skip to main content

Our Creative Matters® Process

Every great company has a “secret sauce” that makes them stand out . . .

And Rule29 is no different (except we’re not exactly keeping it a secret). What sets us apart is the distinctive process with which we approach each and every project—a process that melds curiosity with research, thinking, imagination, collaboration, and caring. At Rule29, you will find that we are obsessed not so much with just coming up with any solution, but coming up with the best solution for YOU.

Ask
1
Discovery

To serve our clients, we have to get to know them. The more we know, the better we can work together to understand the strengths, pain points, and everything in between. We want to know everything we can, such as key competitors and marketing indicators, projects, and any preconceptions, so we can hone in on the strategic sweet spot of where we want to be.

Ask
2
Research

After discovery, we employ the right combination of research tools at our disposal (you wouldn’t use a hammer to saw a piece of wood, after all). This can be internal audits, competitive analysis, interviews, focus groups, and quantitative/qualitative research. We also collaborate with research partners for national samplings and "specialty" industries.

Ask
3
Audit

We are endlessly curious and always trying to learn more. It’s important, though, to not just ask a lot of questions, but to ask the right ones. We use our auditing process to zero in on answers to strategic questions about specific end goals, target audience(s), and what successful communication looks like.

Ask
4
Analyze

There is huge value in digging into the data. Processing key information gathered from the Discovery, Research, and Audit steps paint a full picture to help us to fine-tune solidify scope and format, and suggest additional avenues while factoring in time and budget.

Think
5
Problem Solve

We are constantly asking ourselves “Is there a better way of doing this?” By properly identifying the problem from feedback and research, we put our minds together to prioritize and identify strategic connections and the right solutions to implement.

Think
6
Ideate

The creative process calls for some exploration. We have a culture that strongly believes in creating a judgment-free space to sort through as many ideas as possible. This includes everything from the simple to the outlandish. The more, the better – because you never know which one could spark the right solution.

Think
7
Collaborate

Ideas are meant to be shared, not hoarded (just like your favorite dessert). By sharing and connecting with our strategic partners and clients, we are able to take a closer look at the project needs and how those tie back to the client’s goals. From there, we can perfect the recipe.

Think
8
Strategize

The journey from the start of a project to its end is hardly ever linear. With input and data collected, we factor that in with all the insights gathered to develop the best course of action. This means accounting for different scenarios or situations so the creative solution meets and exceeds the end goals.

Create
9
Design

This is where we roll up our sleeves and get to work building out the best designs that help elevate our client based on all of the information we have compiled. We tinker, iterate, and refine until we are left with the best solution. This can include (but is not limited to) Brand Strategy, Print, Web, Digital, Social, Video, Packaging, and Environmental.

Create
10
Implement

Who would we be if we just finished the design and left you to your own devices? That's not how we roll. Instead, we do everything to set up, train, and manage the means of distribution so each project can have impact it deserves. We want to be a partner – able to consult on solidifying aspects of the solution from both an internal and external perspective.

Create
11
Launch

We know there are always nerves and sweaty palms associated with launches. We work to put your mind at ease, expertly targeting the solutions to the desired audience(s), whether internally or externally. We also don’t need to be comedians to recognize that timing is everything. So, we predetermine the ideal launch time period for that audience.

Create
12
Evaluate

We are constantly seeing where we can tweak and make improvements to better serve our clients. When projects are done, they’re not really done. There is always ample opportunity to assess what went well and how our efforts can be improved based on feedback, data, and audits. This information helps us work toward refining key messaging or implementation.

