our design process is broken down into a series of consecutive phases that build over the development of the project.
Click below to expand and dive deeper into each phase.
Phase 1: Product Strategy, 2 weeks.
Phase 1: Product Strategy, 2 weeks.
Objective: Identify the core essense of the project. Who is the audience, what is it *really* and what is unique about your company.
The product strategy phase begins with a meeting between MF9 and you—the client. We begin working together through dialogue to home in on a constructed mission for the project that is authentic and unique while solving the problem. After a newly established perspective is agreed upon, we take all research and dialogue into the next phase of our process—Ideation and Discovery.
Client action items:
1. Attend kickoff meeting
2. Sign proposal within 2 business days of delivery
- Client must pay any associated design fees and/or deposits otherwise the next meetings will be cancelled, and rescheduled for the next week.
3. Attend & Participate in Product Strategy Meetings
- At the end of each meeting there may be “homework” on each side.
- Client Must provide or come prepared to discuss previous talking points.
Phase 2: Discovery & Ideation, 4 weeks.
Phase 2: Discovery & Ideation, 4 weeks.
Objective: The goal of this phase is to take the knowledge gained, outlined, and structured within the Product Strategy phase, and begin to form 2 design directions or hypotheses in which the product and/or gifting suite can embody.
The Design and Ideation phase continues with meetings between MF9 and you—the client. We begin reflecting back and showcasing design concepts based on the dialogue and conclusions of the previous phase. This ultimately results in two different design directions or “hypotheses” illustrated through a distilled form of the full scope. At the end of this phase we have arrived at a singular choice or blending of the two directions. This includes micro/capsule identities as well as product design/selection.
Client action items:
1. Attend kickoff meeting
2. Sign proposal within 2 business days of delivery
- Client must pay any associated design fees and/or deposits otherwise the next meetings will be cancelled, and rescheduled for the next week.
3. Attend & Participate in Brand Strategy Meetings
- At the end of each meeting there may be “homework” on each side.
- Client Must provide or come prepared to discuss previous talking points.
Weeks 1 to 2
- MF9 considers feedback in application.
- MF9 forms two concrete directions to further develop.
- Design Check-In I: MF9 presents initial design solutions, and research.
- MF9 considers feedback in application.
- MF9 forms two concrete directions to further develop.
- Design Check-In I: MF9 presents initial design solutions, and research.
MF9 forms two concrete directions to further develop.
Design Check-In I: MF9 presents initial design solutions, and research.
Weeks 3 to 4
- MF9 considers feedback for application.
- Design Check-In II: MF9 presents back two concrete directions. To proceed a direction is chosen, or more commonly than not, aspects of both are melded together
- MF9 considers feedback in application.
- Design Check-In III: MF9 presents back a final round of revisions if necessary. At this point to proceed a direction is chosen, or more commonly than not, aspects of both are melded together. If an solution isn’t arrived at the timeline is ammended, and an extension of the design fee may occur, or the project is concluded.
Design Check-In II: MF9 presents back two concrete directions. To proceed a direction is chosen, or more commonly than not, aspects of both are melded together
MF9 considers feedback in application.
Design Check-In III: MF9 presents back a final round of revisions if necessary. At this point to proceed a direction is chosen, or more commonly than not, aspects of both are melded together. If an solution isn’t arrived at the timeline is ammended, and an extension of the design fee may occur, or the project is concluded.
Client action items:
1. Attend kickoff meeting
2. Pay Phase Deposit or necessary fees.
- Client must pay phase deposits or necessary fees within 2 business days of receiving.
3. Attend design Check-In I
- Client must provide feedback on initial round of design within 2 business days of Check-In I
4. Attend design Check-In II
- — Client must provide feedback/choose a direction on second round of design within 2 business days of Check-In II. If needed a secondary meeting can be called to discuss, and collaboratively finalize the direction of the project. This could impact timeline depending on discussion, and work needed.
5. Attend design Check-In III (If needed)
- — Client must provide feedback/choose a direction on second round of design within 2 business days of Check-In III. This could further impact timeline depending on discussion, and work needed.
Phase 3: Design + Preparation, Ongoing.
Phase 3: Design + Preparation, Ongoing.
Objective: The goal of this phase is to take the knowledge gained, outlined, and structured within the Brand Strategy phase, and begin to form 2 design directions or hypotheses in which the brand's world can communicate.
