Learn More About Our Process

The spheres within University Marketing and Communications at Michigan Technological University—Digital Services; Editorial; Brand and Social Media; and Design and Studio Services—follow the same general process:

Project Request

Each project begins with a project request form. It helps us learn more about your needs, and helps us track our workflow, too. 

Strategy

After we review your request, you’ll be a part of a strategy meeting. Together with you, we’ll identify business strategy, including:

  • Who is your audience?
  • What are your goals and budget?
  • What's worked and what hasn't?
  • Quantity, dimensions, reach, and more

Research

Once the strategy is defined, the project team conducts research. The team can consist of a project manager, a writer, a designer, and a developer—they will:

  • Assess current materials
  • Review aspirational/competitive materials or concepts
  • Conduct interviews or testing

Creative

Here, your project team determines what your marketing piece will look, sound, and feel like.

  • You may begin hearing from your project team via Basecamp,  our online project management tool.
  • A second meeting may be held.
  • The team may pitch a concept to you and your staff.

Development

This is the doing stage! You may get emails, phone calls, or Basecamp messages from the team as they:

  • Write copy or script
  • Create a sitemap and website wireframes
  • Design layouts

Depending on the scope of the project, status meetings may be necessary.

Print/Launch

After you return the signed project approval form, your team readies to launch. This can include:

  • Proofreading
  • Beta testing
  • Pre-press and more

Evaluation

Your project is live or mailed, or distributed—now we want to know how it performed! A "post-mortem" meeting may be held to learn:

  • What are the metrics?
  • What can we do better or differently?
  • Will we need to repeat this project in the future?