Ask
Think
Create
1
Discovery
2
Research
3
Audit
4
Analyze
5
Problem Solve
6
Ideate
7
Collaborate
8
Strategize
9
Design
10
Implement
11
Launch
12
Evaluate
Ask
Discovery
To serve our clients, we have to get to know them. The more we know, the better we can work together to understand the strengths, pain points, and everything in between. We want to know everything we can, such as key competitors and marketing indicators, projects, and any preconceptions, so we can hone in on the strategic sweet spot of where we want to be.
Ask
Research
After discovery, we employ the right combination of research tools at our disposal (you wouldn’t use a hammer to saw a piece of wood, after all). This can be internal audits, competitive analysis, interviews, focus groups, and quantitative/qualitative research. We also collaborate with research partners for national samplings and "specialty" industries.
Ask
Audit
We are endlessly curious and always trying to learn more. It’s important, though, to not just ask a lot of questions, but to ask the right ones. We use our auditing process to zero in on answers to strategic questions about specific end goals, target audience(s), and what successful communication looks like.
Ask
Analyze
There is huge value in digging into the data. Processing key information gathered from the Discovery, Research, and Audit steps paint a full picture to help us to fine-tune solidify scope and format, and suggest additional avenues while factoring in time and budget.
Think
Problem Solve
We are constantly asking ourselves “Is there a better way of doing this?” By properly identifying the problem from feedback and research, we put our minds together to prioritize and identify strategic connections and the right solutions to implement.
Think
Ideate
The creative process calls for some exploration. We have a culture that strongly believes in creating a judgment-free space to sort through as many ideas as possible. This includes everything from the simple to the outlandish. The more, the better – because you never know which one could spark the right solution.
Think
Collaborate
Ideas are meant to be shared, not hoarded (just like your favorite dessert). By sharing and connecting with our strategic partners and clients, we are able to take a closer look at the project needs and how those tie back to the client’s goals. From there, we can perfect the recipe.
Think
Strategize
The journey from the start of a project to its end is hardly ever linear. With input and data collected, we factor that in with all the insights gathered to develop the best course of action. This means accounting for different scenarios or situations so the creative solution meets and exceeds the end goals.
Create
Design
This is where we roll up our sleeves and get to work building out the best designs that help elevate our client based on all of the information we have compiled. We tinker, iterate, and refine until we are left with the best solution. This can include (but is not limited to) Brand Strategy, Print, Web, Digital, Social, Video, Packaging, and Environmental.
Create
Implement
Who would we be if we just finished the design and left you to your own devices? That's not how we roll. Instead, we do everything to set up, train, and manage the means of distribution so each project can have impact it deserves. We want to be a partner – able to consult on solidifying aspects of the solution from both an internal and external perspective.
Create
Launch
We know there are always nerves and sweaty palms associated with launches. We work to put your mind at ease, expertly targeting the solutions to the desired audience(s), whether internally or externally. We also don’t need to be comedians to recognize that timing is everything. So, we predetermine the ideal launch time period for that audience.
Create
Evaluate
We are constantly seeing where we can tweak and make improvements to better serve our clients. When projects are done, they’re not really done. There is always ample opportunity to assess what went well and how our efforts can be improved based on feedback, data, and audits. This information helps us work toward refining key messaging or implementation.
Ask

We begin by exploring and understanding the context of who you are and what your goals are. This includes, but is not limited to, assessing what has been done before, what your competitors are doing, and what your stakeholders’ expectations are. But it’s not just about asking “The What.” It’s also about figuring out “The Why.” Every solution is evidence of the question asked, and unfortunately people are too often satisfied by easy questions and easy answers. Don’t worry, we’ll ask you the hard questions.

Think

Once we have a better understanding, we put on our thinking cap on and start to strategize about the best way to achieve success for you, in whatever way you have chosen to define it. Is your goal brand awareness? A better website? The perfect headline? We’ll put all of our brainpower into figuring out how to get you there, based on everything that we’ve learned about you.

Create

This is where the magic happens. We put pen to paper (or, more accurately, fingers to computer) and make your dreams a reality. We design, write, and implement the desired strategic vision. Once your brand-new project is ready to launch, you can bet that we will help you figure out the best way to bring it to market, too!

Repeat

A funny person once said, “Repetition is the key to comedy.” That doesn’t really have anything to do with us, but in our creative process, we always repeat steps 1–3 for all of our projects (whether “finished” or not) to ensure that the creative, strategic solutions that result are always optimized to best serve you and the goals you want to achieve. We see the partnership with our clients as an iterative process—one that can continuously be improved and refined.