Schedule
September
October
November
December
Graphical

The Client Project

• assigned: September 24
• proposal due: November 11
• copies of the proposal and BETA versions due for everyone in class: December 2
• In-class Workshop: December 9
• Final version due: December 16 at 6 p.m.

For the last assignment, you will create a document projecct for a real-life client on campus or in the local area. The client can be an organization, a faculty member, a business, etc. In consultation with the client, you will first create a "BETA" version (working draft) of the document, which we will workshop in class. Then you will take the feedback you receive in the workshop to complete the finished project, which should be delivered to the client by the date of our final exam. You will also hand in (or send me the URL of a Web project) of the finished project as well.

The Client Project will include the following elements:

1. an informal project proposal addressed to, prepared for, and presented to the client early in the process. Bring two copies of a proposal draft to class on November 11.

2. a BETA version of the project shared with the class for workshopping along with copies of the proposal to provide context. We will workshop the BETA version on December 9.

3. a final version delivered to the client and submitted to me by the final exam date. As usual, this version will include a self commentary that reflects not only on the final product itself, but also on the process of working with the client. Due December 16.

The Client Project Proposal

Write an informal proposal in which you detail your understanding of the client's needs. This proposal will be given to and discussed with the client early in the process. You should be specific about what you propose to do for your client and when you will accomplish these tasks. List any kinds of support or resources that you'll need from the client (that is, verbal and visual content, use of a digital camera, etc.).

This proposal is essentially an agreement or contract between you and the client which will define expectations. It should not, however, be written in the legalistic or defensive language of a contract; your proposal should instead strike a balance of conversational sincerity and business-like seriousness.

Format of the Proposal

Your project proposal should be written to your client, not the class or teacher. Formal proposals typically comprise six elements: introduction, background, proposal, staffing, budget, and an authorization request. Since I'm assuming that you will have talked to the client already, and gotten at least a tentative, oral agreement to work with you, I'll ask you just to focus on only three: an introduction, the background, and the plan.

1. Introduction
This is the "executive summary" of the proposal. Catch the client's attention by giving a clear, succinct idea of your understanding of her needs and what your proposed project can do for them. Be creative, but also use everything you know about the client's tastes, values and goals to help ensure that what you propose fits in with the rest of the client's operation. Keep in mind that you're presenting yourself as well as your project, so tone is important.

2. Background
Before writing this proposal, you should talk to and study the client to analyze a problem or challenge the client faces and the ways your proposed project will address it. This section is your chance to show you understand the situation completely. Indeed, in his book Secrets of Successful Web Sites, the Web-design consultant David Siegel says a good designer needs to understand the client's business better than the client does himself-but of course you shouldn't tell your client this!

3. Plan
Here, you'll discuss specifically and practically how you'll go about solving the problem: your methods, materials, software used, the schedule you'll follow, etc. Specify when throughout the process you'll need any content from the client, or when you'll want to meet or be in contact with her, and when you'll be ready to show her the BETA version. Try to make the client a regular part of your process to avoid unhappy surprises or misunderstandings at the end. Remember that you'll also get feedback from the class in workshop on the last evening of class. You should plan on delivering the final project to the client on or before our final exam time on December 16.

Self Commentary