Glossary of Terms
Terminology & Policy
Below is a list of terms, and associated policies, used by Spark Design Group when working on projects with our clients. By becoming familiar with this section, our clients obtain a clear understanding of Spark’s production process and development policies. (This is not the Terms & Conditions section.)
Status | Art
Type | Input | General
STATUS
Active
When a Spark Project Manager has determined that
all necessary Input has
been received, resulting from a request to Add
New Art Number, status will change from Pending to
Active. Clients will be notified of this status change
by e-mail. The new Art Number can now be entered into
Spark’s schedule for completion. Client may request
an *estimated completion date.
* An “estimated completion date” is a
date (or date-range), provided by a Spark Project Manager,
for completion of a request. Timely completion of a
request is almost always dependent upon the involvement
of the client. Client participation may negatively
affect an “estimated completion date”.
Add New Art Number
Client has determined that a work request has been
awarded. By adding a new Art
Number the client is agreeing contractually to
engage Spark to complete the request. When an Add New
Art Number request is submitted, via Spark’s
On-Line Job Tracking software, Spark will verify receipt
of the request by e-mail. All new requests will maintain
an initial status of Pending.
Approved
Applies only to client work requests that have been
completed (Submitted
for Review). Approved status means, unequivocally,
that the client proclaims Spark has completely fulfilled
the work request. And by doing so relinquishes Spark
of any further responsibility as related to the work
request. To declare client agreement, only a client
can assign this status. Approved status should be assigned
when; the client has determined that the work will
be utilized (only for it’s originally defined
purpose) as is, and requires no further Change
Orders or Error
Corrections. Approved requests may be resurrected,
but will require either a new Art
Number, or a Notated
Art Number.
Art Number
A descriptor used to permanently reference a specific
piece of artwork. An Art Number may be numeric, alpha,
or alphanumeric. Spark requests that clients assign
their own Art Numbers. Art Numbers may refer to any
type of artwork provided by Spark. See Add
New Art Number.
Change Order
Applies only to client work requests that have been
completed. To prevent unauthorized work, only a client
can enter this request status. A client may request
a Change Order, only for work that was previously completed
by Spark. A Change Order must be requested via Spark’s
On-Line Job Tracking software. Notes must
be accompanied by detailed, specific, instructions
from the client, which are entered into Job Tracking
Notes along with the Change Order request. Change Orders
will be billed for by the hour at the appropriate rate
as assigned by Spark. Once completed a Change Order
will be Submitted
for Review.
Error Correction
Applies only to client work requests that have been
completed. Only a Spark project manager can assign
this status. Requests for error correction MUST be
made within 30 days of the most recent Submitted
for Review date. Requests for Error Correction
made later than 30 days will not be taken into consideration
and will be viewed as a Change
Orders. If a client determines that an error was
made, caused by Spark, the client may request that
the error be corrected at no charge. To do this the
client MUST contact a Spark Project Manager, by phone
or e-mail only, to review each individual case. If
Spark agrees that an error was made, due to an error
in Spark’s work, arrangements may be made to
correct the error in question. Spark will notify the
client of its decision by phone or e-mail. Spark maintains
the right to deny any request for error correction.
Inactive
NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. Applies only to client Jobs or Projects that
have been Completed and Approved.
Inactive status implies that the client considers the
work “not likely to be addressed again in the
near future”. Inactive status should be promptly
assigned to all Projects where all Jobs and Art
Number have been Approved. Inactive Jobs and Projects
remain permanently on record in Spark’s On-Line
Job Tracking software and can be resurrected if necessary.
In-Progress
A client work request has been started. The duration
of time required to fulfill a client work request will
depend on the completeness of Input that
was provided by the client. If the Input is complete
then it is more likely that the work request will be
completed in a timely fashion.
Notated Art Number
If a client work request, that has been Approved,
requires a Change
Orders it may be resurrected by assigning it a
Notated Art Number. A Notated Art Number is an altered
version of the existing Art
Number, modified to include a new suffix; (i.e.
C-20079 would become C-20079A.) As assigning Art Numbers
is a responsibility of the client Spark will conform
to the process suggested by the client, with the exception
that some alteration of the original Art Number MUST
be applied. It should be considered that clients may,
at their will, change any Art Number once they have
taken possession of the work.
Pending
Client has determined that a work request has been
awarded. Pending is the default status, resulting from
the action of Add
New Art Number. Work will not begin while status
is Pending. All requests to Add New Art Number will
remain Pending until a Spark Manager has determined
that all necessary Input,
related to the request, was received; at which point
a Spark Manager will change the status to Active.
Client will be notified by e-mail when the status has
been changed to Awarded. Pending status can also be
used to *reserve a start-date for work.
