L ast month I ordered some Moo Minicards, which I posted a review of here. I liked them so much that I’ve been trying to think of a reason to get some more – and last week I found that reason! I’ve just started working with a major new client on a very exciting project (under wraps at the moment, but watch this space) – and for the kickoff meeting which took place yesterday, they wanted to discuss design structure and direction. I’ve done some work with moodboards in the past, and it’s always been fairly rigid, boring, and non-reuseable. I wanted to create some dynamic materials that would be applicable to a lot of clients. I found the answer in Moo.
The Story
There isn’t a huge amount of information to cover here, so I won’t turn this into an unnecessarily long post. I decided to use some more Minicards as reference material for our initial meeting. I designed each card with a different screenshot of one of my favourite websites or pieces of digital artwork across a large range of difference styles and applications (this took a long time). The benefit of having them printed at a small size is that everyone at the table (including the designer) is forced not to focus on the details, but to get a general feel for the big-picture.
Did it Work?
You bet it did! We had a really great meeting, and out of 100 cards the clients were able to quickly and accurately describe exactly what they were looking for by referencing 8 specific cards which they really liked. As a web designer, this gives me a perfect starting point for the design, and as a business owner it gives me a really effective communication tool.
Another small detail to note is that since the last time I ordered from them, Moo have updated their packaging. The Minicard boxes now contain convenient organisational tabs, appropriately titled “Mine, Theirs, and Favourites”. These come in handy for taking the cards away from the meeting without forgetting who liked what.
The best part of course is that the cards are totally re-usable, and I think I’ll be bringing them to a lot more future client meetings!
What do You Think?
This was a bit of a revelation for me, but have you done anything else similar which has really helped establish the mood and direction of a design project?
Update
Due to popular demand below, I’ve released the PSD file and JPG’s that I used to place my order with Moo. If you are interested in grabbing a copy so you can have your own client reference cards printed up then just click here.
Absolutely genius mate, will be doing something similar myself methinks, at the very least will get a moo flyer made for each of my portfolio items, as I can use them as style references too.
Seriously great idea dude.
That is quite genius! When the client doesn’t know what kind of design they want, they end up visiting sites they normally visit on a day to day basis and tell you that they, “kinda want something like that.”
SO FRUSTRATING and not a good way for the client to fully receive an awesome site as they should. Why hasn’t anyone thought of this before?!
What a brilliant idea this is! I want some!
Seriously though, I can really see just how helpful this would be to quickly establish the style/mood/feeling before kicking off a project. It’s often hard establishing exactly what style floats a client’s boat (This is probably because they don’t really know themselves) When I have time I’m gonna make up a set of these. Unless of course your willing to share yours? :P
Great work again John!
That’s not a bad idea actually – how many people would be interested in a creative commons licensed PSD of the 100 cards in 100 layers that I used?
That would be a great idea, I’m sure there are tons of people looking an idea like this to kick-start their meetings.
It wouldn’t be something I’d use just yet, but that’s only because I don’t have the client base that would benefit from it. In a year or two though, this would be perfect!
A big “Yes please!” from me :)
Obviously I’d be very interested. That’d be awesome.
Count me in!
I would definitely be interested in getting that set!
This is a brilliant idea, John. Please add my name to the list of folks who’d be interested in a copy of this file!
I would definitely go for that.
I’d definitely be interested.
Absolutely interested in the PSD! Awesome idea.
A really great idea but don’t forget to get permission from the people who designed the sites, as technically they own the copyrights currently.
There’s no way in hell I’m going through 100 site / contact forms / emails / waiting for responses. If they want their site removed from the PSD then it can be, but tbh it’s only really the same as having a screenshot featured on Smashing Mag or a CSS gallery!
Absolutely John, I think that’s a great idea!
Ok I think I’ve got sufficient responses to this, I’ll try and put together the files over the next couple of days and release them in a new post – I’ll send all those who expressed an interest an email when the post is up!
I might even make a set to frame for my wall. The collection of them looks as if they’d make great art (along with a healthy dose of inspiration).
What. A. Great. Idea.
Wonderful. Yes, I’d be interested in the PSD – personally, I think you should PayPal it for a few bucks and recoup some of that effort … but hell, I’m up for CCL too!
Thanks.
Awesome idea!
You’ve really come out with a brilliant idea here. I can’t count the number of times I’ve been in Client meetings trying to describe a design concept or scrambling to find a URL on my laptop. Something like this would really help to drive the meeting forward and get a clear direction from the client.
I think Impulse Studios would be interested if you licensed the PSD.
That’s an amazing idea! I’m going to design and order my mini moo cards for my business soon.
I love it!
Recently ordered my new set of Moo cards (just in time for @WordCampNYC). I may very well try this idea for future client discovery meetings.
