A design consultation can feel intimidating when you’ve never been through the process before. You’ve made the decision to invest in professional design help, but what actually happens when you sit down with us for that crucial first conversation? Let’s give you an authentic look behind the scenes at what meeting Eighty3 Design is really like.
First things first: there’s absolutely no pressure. When you walk into our Black Country studio or hop on a video call with us, you’re not walking into a sales pitch. Our design consultation is genuinely about getting to know you and your business, and we want you to get to know us too.
Usually, your design consultation will be led by Dan or Emily if there’s a branding or design focus, and Rebecca if it’s more about web development or complex technical solutions. But this isn’t a hard and fast rule – you might get any combination of our team depending on your specific needs and who’s available.
Whoever leads your session will start things off with a proper cup of tea and a friendly chat about your business. We want to hear your story: how you got started, what keeps you passionate about what you do, and where you’re hoping to go next. This isn’t small talk for the sake of it; understanding your business personality helps us create design work that truly reflects who you are.
Don’t worry if multiple team members join the conversation – we keep things relaxed and conversational, never overwhelming.
We’ll ask about your current design challenges. Is your brand not reflecting your business properly? Are your marketing materials looking dated? Is your website not generating the enquiries you need? Do you cringe a bit when handing out your business cards? These honest conversations help us understand where you’re starting from and what needs improving.
We’re interested in your goals too. Are you launching something new? Trying to reach different customers? Looking to refresh your entire brand identity? Need eye-catching marketing materials for a campaign? Every goal you share helps us think about how we can genuinely help you achieve it.
The conversation naturally flows into who you’re trying to reach. We want to understand your customers: what problems they’re trying to solve, how they prefer to get information, what might put them off. This isn’t just curiosity; it directly shapes how we approach your design project, whether that’s a new website, refreshed branding, or marketing materials.
One thing our clients consistently mention in their Google reviews is that we speak like normal people. When Rebecca talks about technical requirements, she explains things in terms you’ll actually understand. When Dan discusses design concepts, he shows you what he means rather than talking in abstract design-speak.
If you need a website with e-commerce functionality, a complete rebrand, eye-catching leaflets, or integration with your existing systems, we’ll explain what’s possible and what makes sense for your specific situation. We might suggest things you hadn’t thought of, but we’ll always explain why and how it would benefit you.
This is where things get interesting. We’ll show you examples of work we’ve done for other clients, not so you can pick a style off the shelf, but so we can understand what resonates with you. We talk about colours, typography, and imagery in practical terms: what feels right for your brand, what your customers would respond to, what reflects your personality.
If you already have branding, we explore how to evolve it across different materials. If branding and logo design is part of your project, we’ll guide this conversation, ensuring everything works together seamlessly.
Whether we’re discussing a new website, refreshing your brand identity, or creating marketing materials, we map out how your audience will interact with your design: what they’re looking for, how they prefer to consume information, what actions you want them to take. This strategic thinking is what separates professional design from quick template solutions.
We believe in complete transparency about investment. We’ll give you realistic timelines based on your project’s complexity and our current workload. We won’t promise the impossible just to win your business.
When we discuss costs, we break everything down so you understand exactly what you’re paying for and why each element matters. Our pricing reflects the value we deliver and the expertise we bring, not just hours on a timesheet.
We’ll discuss payment schedules and project milestones, so you know exactly when payments are due and what you’ll receive at each stage. No hidden surprises, no mysterious additional costs.
Within 48 hours of your design consultation, you’ll receive a comprehensive proposal that reflects everything we discussed. This isn’t a generic template; it’s tailored specifically to your needs and goals.
The proposal includes detailed project phases, deliverables, timelines, and investment requirements. We’ll also include examples of similar projects we’ve completed and references from recent clients who’d be happy to chat about their experience working with us.
Great clients ask great questions, and we encourage this. Common questions include: How do you handle changes during the project? What if my needs evolve? How do you ensure my design work will stand out? What support do you provide after completion?
These questions show you’re thinking strategically about your investment, and we’re always happy to address every concern.
What makes our design consultation different is our integrity. We’re not order-takers or hard sellers; we’re problem solvers. Our Black Country roots mean we value straight talking and honest advice, even if it means recommending a smaller project or a different approach than you initially considered.
We might suggest phasing your project to spread the investment, or recommend focusing on user experience before visual changes. This honest counsel is about building long-term relationships, not just winning projects.
By the end of your design consultation, you’ll have a clear picture of what working with Eighty3 involves. Whether you’re ready to move forward or need time to think, you’ll leave with valuable insights about your design needs.
Our door remains open for follow-up questions. Some clients book additional sessions to refine their brief, others are ready to start the same week. There’s no pressure either way.
We’ve built our reputation on being approachable, authentic, and genuinely helpful. Our blog is full of free advice on various design topics because we believe in sharing knowledge, not hoarding it.
The first meeting is just the beginning of what we hope will be a successful partnership. Your success becomes our success, and that philosophy shapes everything we do.
Ready to see what meeting us is really like? There’s no obligation, just a friendly conversation about how we might be able to help. Get in touch and let’s have a chat.
