Design Project Onboarding Checklist

Before any creative work begins, a structured start makes all the difference. This Design Project Onboarding Checklist from JAB Design helps clients and teams align on goals, timelines, and expectations from day one. It outlines everything needed to kick off a successful design collaboration — from brand assets and visual guidelines to messaging priorities and creative preferences.

By following this checklist, JAB Design ensures every project begins with clarity, efficiency, and a shared vision for purposeful design outcomes.

“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. The design is how it works” ~ Steve Jobs

 

At JAB Design, every project starts with purpose — and ends with impact.

 

Start Every Project Right with Clear Direction

“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” ~ Francis of Assisi

 

1. Client & Project Overview, Job Brief

• Client’s full name & company name
• Contact details (email, phone, preferred communication method)
• Business industry & target audience
• What problem are we solving?
• Project scope (branding, design, packaging, etc.)
• Project goals, objectives & expected outcomes

 

2. Brand & Design Requirements

• Core reason the brand exists (brand purpose / value proposition)
• Key brand messaging & tone of voice
• Existing brand guidelines (logo, taglines, fonts, colours, imagery)
• Design preferences (look & feel, key visuals, styles, themes, inspirations, mood boards)
• Disclaimers, trademarks, image rights and attributions
• Competitor analysis (brands admired or want to differentiate from)
• Design applications / usage (social media, print ads, packaging, environmental graphics, etc.)

 

3. Deliverables & Technical Details

• List of required assets (logos, stock images, icons, templates, etc.)
• Print vs. digital specifications (resolution, dimensions, file formats)
• Colour preferences (CMYK, RGB, Pantone)
• Final or Finished Artwork (F/A) — flattened, pathed, or layered
• Web/app-specific requirements (if applicable)
• Functionalities and interactive features
• Initial storyboards, wireframes, templates, or mock-ups

 

4. Content & Copywriting

• Who provides text content? (e.g. client’s communications team)
• Do you require copywriting services?
• Tone & style of copy (formal, casual, technical, friendly)
• Content approval & proofreading responsibility
• Settings to adhere to (hyphenation, justification, grammar, etc.)
• Version control & file naming conventions
• Image management: Always keep your high-resolution image files in separate folders instead of embedding them directly into Microsoft Word. By default, Word compresses embedded images to 220 dpi.

 

5. Timeline & Milestones, Waypoints, Checkpoints

• Project start date & key deadlines
• Major milestones (concept, first draft, revisions, final delivery)
• Establish clear waypoints and checkpoints to track progress and keep the project on course
• Roles & responsibilities (client, designer, project manager, etc.)
• Turnaround and buffer time for reviews, revisions, and feedback
• Number of revision rounds, email threads and consolidated comment protocol
• Prepress, Pre-flight check, colour proofing, print supervision, press check, delivery etc.
• File and project handover, debrief, and maintenance plan (if any)

 

6. Budget & Payment Terms

• Total project cost & payment structure (commissioning, milestones, final)
• Payment method & invoicing details
• Finance matters – authorisation for bank transfers, GIRO setup, etc.
• Additional costs (stock images, hosting, third-party tools, printing, etc.)
• Change request protocol (scope adjustments and billing)

 

7. Approval & Feedback Process

• Key decision-makers & approvers; approval hierarchy
• Preferred feedback method (email, comments, online meetings)
• Number of revision rounds included in the package
• Feedback format (consolidated responses only to avoid conflicting directions)

 

8. Legal & Agreement

• Signed contract / agreement (terms of service, scope, revisions, ownership rights)
• NDA or confidentiality agreement (if required)
• Intellectual property rights (final ownership and usage rights upon full settlement)

 

9. Additional Considerations

• Sustainability preferences (eco-friendly materials, green printing)
• Accessibility or inclusivity requirements
• Brand storytelling or narrative elements to highlight
• Things to avoid — off-brand makers, taboos, constraints
• Challenges, pain points, or past experiences
• Contingency plans (risks and mitigation steps)
• Need for post-launch support or retainer services

 

10. System Considerations

• Primary operating system used by your team (Mac / Windows / Mixed)
• Network & security restrictions (firewalls blocking external file transfers or collaboration tools eg. WeTransfer / Dropbox, etc.)
• Approved file-sharing platforms (eg. WeTransfer / Dropbox / Google Drive / Microsoft SharePoint or OneDrive / Others)
• Any blocked or restricted file types (e.g. ZIP, PSD, AI, etc.)
• Email sending limits (attachment size, domain whitelist, daily cap)
• File archiving and backup protocol

 

Every great partnership begins with clarity

Engaging JAB Design means more than starting a project — it’s the beginning of a creative alliance built on trust, strategy, and shared purpose. From discovery to delivery, we guide you through a transparent, structured process that keeps creativity focused and your goals in sight, with the help of our JAB’s Project Onboarding Checklist! At JAB Design, every project starts with purpose — and ends with impact.

If you’re ready for a partnership that delivers design with direction, start the conversation or drop a note at info@jab.sg

 

More about what we do

We have on hand creative professionals to help you navigate fully in:

• Identity & Branding (Brand Strategy, Identity Systems & Logo Design)
• Graphic, Interactive & Environmental Design
• Copywriting, Editorial & Publishing
• Campaign Development & Management