Running a design studio is rewarding, but it definitely doesn’t come without growing pains and challenges. If I had to pick one thing that helped me scale Current to multiple 6-figures and become a reputable design studio in the industry – it’d be this process.

It’s the exact one that has allowed me to work part-time hours, take a paid maternity leave and keep a steady client roster. If you want to elevate your process without reinventing the wheel, keep reading because I’m highlighting two of the biggest takeaways to finally shift my business into what I had dreamt of all along!

Spoiler alert – I’m offering you the templates I’ve spent years refining!

01 // Create templates within your design process

While customization is essential in the design industry, it doesn’t mean you have to remodel your process for every project. Creating templates for different phases of the design process (brand strategy, brand design, photo styling, creative direction, etc.) can significantly streamline your workflow.

Once you have templates in place, you have an outline for each project and the process remains consistent with each client. This workflow creates efficiency and less margin for missed information, which allows you (and your team) to focus on delivering quality work that meets or exceeds your client expectations.   

02 // Implementing a dedicated client portal

Creating an impactful brand for your clients means you need to ensure that you have the necessary information and resources at the right time. While communication is critical in successful design projects, many designers struggle with client interactions cluttering their email inbox – causing delays and confusion. To help alleviate this, we made a shift from Inbox to a dedicated Client Portal hosted on ClickUp – and this has been a game changer!

The client portal is now a centralized hub where we direct our communication. It allows us, as the designers, to request additional information from our clients, provide updates on projects and obtain client feedback as we import examples of the work that’s been executed. Because clients can access timelines, deliverables, and expectations for every phase of their project, they are not only consistently informed but it has also helped them understand our workflow better, leading to prompt feedback and content submission. And with all of this in place, projects move forward smoothly and deadlines are met consistently.

P.S. This client portal has single-handedly changed the way I run my business, and many other designer’s businesses! It is a best seller in the template shop!

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Elevating your design process is a journey that requires time, strategy, and consistent efforts. By creating and using templates for your design phases and implementing a dedicated client portal, you can significantly improve your workflow and client experience – in turn, allowing you to attract high-ticket clients who value your professionalism, which leads to increased profits and a thriving design studio!

If you’re ready to level up your client onboarding and back-end workflows, head to my Shop and snag the exact templates I use in my business that have helped me go from overwhelmed to organized.