Design Glossary

A formal presentation where an agency demonstrates its capabilities, creative approach, and strategic thinking to win a client project or contract.

A comprehensive evaluation of a product's design system, user experience, and visual consistency to identify gaps, opportunities, and areas for improvement.

A formal document that outlines how a design agency will approach, execute, and deliver work on your project, including scope, timeline, costs, and creative direction.

A project structure where the scope, deliverables, timeline, and budget are clearly defined upfront with minimal changes allowed. You know exactly what you're paying for before work begins.

A pricing model where agencies charge a fixed rate per hour of work, regardless of project scope or deliverables. It's transparent but unpredictable for budget planning.

A Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is a legal contract that prevents parties from sharing confidential information with third parties. Design agencies typically sign NDAs to protect client secrets during project work.

A fixed monthly fee paid to an agency for ongoing work, rather than project-based pricing. Retainers provide predictable costs and continuous support for design, development, or strategy needs.

A written agreement between a client and service provider that outlines the scope, deliverables, timeline, and cost of a specific project or engagement.

A billing model where clients pay for actual hours worked and materials used, rather than a fixed project fee. Costs scale with project scope and duration.

White-label design is when an agency creates design work that another company rebrand and sells as their own. It's a cost-effective way for agencies, resellers, or consultants to offer design services without building an in-house team.