There are some questions that you should ask the client or your boss (or even you're self) before you start your design.
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What is the goal of the design? What do you want to achieve with this
This question is important because it gives you direction. It helps you figure out how to frame your reasearch. -
Who is the intended audiance?
while this may seem like a given, its not. some times the intended audiance is not as well known as some would think so its always important to make this ether the first or second question in your artilery of questions to ask. -
Are there any specific color themes that you want me to use?
The thing to remember is that the coustomer or your boss probably already has an idea of what colors they want you to use. -
Do you have an idea of what type of layout you want?
sometimes the client will know generally how they want the design to look the thing is they are unsure about how to get it that particular way, that is why they came to you. Its always a good idea to ask. -
Do you have any specific information (wether text or pictures) you want included in the design?
This may seem like a redundant queston but some customers may have matirials that they want to include in the initial design, its always good to ask. -
Do you have a prefrence on what kind of paper you want to use? Will this be used on the web?
This is another key thing to ask. Sometimes the type of paper used and the type of background a webpage has can affect the look of a design, so by knowing this you will know how to create your design so that it will accomodate this..
The Meeting
This is probably the most important part of the whole process. This is the part where you find out what the customer wants. If you are working in a company then this would be the part where you find out what the boss wants. Its very important to come to the meeting prepared to take notes. Listen to what is being said and take notes. The customer has an idea of what they want so let them put voice to it. If you can come up with a better way of going about it thats good but let them talk first. Ask lots of questions. this way you can know how to frame your plan of action.
I will pause here to say that some companies dont exactly opperate that way, some tell you and a few other designers what the client is looking for and then want you to come up with a preposal before you actually meet the client. In that case its still good to take notes and pay atention.
The long and short of it is that the initial meeting is key in the design process. If you dont know what the client is looking for in a design then you have no real direction and with out direction you have no real design (although you may wind up with some decent abstract art.) So take notes and ask questons. If you think you may have a better way then dont be afraid to mention it but only after the person holding the meeting has had time to say what is on their mind.