What's behind a design methodology? Although each project is unique, we have found that a solid and yet flexible methodology helps to drive projects to a successful completion. By being flexible in the events for each phase, we allow the uniqueness of the project to influence the methodology for which it will be completed. In this phase, we conduct interviews with key representatives, such as internal staff, clients, users, and competitors to identify a project's goals and requirements, measurements of success, and project schedule. Using a user-centered approach, we focus on identifying the target audience and then discover their primary needs. The output of this phase is typically a creative brief and project schedule. During the Design Specification phase, we go deeper into the project requirements. Depending on the project, we work with key client representatives to develop more detailed project documentation such as the site architecture, content map and functional/technical specifications. If appropriate to the client's timeline, a paper prototype will be developed and informal user testing conducted. The Design phase begins with initial design concepts that are presented, reviewed and refined until a final design is achieved. Based on the project timeline and budget, the number of initial design concepts can vary. Typically, design reviews are done remotely with a final presentation in person. Once the design is approved, the production process begins. In the Production phase, the final files are created, optimized and tested. For Web-based projects, this would include creating templates, optimizing images, hand-coding the HTML and JavaScript and cross-platform/browser testing. For print projects, this phase includes creating the final mechanicals, working with the printer to determine the appropriate format and confirming the colors and papers to be used. Once the final files are created and approved, the files are delivered to the end-destination. In Web-based projects, the files are either provided to the client's engineers or we post the files to the remote server ourselves. For print projects, the implementation phase involves reviewing the bluelines and performing final press checks.