Here is a robust workflow to help you get the most out of your creative team design process. From concept to final delivery, there are important checkpoints you need to meet to insure the best ideas win, everyone stays in sync and the projects get delivered on time and to specification.
This workflow was created using a mixture of knowledge from my own experiences combined with hearing how Stephen Brewster leads his creative team at Cross Point Church.
If you have any questions about this workflow please leave a comment below.
Phase 1. Sermon Series Direction
- Series theme and working title
- Scripture references
- Series vision
- Required visuals
Who: Pastoral Team and Core Leadership
Objective: Create a theme that will guide the creative direction for the sermon series
Phase 2. Idea List Brainstorm
- Large group brainstorming ideas
- No idea is a bad idea
- Stay focused
- Explore various ideas
- Fun and playful
- Don’t commit to anything
Who: People who can communicate ideas, be positive and work with others. Creative Director and Core Creative Team
Objective: Create a large list of good, bad and ugly ideas that work with the Sermon Series Direction
Phase 3. Edit Idea List
- Small group of people
- Critique list of ideas
- Edit list and find the best ideas
- Not fun or creative (gruelling process)
- Debate the ideas
Who: Creative Director and Core Creative Team (2-4 people)
Objective: Highlight the best ideas from the Idea List that meet the Sermon Series Direction
Phase 4. Create Two Briefs
- Small group of people
- Review the edited list
- Build connections between ideas
- Create briefs that work
Who: Creative Director and Core Creative Team (2-4 people)
Objective: Create two unique design briefs that meet the Sermon Series Direction
Phase 5. Official Brief Selection
- Choose the best brief that meets the vision of the church
- Edits and refinements are welcome
Who: Pastoral Team and Creative Director
Objective: Create the Official Brief that will give clear direction to the Creative Director and Creative Teams
Phase 6. Official Visual Style Guide
- Create style-boards that visually present the Official Brief
- Define the look
Who: Creative Director and/or Lead Designer
Objective: Create a look that will guide all the Creative Teams. Choose the colour pallet, primary/secondary typefaces and design style
Phase 7. Creative Team Proposals
- Creative teams (visuals, stage, video, print, etc.) review the Official Brief and Official Style Guide
- Ask Creative Director questions
- Create proposals, mockups and/or storyboards for design projects
- Present ideas proposals to the Creative Director for editing and approval
Who: Creative Teams and Creative Director
Objective: Sign-off on design projects to get completed and set milestone dates
Phase 8. Design Project Check-ins
- Design Teams post progress so everyone involved sees how things are coming together
- Official Visual Style Guide accountability is maintained by the Creative Director
- Synergy can occur
- No surprises
Who: Creative Teams, Creative Director and Pastoral Team
Objective: Everyone involved in the Sermon Series stays in the loop, visually in sync and on schedule
Phase 9. Deliver
- Design projects are delivered on time and to spec
Who: Creative Teams
Objective: Deliver a cohesive design package that helps the sermon series theme be memorable, enhanced and visible at every point of the church experience
