I am also a graphic designer, with very useful and broad
ad agency disciplines that I lend to design assignments.

As for my advertising work, I kickoff with an addressing
client and project items 

•  schedule approval
•  process concept presentations
•  regular updates
•  outside, budgeted services
•  client changes or redirection
•  deadlines for deliverables
•  customer insights, pains, needs and goals
•  relevant issues and factors

I, with my writer, present several problem-solving scenarios as
creative concepts with relevant content that provides your
audience a solution for needs, objectives or simply, information.

Testing is highly recommended, even if conducted informally
with your likely target audience(s), for graphic design that stands
on solid ground!