My Handy Briefing Tips

Here are my tips to guide you through my process and help you understand how my briefing process works.

Firstly, which service do you need?

example of DesignerMim's surface pattern design

Surface Pattern Design

My definition is that Surface Pattern Design is the art of creating repeating patterns destined for a variety of surfaces. For instance home textiles, wallpaper, clothing, stationery, floor coverings. Surface Pattern Design can be used for anything with a surface that you would like to decorate and make a little more visually appealing. A little mind-blowing, right? I love the idea that a pattern I design can be used for a child’s bedding, a wallpaper, a lampshade, and even their favourite crockery! 

If you would like to learn more about Surface Pattern Design, you are welcome to mail me with any questions and I will try my best to answer you. 

example of DesignerMim's bold & colourful illustration style

Illustration

I create illustrations based on a combinations of photos, what you tell me, and my imagination. I love trying to capture the essence of my subject matter, I need you to tell me why you want it illustrated and what it means to you.

If you have any favourite colours please let me know. My illustrations are sometimes fairly close to the original colours but I do enjoy playing around with colours and compositions to create original hand-drawn pieces. You just need to tell me if there is anything in articular you would like included. 

If the illustration lends itself to having a pattern (in the background, inside an object etc) let me know what aesthetic you lean toward and I will work out how to incorporate it!

example of custom label DesignerMim created for a client

Graphic Design

I can help you design packaging, labelling and creating a logo. I love getting stuck into the technicalities of graphic design — from choosing the fonts, to palette, to materials used.

When I started out as a designer, my speciality was graphics. That was many moons ago and I’ve come a long was since then! 

With so many years of experience creating graphic design solutions, I am confident I will be able to assist you. If you’d like to hear more about what I’ve done previously, send me a mail detailing what you’re looking for. 

Check out my updates page to see what I have been up to recently.

And please have a look at my social feeds to keep in contact:

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leaves detail illustration, in various shades of blue on a golden yellow background
excerpt of a children's poem about sunshine, with illustrated suns with faces on a golden yellow background
stylised colourful daisy print on coral base by DesignerMim
'keep it simple' reminder, with sweet ladybirds and daisies on a bright green background
bespoke graphic design by DesignerMim - snapshot of a gin label, pale green label with all white text
cute white eye and berries on a green baskgound

Secondly, how do I work?

My Process

The majority of my work is designed in a programme called Affinity Designer, however I am fully proficient in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign as well. 

I like to fully understand what I need to create before I put pen to paper, so it’s best to have all relevant info from you, the client, upfront. Of course, it’s a creative process so there will be a little back and forth as we get to know each other and how we operate.

Once I have al the info I need, I create a few rough sketches for concept purposes to ensure we are aligned. Once agreed, I then start drawing the final design. This can take anything from a matter hours to a few weeks — it all depends on the complexity and scope of the project, how much detail is required, and how many additional reverts are requested. 

Time is precious for everyone, so we need to work together and respect each other’s timelines. I am a stickler for deadlines and love a happy customer!

placement print hand lettering 'rain day' with rain pattern on dark blue
oceanic colour circle pattern, blues, greens, and teals by DesignerMim
Image for DesignerMim Portfolio: sweet bunny faces and hearts pattern, navy with soft pink, blue and white
leaves detail illustration, in various shades of blue on a golden yellow background
stylised colourful daisy print on coral base by DesignerMim
Image for DesignerMim Portfolio: quirky funny & colourful illustration montage collage illustration of a cat with sunglasses playing a banjo, with lego cat silhouettes
Image for DesignerMim Portfolio: simple toned-down rainbow pattern
Image for DesignerMim Portfolio: very cute animal ghosts with witches hats and spiders

Thirdly, my handy briefing tips

Be Clear About What You Want

If you already know exactly what you want and you just need me to realise your dreams, please let me know. You need to please tell me exactly what you’re imagining (I’m not a mind reader!). 

Please clearly state if you want me to incorporate certain elements or motifs in the design. Please send me photos of whatever it is you want included. 

You know the tricky thing about telling someone what you see in the clouds? Well, trying to describe to me what you want without visual references is kinda similar. 

Be clear about what you want and give me pics so I can get to know you, your style, and what you envisage.

What to Include in Your Brief

If possible, please let me know about: 

  • Colours 
  • Motifs and style
  • Aesthetic and Mood — fun and energetic, neutral and earthy, colourful and bold, modern and minimalist, etc
  • Layout — do you want lots of clean, open space, or do you want the design busier and more energetic? You can screenshot existing designs if you are unsure
  • What is the end-use?
  • Scale — the size of the final design
  • Text — if you want any text, what is the wording and you need to give me font direction
  • Deadline — the sooner you brief me, the more likely it is that I will be able to deliver with deadline. If perfection is priority, that is
  • Who is your printer/manufacturer — they will have their own specs that the design needs to adhere to. Having this info as early as possible in the creative process helps save time and ensures what we see on screen is as close as possible to what we will see on your product(s). 
  • Budget — we can discuss set deliverables and set up payment options that we are all happy to agree to. 

give me as much relevant info as possible in the briefing session - this will help me understand what you want quickly - resulting in a quicker turnaround time. Making it a win-win!

Saying all that, if you know kinda what you want I will be able to create an original illustration/pattern for you using the reference pics and my imagination!

Don't stress If you don't have all your ducks in a row and need some guidance, I know what I'm doing!

And that's it! Now you're ready to brief me!

placement print hand lettering 'rain day' with rain pattern on dark blue
oceanic colour circle pattern, blues, greens, and teals by DesignerMim
Image for DesignerMim Portfolio: sweet bunny faces and hearts pattern, navy with soft pink, blue and white
leaves detail illustration, in various shades of blue on a golden yellow background
excerpt of a children's poem about sunshine, with illustrated suns with faces on a golden yellow background
stylised colourful daisy print on coral base by DesignerMim
'keep it simple' reminder, with sweet ladybirds and daisies on a bright green background
bespoke graphic design by DesignerMim - snapshot of a gin label, pale green label with all white text
cute white eye and berries on a green baskgound
Image for DesignerMim Portfolio: quirky funny & colourful illustration montage collage illustration of a cat with sunglasses playing a banjo, with lego cat silhouettes
Image for DesignerMim Portfolio: simple toned-down rainbow pattern
Image for DesignerMim Portfolio: very cute animal ghosts with witches hats and spiders
Contact DesignerMim

For all enquiries please email me: miriam@designermim.com

Contact DesignerMim
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Let's keep in touch!