ASSIGNMENT BACKGROUND / WHY WE’RE DOING THIS

Finding a client with whom to work is only part of the challenge; the real test of a design professional comes in the form of project proposals. A proposal is the designer’s opportunity to present his or her ideas to the client, and to show the client that not only is he or she right for the job, but he or she is also knowledgeable about the client, audience and the project itself

Designers’ final major paper will be an outline (script) of the project proposal (Freelance Project Proposal), which we will be presenting for our peers and — potentially — the faculty.

///////// OBJECTIVES

By the time we’re done with this project, we will be able to do the following:

1. Organize presentation materials logically.
2. Develop a proposal for a project that has not yet been completed.
3. Better recognize the different elements of a project proposal.
4. Speak confidently about a project to an audience.

STEPS:

\\\\ REVIEW THE PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Begin by reviewing the proposal requirements, found within the assignmentFreelance Project Proposal. This assignment sheet will outline all of the elements / topics required for the presentation.

\\\\ WRITING THE SCRIPT

1. Start by writing down the 7 topics outlined in the Freelance Project Proposal assignment.
2. Fill in each topic as thoroughly as possible. Add as much detail as you can find through interviews and research.
3. Next, organize your notes into the outline of your proposal. The elements you will need to include are:
   • Introduction: This is a brief introduction to who you are and what you will be presenting on. Think of this as the answer to the question ‘Tell me about yourself.’ Be clear and concise; avoid rambling or introducing topics that are irrelevant to your proposal.
   • Body: This is where you will address each of the 7 topics outlined within the project proposal assignment. These include information about the client, the project, your research and possible solutions.
   • Conclusion: Finally, end your proposal by briefly summarizing the project and how you are the best fit for the job. While your research and understanding show that you know what you’re talking about, the conclusion seals the deal.
4. Once you have written your outline, develop your final script and find images that are relevant to your proposal. Images you might use are those relating to your client or your client’s business, research you’ve completed about your client’s competitors, sketches and Photoshop mock-ups of possible solutions and general images which can enhance the impact of the topics you are discussing.
5. Finally, export your script as a single PDF, including images you are using for your presentation. Label your images Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, etc. In your script, when you are referring to a specific image, refer also to the figure using parentheses. For example:
   • Artist X’s large-scale paintings of horses are majestic and awe-inspiring, much like the animals themselves. Specifically, X’s 2010 piece, Horse with a Serious Case of Poo Brain, simultaneously invites the viewer closer to examine the meticulous brushwork while forcing the viewer to hesitate, from a distance, at the potential of being trampled beneath the solid musculature that appears to ripple and flex within the canvas. (Figure 2)

GRADING: 

•  PDF of script on Blackboard (10 points – Pass/Fail)
• PowerPoint presentation on Blackboard (10 points – Pass/Fail)
• Presentation
  • Peer Review: (10 points)
  • Faculty Review: (20points)

///////// AUTOMATIC FAILURE

• Required elements are missing within your proposal and / or presentation
• Submission is received after the 5:00pm deadline
• PowerPoint presentation does not work
• Presentation is incomplete