* Reserve a start-date means that the client has the
opportunity to specify a specific date to begin the
work, essentially reserving a block of time. Spark
has many clients, and may not be able to begin a new
work request on the day that Input is received. If
the client can specify, in advance, the day that input
will be delivered, Spark will provide an estimated
start date for that work. If input is not provided
to Spark by the reserved date, then cancellation or
other charges will apply.
Submitted for Review
A client work request has been completed. Only a Spark
project manager can assign this status. Spark considers
a work request completed (ready to be billed for) at
this stage. Client approval of a work request is not
required for a bill to be generated. Once work has
been Submitted for Review clients may submit a new
request, to alter the original request (or same Art
Number) which may be submitted for either an Error
Corrections, or a Change
Orders. When requesting modifications, to what
was originally submitted for review, only these two
options will be available.
3-D Solid Model
Spark defines 3-D Solid Model artwork
as intelligent electronic artwork that is non-parametric
in nature. Being exclusively CAD generated a 3-D Solid
Model utilizes complex engineering software to produce
extremely accurate object representations. 3-D Solid
Models are usually generated by utilizing numerically
oriented data measurements as Input.
A highly skilled CAD technician must implement this
data. Once implemented, the resultant products being
a fully functional 3-D rendition of the object. 3-D
Solid Model objects can be rotated to be viewed from
any angle, perspective, or distance. All of the features
and functionality of a Rendering can
be applied. A 3-D Solid Model may incorporate: Cutaway
Sections, Transparency Techniques, Textured Surfacing,
Light Sources, Exploded Parts, Animation, Intelligent
Links (Hot Spots), etc. The specific art style and
software requirements for a 3-D Solid Model will likely
affect its cost. 3-D Solid Models are also commonly
referred to as: Parametric Models, Cutaway Drawings,
Artistic Renderings, and Exploded Views.
Animation
Spark defines an Animation as the production
of artwork that utilizes motion. Spark produces only
electronically created / software-based Animation.
An Animation may be simplistic (utilizing Line
Art or Flow Charts) or complex (utilizing 3-D
Solid Models or Renderings). Animations
may also incorporate the use of sounds, voice-over,
and / or music. Animations may be used in electronic
Technical Documents, on the Internet in web-based applications,
or in Software Products in the form of Tutorials. Animations
may incorporate every type of Artwork produced by Spark.
The specific style and software requirements for an
animation will likely affect its cost.
Line Art
Spark defines Line Art as artwork that
is strictly black and white, devoid of any color including
gray scale, is lacking of filled areas (sections of
artwork which give the impression of opacity by means
of texture, color, or highlight). Line Art may be the
product of electronic software, including: CAD, Graphic
Design (vector or raster), web based (HTML, XML), etc.
The specific art style and software requirements for
Line Art production will likely affect its cost. Line
Art is also commonly referred to as: Spot Drawings,
Traces, Exploded Views, Isometric Drawings, Instructional
Drawings, and Assembly illustrations.
Line Art with Color
Spark defines Line Art with Color as
artwork that includes: color (including gray scales).
Color may be utilized as colored lines or areas filled
with color (sections of artwork which give the impression
of opacity by means of texture, color, or highlight).
Line Art with Color may be the product of electronic
software, including: CAD, Graphic Design (vector or
raster), web based (HTML, XML), etc. The specific art
style and software requirements for Line Art with Color
production will likely affect its cost. Line Art with
Color is also commonly referred to as: Spot Drawings,
Traces, Exploded Views, Isometric Drawings, Instructional
Drawings, and Assembly illustrations.
Rendering
Spark defines a Rendering as artwork
that fully utilizes color and filled areas (sections
of artwork which give the impression of opacity by
means of texture, color, or highlight). A Rendering
may serve to visually represent any object, and can
range from cartoon-like to a highly detailed level
of realism, and may also be a 3-D
Solid Model. A rendering may incorporate: Cutaway
Sections, Transparency Techniques, Textured Surfacing,
Light Sources, Exploded Parts, Animation, Intelligent
Links (Hot Spots), etc. Renderings may be the product
of electronic software, including: CAD, Graphic Design
(vector or raster), web based (HTML, XML), etc. The
specific art style and software requirements for Rendering
production will likely affect its cost. Rendering is
also commonly referred to as: Cutaway Drawings, Exploded
Views, Isometric Drawings, Instructional Drawings,
and Assembly illustrations.
Video
Video is the procurement of electronically
recorded clips, sometimes used in combinations, which
portray an action, motion, or event. Video may be tape
oriented or digitally recorded. Videos may be used
in electronic Technical Documents, on the Internet
in web-based applications, or in Software Products
in the form of Tutorials. The specific style and software
requirements for a Video will likely affect its cost.
