Every new project starts with a comprehensive briefing meeting which will define the strategy, back story, USP’s, audience, voice, price point and routes to market. This is then encapsulated in a written proposal that confirms everything including the timeline, fees and an outline budget for production.

Design
The initial design stage develops conceptual brand and packaging visuals based on the briefing meeting and the proposal. These are discussed in detail with the client and then refined, over one or more stages, into a single solution which becomes the Design Set (the detailed design proposal, usually a set of A3 visuals, but which can also include: hand made mock-ups, pre-production prototypes and an Acrobat® or PowerPoint® presentation). The Design Set confirms everything to the client in detail and can be used to raise investment, carry out market testing or pre-sell to retailers. The Design Set can also be used to produce very short run packaging for sampling, exhibitions and press launches. The illustrations on the right demonstrate just how resolved a design can become whilst still at the conceptual stage.
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Production Artwork
PBD have twenty years production experience and work with some outstanding production companies, from simple label printing to complex cardboard engineering, shrink wrapping, blister packs and biopolymer thermo-forming. Final artwork is always produced in consultation with the relevant production companies ensuring that the manufacturing outcome matches the design intent.

Resourcing
For clients who are new to the sector or those wishing to broaden their supplier base, PBD can advise on the selection of formulation, testing and manufacturing specialist for their products; connect them with a European wide network of glass and plastic component manufacturers and distributors, including those working with pre and post consumer waste and biopolymers and provide advice on copyright, brand registration, barcoding, soil association and fair trade registration. PBD have collaborated with environmental management consultants to help particular clients reduce the environmental impact of their manufacturing and distribution processes.

Web Site
The ability to source brand, packaging and web site design in one place has enormous advantages in terms of consistency, timing and cost. PBD create the design and site architecture in-house to ensure continuity across all the other design elements. However, the programming component is an increasingly complex science and in order to get the best functionality for clients, this stage is passed to an independent programming specialist who works collaboratively to build and test the site.

Meeting
The majority of new clients find PBD through industry recommendation, often long before a product or range has been formulated and sometimes when the project is still only an idea. I am always very happy to discuss an idea or a proposal with a prospective client, usually starting with a telephone conversation and then meeting face to face. Exploratory meetings are free of charge. However, if the meeting is more than 50 miles from my office, there is a charge for travel.