For conference programs, annual reports, etc. - text is provided to me as word files with some formatting to show me where the titles or main points are. Any available artwork is also emailed - photographs, existing logo, etc. If you don't have photographs, there are a number of royalty-free stock photography sites, but keep in mind you might very well see the same picture somewhere else.

I prefer to work in InDesign, but also work in Quark. For my regular clients, work is usually created based on something designed earlier. Fonts, styles, and artwork are carried through for consistency. However, for new clients, I provide initial comprehensives of sample layouts to see if I'm close to solving the project. It's a very important stage in the process. I'm sure you have a budget in mind - so I have to also consider size and mailing requirements.

You can comment in the pdf files I provide with Adobe Reader and send back to me. The next stage is usually refinement of one of the layouts. Then we'll probably have a couple of rounds for the proofing stage. Finally, after you've approved, I'll provide a high-resolution pdf file or the InDesign files to your printer - or - I can recommend a printer.

The samples here are only a couple of spreads of 16 or 32 pages.