The process

How we work,
start to finish.

Every Custom Designs Work project follows the same six steps. The structure is not bureaucratic — it is there because it prevents the most expensive problems in design projects: late structural changes and unclear handoffs.

Day 1

Discovery Brief

A structured conversation about your business, your audience, your competition, and your goals. We produce a written brief before any design begins.

The brief document is written by us and signed off by both parties. It covers the target audience, competition analysis, page structure, design direction, and success criteria. If we cannot agree on the brief, we do not proceed — this protects both sides.

Week 1

Wireframes

Structure first. Black-and-white layout maps define the information hierarchy and user flow before colour or typography enter the picture.

Wireframes are reviewed before we open a colour palette or pick a font. Structural changes at the wireframe stage cost nothing. Structural changes after the visual design stage cost time and money for everyone.

Weeks 2–3

Visual Design

Full screen designs for desktop and mobile in Figma. Colour, typography, imagery, spacing — all applied systematically.

We design systematically using a small component library built for your project. Every button, card, form, and navigation state is designed before any full page is assembled. This prevents inconsistency and speeds up the page design phase.

Week 3

Prototype

An interactive prototype you can click through on a real device — or share with stakeholders and developers for review.

Week 4

Revisions

One structured revision round per service scope. Feedback collected, implemented, and confirmed before handoff.

Week 4–5

Handoff

Annotated Figma file with all values, component documentation, and source exports. Your developer builds — design decisions already made.

The Figma handoff file is annotated with all values a developer needs: exact measurements, font sizes, weights, colours with hex codes, component states, and breakpoint notes. A competent developer can build from it without requiring further design input.

Common questions about the process

Things clients often ask before we start.

Do we need to be in Bergamo or Italy to work with you?

No. All work is delivered digitally. We work with clients across Italy and internationally. English and Italian are both fine.

Can we skip the wireframe stage to save time?

No — and we have tried. Skipping wireframes consistently creates problems in the visual design stage that cost more time than the wireframe stage would have.

What format are the deliverables in?

Figma source files and exported assets (SVG, PNG, PDF, source AI where applicable). We do not deliver in Canva or Wix.

How do we provide feedback during the project?

Structured feedback rounds with a shared Figma comment thread. Feedback is collected and implemented in batches — not in real time, which would slow the work.

Start the process

Step one is
a brief call.

The fastest way to start is to send us a message with a short description of what you need. We will reply and suggest a time to talk.