Actual Product
Refers to the complete physical product,
and / or all necessary component(s). To select this
option the actual physical product must be either;
shipped to Spark’s corporate headquarters, or,
made available to a Spark representative for the gathering
of necessary Input Information. If Actual Product is
being made available to Spark, whereas travel is required,
client agrees to pay all related travel expenses (in
this scenario clients may arrange for a mutually agreeable
travel expense solution). All costs related to shipping
to, and from, Spark are the responsibility of the client.
CAD File
Refers to any variation of electronic file format
generated by an industry recognized CAD system. Examples
include: .DWG, .STEP, .DXF, .IDW, .IPT, .IAM, .IPN,
etc. Spark may not be able to accept all file formats.
CAD files may be directly submitted by: Spark’s
On-Line Job Tracking software, FTP file transfer, or
traditional media such as CD and ZIP Disk via snail
mail. All costs related to shipping to, and from, Spark
are the responsibility of the client.
Digital Photo File
Refers to any variation of electronic file format
that is associated with Digital Photography. Electronic
Files accepted by Spark include: .JPG, .TIF, .GIF,
.APS, etc, in either MAC or PC format (Spark prefers
PC formatted files). Spark may not be able to accept
all file formats. Electronic files may be directly
submitted by: Spark’s On-Line Job Tracking software,
FTP file transfer, or traditional media such as CD
and ZIP Disk via snail mail. All costs related to shipping
to, and from, Spark are the responsibility of the client.
Electronic File
Refers to any variation of electronic file format
that is NOT a CAD oriented file, or a Digital Photo.
Electronic Files accepted by Spark include most variations
of Graphic Design software files, in either MAC or
PC format (Spark prefers PC formatted files). Examples
include: .EPS, .AI, .PDF, .CDR, etc. Spark may not
be able to accept all file formats. Electronic files
may be directly submitted by: Spark’s On-Line
Job Tracking software, FTP file transfer, or traditional
media such as CD and ZIP Disk via snail mail. All costs
related to shipping to, and from, Spark are the responsibility
of the client.
Other
Refers to any electronic file format that is NOT covered
by the available choices in this category. Spark prefers
PC formatted files. Spark may not be able to accept
all file formats. Electronic files may be directly
submitted by: Spark’s On-Line Job Tracking software,
FTP file transfer, or traditional media such as CD
and ZIP Disk via snail mail. All costs related to shipping
to, and from, Spark are the responsibility of the client.
Project
Refers to the highest-level category
of a request for work. A Project may encompass many
Jobs and Art Number, whereas a Job or Art Number may
be associated with only one Project. Only a Spark Project
Manager can enter a Project into Spark’s On-Line
Job Tracking software. Projects require an appropriate
Purchase Order before any work can begin. A Project
MUST be entered into Spark’s On-Line Job Tracking
software before Jobs, or Art Numbers, can be assigned.
Project Name
Refers to the name assigned to a Project.
Most often names are assigned by the client, and reference
a client’s internal data. Only a Spark Project
Manager can enter a Project Name into Spark’s
On-Line Job Tracking software.
Job
Refers to the second highest-level category
of a request for work. A job may encompass many Art
Number, whereas an Art Number may be associated with
only one Job. Jobs may require an appropriate Purchase
Order before any work can begin, but are often adequately
covered by an associated Purchase Order assigned to
a corresponding Project. A job MUST be entered into
Spark’s On-Line Job Tracking software before
an Art Number can be assigned.
Job Name
Refers to the name assigned to a Job.
Most often names are assigned by the client, and reference
a client’s internal data. Once a Project has
been established in Spark’s On-Line Job Tracking
software clients may enter a new job (some restrictions
apply).
Job Descripton
See Project Name
Project Leader
Refers to the Spark Project Manager who is assigned
to a Project.
Submitted Date
Refers to the date on which a client requests a Job or
an Art
Number. Submitted Dates are only assigned during
client entries. This date is permanently recorded in
Spark’s On-Line Job Tracking software.
Notes
Both clients and Spark employees are able to assign
Notes in Spark’s On-Line Job Tracking software.
Clients are encouraged to enter Notes to: describe
the original nature of their request, comment on the
progress or quality of the work, and to communicate
with the creator of the artwork. Upon a Notes creation
an e-mail is sent to both the originator of the Note
and the client / Spark staff associated with the Job.
Notes are permanently archived and viewable until the
associated Job has been made Inactive.
Notes can be associated with Art
Number only. Client notations are always in green.
Opening Notes
Only clients are able to assign Opening Notes in Spark’s
On-Line Job Tracking software. Clients are encouraged
to enter Opening Notes, to thoroughly describe the
original nature of their request and to communicate
with the creator of the artwork. Opening Notes are
only available during the process Add
New Art Number. Opening Notes are permanently archived
and viewable until the associated Job has
been made Inactive Notes
can be associated with Art
Number only. Client notations are always in green.
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