The design process can turn scary at times if you don't consider these 5 practices. Compiled from my non-fictional experiences, these are practices that were overlooked and took projects in spooky directions:
1. The Silence of the Lambs.
Do you know what's scarier than than someone telling "the design is not good"? Not telling. Silence is not good in the design approval process. If the person assigned with making the final design decision doesn't like it, get her/him to say it... at the right time. Open the door for constructive critique to safe the project.
2. Poltergeist.
Leave design to the designer and set clients' personal preferences aside to focus on the product's brand otherwise you will see your project dressed up in an array of patchy visual effects only compared to the effects of director Tobe Hooper.
3. The Fog.
Excuse me, I can't see the budget? You will not want to swim into foggy waters without knowing how much money there is for producing the idea you are about to come up with. Don't kill yourself by not knowing the budget.
4. The Phantom Carriage.
Now, this is really frightening. You need a driver on your design project and that's the creative brief. If you don't have it, you better start writing it one now before you become a wretched soul.
5. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari.
Design by committee does not work. Even though it satisfies people's egos involved, it hurts the communication between your organization and your audience.
So, don't spoil the story and bury yourself in a senseless thriller. Make it real but not scary.