Absolutely awesome! what a great idea man, very awesome!
WoW. really a great idea. knowing that a design process even in makeing prototypes is a huge amount of work this way is really nice done. it’s not only interactive, it’s also budget saveing for future projects. grat!
A very smart idea. I’ll definitively be interested for the PSD file too. Keep up the good work!
This is a great use of Moo cards! I would be interested in the download. Many thanks
Working out what the client means is without doubt the hardest part of design, anything that soothes that pain is a most welcome suggestion.
Cool idea!
Just a question, what was the startup-cost?
95% of my clients are remote, so I don’t know how well this would work for my business, but I think the idea is brilliant. I know you wanted to keep the post short, but I’d love to hear more about how the meeting went. How the clients interacted with the cards, the comments they made about the cards, why they chose one over another, etc. It really beats the “find 5 sites you like for reference online” and having them send 5 different links all in a different style.
Count me in for the .PSD!! :)
Hi Renee – you make a good point, as the overwhelming majority of my clients are remote too, maybe there would be some way to turn these screenshots into a simple website that clients could browse through with you while on a skype call? I think that might work!
The meeting went really well – the 5 of us spread the cards out across a large table and then everyone picked out the ones that stood out most to them as what they were looking for. We then went round the table talking about what everyone picked and why. :)
Genius stuff with the cards! My clients are all remote so I do a lot of things to engage them in the process. At the initial stages I will upload a simple slideshow gallery with concepts to my ‘playground site’ and then use Skype’s share screen functionality to walk the client through it. Then, as the project unfolds I’ll do the same with a simple functional wireframe, then with the fully styled version.
Taking your genius idea and applying it to remote clients… you could create just a massive montage of little thumbnails that will pop-up into a lightbox when clicked on?
Love it… good work sir.
Genius! I absolutely LOVE this idea. And the tiny size is just right for getting the gist of a site– larger screencaptures are a pain to lay out on the table. Please put me on the list to receive your files. Thanks so much!
This is a perfect way to understand what feel/style the client is looking for! Great work. I’ll definitively be interested for the PSD file too.
Awesome! This is a great idea. Please add my email to get your file when you are ready! And thanks in advance… we all really appreciate your effort :D
This is a great idea. I’d love to see what sites you used for your demo, when you’re ready to share.
Thanks!
I’d like some of those cards!
Hummm, why didn’t i think of that? Anyways, time-saving both at meetings with the client and at work trying to solve the riddle of “i don’t what, but it ‘as 2 b different from the rest”. Thanks for the post and pliz, add my address to you list, heh?
Update me when the files are available.
Kick ass idea, love the cards!
Top notch!
I would love to check out the psds!
Great idea. Congratulations. I,ll try it in spain. I think this can help me with my cliente. Please put me on the list too. Thanks so much!
What a great idea for Moo cards. Have used mood boards too with varying degrees of success. Count me in for the notification
Hi John,
I’m just starting out in the graphic design business and am always looking for better ways to format the foundation of my business. The MOO cards sound like an amazing idea and would love to receive the PSD when it becomes available. Thank you for sharing your idea with the world. I, for one, totally appreciate the help :)
Would love to get a copy!
Thanks!
Small cards. Big value.
Really like the idea of converting mood charts to moo cards. Would like to hear from you if a copy is available.
Big thanks and greetz from germany.
Just thinking, do you have the URLS to the sites that are on the cards? Would be nice to print them on the front of each card as well so it’s be dead easy to take a look at the rest of the site once the client has chosen a few they really like.
I don’t I’m afraid – I have them all in my LittleSnapper, so it’s fairly easy to pick them out. Will have to think of a way around that one!
This is a superb marketing idea John, well done! :-)
I would be very interested as well!
To be honest, I kind of knew that it would work out the way it did though… clients are usually extremely bad at explaining what they’re looking for exactly. Tiny cards like that makes their and your job a lot easier since they “have” to pick and choose a few favourites.
There are 3 (in my opinion) possible downsides a designer has to be wary of though:
- The client might specificly point a few cards out as their favourite, which are actually just pretty pictures to them, and not designs pointed at what their market “expects” to see.
- The client also might pick a card and “demand” that he gets a similar style/design/approach. Not a bad thing, not always a good thing either.
- The designer however, could theoretically get too influenced by the overal design of the card the client picks, which can reflect your personal creativity.
As long as the person having the meeting is aware of that and makes sure that it doesn’t come to that… this approach might be very helpful in keeping meetings short and productive :)
MOO has some of the best cards in the industry hands down … minicards are great. If you need some more design inspiration just check out my site :)
This was a genius idea, I’m not surprised it worked out so well. I’m subscribed to your rss but I wanted to comment just to make sure I catch this when you put it out.