The brand strategy phase begins with a meeting between MF9 and you—the client. We begin working together through dialogue to home in on a constructed mission supported by a set of pillars and values that are authentic and unique to you. We call this the brand soul. After a newly established soul is agreed upon, we take all research and dialogue into the next phase of our process—Ideation and Discovery.
Client action items:
1. Attend kickoff meeting
2. Sign proposal within 2 business days of delivery
- Client must pay any associated design fees and/or deposits otherwise the next meetings will be cancelled, and rescheduled for the next week.
3. Attend & Participate in Brand Strategy Meetings
- At the end of each meeting there may be “homework” on each side.
- Client Must provide or come prepared to discuss previous talking points.
Week 1
- Kickoff meeting between client and MF9
- Re-affirm the full project timeline based on project requirements, and strategy outcomes
- MF9 considers feedback in application.
- Design Check-In II: MF9 presents back two concrete directions. To proceed a direction is chosen, or more commonly than not, aspects of both are melded together.
- MF9 considers feedback in application
- Design Check-In II: MF9 presents back two concrete directions. To proceed a direction is chosen, or more commonly than not, aspects of both are melded together.
- Kickoff meeting between client and MF9
- Re-affirm the full project timeline based on project requirements, and strategy outcomes
- MF9 considers feedback in application.
- Design Check-In II: MF9 presents back two concrete directions. To proceed a direction is chosen, or more commonly than not, aspects of both are melded together.
- MF9 considers feedback in application
- Design Check-In II: MF9 presents back two concrete directions. To proceed a direction is chosen, or more commonly than not, aspects of both are melded together.
MF9 considers feedback in application.
Design Check-In II: MF9 presents back two concrete directions. To proceed a direction is chosen, or more commonly than not, aspects of both are melded together.
MF9 considers feedback in application
Design Check-In II: MF9 presents back two concrete directions. To proceed a direction is chosen, or more commonly than not, aspects of both are melded together.
Weeks 2 to 4
- MF9 forms two concrete directions to further develop.
- Design Check-In I: MF9 presents initial design solutions, and research.
- MF9 considers feedback in application.
- Design Check-In II: MF9 presents back two concrete directions. To proceed a direction is chosen, or more commonly than not, aspects of both are melded together
- MF9 considers feedback in application
- Design Check-In II: MF9 presents back two concrete directions. To proceed a direction is chosen, or more commonly than not, aspects of both are melded together.
MF9 considers feedback in application.
Design Check-In II: MF9 presents back two concrete directions. To proceed a direction is chosen, or more commonly than not, aspects of both are melded together
MF9 considers feedback in application
Design Check-In II: MF9 presents back two concrete directions. To proceed a direction is chosen, or more commonly than not, aspects of both are melded together.
Objective: A fully built-out, and explored application of the project across all initially agreed upon touchpoints. This is where high-level concept work, and reality meet. All aspects of physical product, and packaging are executed, designed, and ready to be handed off to production for final techpacking and coordination with fabricators if needed.
Part 1
- MF9 executes, and finalizes major touch points of the core scope.
- Create a design and development timeline based on project requirements, and reaffirm with client.
-
Client to provide final approval as needed and necessary as we shift from production into manufacturing .
- MF9 executes, and finalizes major touch points of the core scope.
- Create a design and development timeline based on project requirements, and reaffirm with client.
-
Client to provide final approval as needed and necessary as we shift from production into manufacturing .
Client to provide final approval as needed and necessary as we shift from production into manufacturing .
Part 2
- Depending on the specific products designed we enter the production phase, and begin the standard process of manufacturing including sampling.
Client action items:
1. Pay Phase Deposit and/or necessary production, sampling, and fabrication fees and costs.
- Client must pay phase deposits or necessary fees within 2 business days of receiving.
3. Attend/Provide Final Approvals as needed
- Client must provide final approvals on production-ready files as needed to ensure timely delivery
4. Attends final design check-in II
- — Client must provide feedback/choose a direction on second round of design within 2 business days of Check-In II. If needed a secondary meeting can be called to discuss, and collaboratively finalize the direction of the project. This could impact timeline depending on discussion, and work needed.
Project Estimates
Investor Gifting Strategy + Phase 1–4: $5,000
2,500 USD deposit upon project acceptance for inital research. Phases billed accordingly.New Owner Gifting Strategy + Phase 1–4: $5,000
2,500 USD deposit upon project acceptance for inital research. Phases billed accordingly.Want to learn more?
Contact us and find out.
David Wise
Creative Director
david@mf9.world
Cal Norton
Account Manager
cal@mf9.world
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