The Graphic Design Process in 6 Steps

1. Build Out the Creative Brief

Before you get going with digital drawing tools, the first step in your graphic design process should be
establishing the creative brief. Also called a design brief, this document will capture all of your client’s wants
and needs and other key project specifications.

2. Research the Design Ecosystem

Research is an important part what a graphic designer were You’ll use your findings to inspire original ideas,
solidify the overall design approach with other stakeholders and back up the design decisions you make later on.

3. Develop and Refine the Graphic Design Concept

Armed with your design brief and a wealth of information from the research process, it’s time to start building
out the framework for what the asset will ultimately look like.

Depending on what you’re working on, the concept development and refinement stage may involve sketching
out thumbnails, mockups or graphic elements. Larger and more significant projects, like an abstract or text logo
development and web design, may require more fine-tuning and several iterations before moving into
production.

4. Create the Design

Once all stakeholders are in agreement and you have all that you need to proceed with the design, it’s time to
execute the project.

5. Collect and Implement Feedback

The feedback stage involves a series of smaller steps that ensure quality control and perfect alignment with your
stakeholders’ vision.

6. Finalize and Deliver the Design Assets

Now that you’ve gotten final approval from all stakeholders, you’re ready to deliver the assets in the appropriate
formats. Package them up so they’re ready for production and can be easily implemented into whatever digital
or print format your recipients need.