Thanks Angie! I’ll be sure to let you know! :)
Great concept, would love to see the 100 that worked for you.
please count me in on the email list :)
great idea !
This is a brilliant idea. I am interested in a copy of this file!
Add me to the mailing list for sure~
Thanks!
Excellent idea! I’d be very interested when the PSD/JPG files were available. Also subscribing to your twitter and feed. Thanks!
Great idea – and thanks in advance for sharing your effort.
I usually have to traipse around the web for a day or so taking screen shots of relevant-ish sites, but these cards would save a lot of bother.
Cheers!
Awesome idea – and yes I would be interested in getting my hands on the file. Out of curiosity – ho much did it cost?
Hi David, the cards were about £10, and then I paid a bit extra for express delivery.
Hey,
great article.
I would like 2 receive the files, too!!!
Thanx
greetz,
Dom
What a fantastic idea! Really top stuff dude – also, thanks for ref one of my sites! Please keep me updated on your source files.
Great idea! I’d love to see the cards that you used.
Would definitely like to receive it too.
Very cool idea, can’t wait to use them!
would love to get a copy of the files too.
Thanks for your effort and kind sharing.
Do it John! They look great! Love it
Also interested in the PSD files… Thanks.
john, what a freakin great idea :) a great way to find a base from which to build with a client. would love to be kept up to date as regards the psd file. would like to try them myself..
I’m definitely interested in the PSD files. What a great idea!
Nice idea John – would certainly be interested in the PSD please! Just subscribed to your RSS feed so keep the great content going!
This is the coolest thing I’ve seen for a long time – seeing web designers developing their own methods for understanding what a client wants like this gets me really excited about where web design/development as a career is heading.
I’ve been toying with the idea of a “hair dresser” style book of general website structures and design features for client meetings for a long time, but this sinks it…consider your idea stolen =D
Awesome article, really interested in PSD. Thanks for sharing this nice post. :)
What a great idea! And yes, I’m very interested. Please let me know when you have it ready!
Hi John,
Thanks for the blog post. I can see this working for my business as well.
Please send me the PSD when you’re free.
Thanks!
What an abso-bloody-lutely great idea! I would love to get my hands on the PSDs! Awesome work there man.
Brilliant idea, would love to get my hands on that PSD!
John,
GENIUS as always.
I’d love to get the PSD too!!!
I’ve been thinking of doing this for awhile, but always thought it would be more expensive than that! Can you post up your psds please?
I’d like that PSD too. Great article and idea.
A really really great idea :-)
WOW! What a brilliant brilliant idea- Thank you for passing it on!
Great idea, John. I particularly like how a small card can force the audience to focus on the big picture…Bravo!
Great idea.. thanks for sharing ;)
John, what a great idea and what a great “give” to all of us. I’d be interested in using this concept for an upcoming presentation. Thanks
This is excellent, good job!
Thanks for sharing, this will definitely make a difference, can’t wait to get my hands on that PSD.
Thanks for your generous offer to share the psd / jpeg. Great idea – even for folks who are trying to decide their own design direction.
What a great idea – wish I had thought of it. All of these ideas really get you thinking outside the box and this is the best one yet. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Great idea! I never thought about using the cards as a presentation tool- but it’s perfect. I’m certainly going to forward this info on to other business owners. Thanks!
Great stuff dude! in your opinion, does the card strategy works while we show the cards online on a webpage?
Brilliant idea man!
This is a great idea, it’s very difficult to get clients to look at overall design without getting tied up in details. I have been collecting sites I like on Flickr for a couple of years, I realise now that this could be used in the same way on screen as Flickr will display them as a grid of thumbnails.
Just found your site Via webdesigndepot. Super idea. I mean really, reallly super. Thanks for putting in the time and effort to release the source files and web templates.
Sounds good – count me in – would ove a copy for inspiration
Hi John,
Seriously genius idea.
Please also let me know when teh PSD file is available for download!
Great idea — both to use the Moo cards and to share that process. I have been checking out http://blog.vtravelled.com/, it’s lovely to see the story behind the work. Thanks for sharing this… openness in what we do is awesome but too rare. Nice work!
Sara
Amazing! I’ve been trying to do something likely for a while now.. I usually send my clients a “webdesign index” book by the pepin press, out of which they can decide what type of design they like.
The only problem with my method is that there are a lot of ugly websites in the book. These cards are great!
I would love to get my hands on the files :D
Would love a PSD of the 100 cards. keep me informed!
Due to popular demand below, I’ve released the PSD file and JPG’s that I used to place my order with Moo. If you are interested in grabbing a copy so you can have your own client reference cards printed up then just click here.