Checklists - Resources - Branding Toolbox

Verification tools that ensure completeness and prevent errors.

Checklists turn complex processes into verifiable steps. They catch forgotten items, ensure consistency, and free mental energy for creative work. In design practice, checklists guard quality at critical moments—project kickoff, deliverable review, file handoff.

Why Checklists Work

Reduce Cognitive Load

Complex tasks have many steps. Checklists externalize memory:

Don't rely on remembering everything
Focus attention on doing, not tracking
Reduce anxiety about forgetting

Catch Errors

Even experts make mistakes:

Overlooked steps
Assumptions that prove wrong
Details that slip through

Checklists provide systematic verification.

Ensure Consistency

Repeatable quality across:

Projects
Team members
Time pressure situations
Client expectations

Project Checklists

Project Kickoff Checklist

Before beginning work:

Administrative

Contract signed
Deposit received
Project folder created
Team briefed (if applicable)

Understanding

Brief reviewed and understood
Questions answered
Stakeholders identified
Success criteria clear

Planning

Timeline confirmed
Milestones defined
Communication plan set
First meeting scheduled

Setup

Design files created
Research folder ready
Reference materials gathered
Tools and access confirmed

Mid-Project Health Check

Periodic verification:

On timeline?
On budget?
Scope as agreed?
Client relationship healthy?
Quality meeting standards?
Documentation current?
Any risks emerging?

Project Completion Checklist

Before final delivery:

Deliverables

All items from scope delivered
File naming follows conventions
Files organized logically
Formats as specified
Quality verified

Documentation

Guidelines complete (if applicable)
Usage instructions clear
File inventory included
Contact information provided

Administrative

Final invoice sent
Client approval documented
Project files archived
Retrospective completed
Case study materials gathered

Design Checklists

Logo Design Review

Before presenting logos:

Fundamentals

Works at small sizes (favicon, 16px)
Works at large sizes (billboard, signage)
Works in single color
Works reversed (on dark backgrounds)
Works in black and white

Technical

Clean vector paths
No unnecessary anchor points
Text converted to outlines
Proper color profiles
Layers organized and named

Strategic

Aligned with brief objectives
Appropriate for target audience
Differentiated from competitors
Versatile for required applications

Brand System Review

Before delivering brand systems:

Logo System

All variations created
Clear space defined
Minimum sizes specified
Color versions complete
Usage guidelines documented

Color System

Primary colors defined
Secondary colors defined
Color values in all formats (RGB, HEX, CMYK, Pantone)
Accessibility verified
Usage guidance provided

Typography System

Typefaces specified
Hierarchy defined
Sizes and weights documented
Licensing confirmed
Fallbacks identified

Applications

Key touchpoints demonstrated
Templates created (if in scope)
Guidelines explain application

File Export Checklist

Before exporting files:

Correct format for use case
Correct color profile
Correct resolution/size
Optimized file size
Named according to convention
Placed in correct folder

Quality Checklists

Visual Design Review

Before presenting any design work:

Alignment and Spacing

Elements properly aligned
Consistent spacing throughout
Grid followed (or intentionally broken)
Visual hierarchy clear

Typography

No orphans or widows
Line lengths appropriate
Hierarchy clear
No awkward line breaks
Consistent styling

Color

On-brand colors used
Sufficient contrast
Color accessible (see accessibility checklist)

Overall

Polished, not rough
Attention to detail evident
Represents your standards

Accessibility Checklist

Ensuring inclusive design:

Color

Text contrast meets WCAG AA (4.5:1 for normal, 3:1 for large)
UI components meet 3:1 contrast
Color is not sole indicator of meaning
Tested with color blindness simulator

Typography

Text is resizable
Minimum 16px for body text (digital)
Adequate line spacing
Clear typefaces

Interaction (Digital)

Focus states visible
Keyboard navigable
Touch targets adequate (44x44px minimum)
Error messages clear

Content

Alt text for images
Headings in logical order
Links are descriptive
Plain language used

Client Checklists

Pre-Presentation Checklist

Before client presentations:

Content

Presentation tells complete story
Rationale explained
Applications shown in context
Recommendation clear (if making one)

Materials

Presentation reviewed for errors
Mockups professional quality
Files accessible
Handouts ready (if providing)

Logistics

Meeting time confirmed
Technology tested
Attendees confirmed
Backup plan ready

Mindset

Know the key messages
Anticipate questions
Ready for feedback

Feedback Collection Checklist

When gathering client feedback:

Asked specific questions
Listened without defending
Clarified ambiguous points
Documented all feedback
Confirmed understanding
Identified decision-maker input
Agreed on next steps

File and Handoff Checklists

File Organization Checklist

Maintaining clean files:

Layers named meaningfully
Groups and folders organized
Unused elements removed
Components properly structured
Styles defined and applied
File named correctly
Saved in appropriate location

Client Handoff Checklist

Delivering final files:

Files

All deliverables included
File formats correct
Files named clearly
Folders organized logically
Read-me or index included

Quality

Final review completed
Files open correctly
No corrupt files
Sizes appropriate