graphic design process and faqs

Despite popular belief, design doesn't just happen. It's actually a process that unfolds between the creative and the client. Through a gathering of information, we can essentially interpret your thoughts and ideas through our design concepts so that they may be translated into a unique finished product. Since many folks are unfamiliar with the actual graphic, logo or website design process, this page has been created to give an overview as
well as some frequently asked questions. There can potentially be many different variables that go into an actual design depending on its final destination - print or web. The intendion of this page is to bring some clarity and awareness to the client - thus acting as a foundation. You may however contact me with further questions or for specific pricing information. Please note: I do not work "on spec" and fully support NO!SPEC in
its efforts to communicate why this practice devalues the entire design community which in turn can have negative effects on the client as well.

frequently asked graphic, logo & web design questions:

who is the right graphic or web designer for your needs?

As your graphic designer, my goal is to work with you to bring your vision to life. It's more than just throwing a design together. It's about communicating and educating the client as to why something may or may not work — offering sound, effective creative options that also work within your budget. All designers have a slightly different style. Therefore connecting with one that you are comfortable with is ideal.

how do you begin on a project?

Generally there will be an initial consultation and evaluation of your creative needs/goals and to see if I am the right designer for you. Ideally in person if you are local and by phone otherwise. Clients can be located anywhere. The first hour is complimentary. If your requirements exceed the consult, then it will be billed at an hourly rate. If you decide that I am the freelance graphic designer for you then I will draw up an estimate/contract of the services to be provided for the project. If you accept the terms and upon your signature along with a 50% deposit* which needs to clear depending on payment form chosen, the project will then commence. This time frame can vary - but generally 7-10 days.
(*note: the 50% deposit is non-refundable)

what is the time frame on a project?

Time frame can vary depending on the current project load as well as the scope and or complexity of a given project. Once a deposit has been submitted, then design drafts begin. Since the initial concepting process is the most labor intensive, the turn around time can vary and can take one to two weeks to show samples. While there is an open line of communication with the client at all times, it is imperative that the client provide all of the necessary content including text, images, tiff, eps, vector etc.- in a timely efficient manner to ensure the project flow. Not providing this vital information can stall the project completion date. After the initial comp phase a project moves much more quickly - provided that all essential and necessary elements have been provided to me by the client.

what is the actual design process?

Approximately 3 to 5 initial comps are created based on the style and outline of the estimate. One is chosen by the client and further developed. 3 rounds of changes/modifications are included in the estimate. If more are necessary beyond this, then they are subject to an hourly surcharge on top of the original project estimate. This can be discussed further if necessary. I do not offer "unlimited changes" as they are not time or cost effective to myself as the designer and can ultimately cause more confusion and indecision for the client. The design is then finalized and delivered in the necessary file formats depending if this is a print project (high resolution files) or formats for the web .jpeg, html etc.

what is the pricing and payment process?

Pricing on projects can vary greatly and will be determined at the time of estimate. There is a 50% deposit to begin a project unless otherwise discussed. This deposit is non-refundable as it compensates me for my time investment as well as the client commitment to the project. Payment is due IN FULL at the completion of a project and upon deliverables or web site launch. Printing costs are NOT included.

Some projects are done on an hourly basis and may be ongoing with a client. In this case, you can expect to be invoiced at the end of the month as well as mid-month depending on the extent of the work. This keeps things on track and breaks up the billing to the client. Payment of this type of work arrangement is due IN FULL within 14 days of invoicing or risk the project be on hold until payment has been received.

asap = rush charges and are a fair practice in the design industry. They can vary depending on the urgency of the project but can average from 50% up to 200%. Much like FedX, 2 Day Air or Urgent Care, it is like expedited design at a premium. My needing to bump someone else's project or burning the midnight oil for your project deadline means you gotta pay a bit extra. This would be discussed first with the client.

cancellation or kill fees may apply if a job gets cancelled midway through production and it is appropriate to compensate the designer for the work they have completed thus far. This is generally referred to as a "kill fee", and commonly is paid in a percentage of either 50% if pre production work has been done, or 100% if the project is in production or completed.

what is logo development? and why is it important?

Logo design & development is an investment in your identity and brand. It's part of a process and so incredibly essential and important -
one you really should not cut corners on it. It will be be on all of your materials print, web etc. and helps to build your credibility. Logo design is a process that brings the client's vision to life. It helps to symbolize who you are to the outside world and identify as well as differentiate you from your competitors while reaching your target market and audience... (please note: I do not create logos for $50)

do you provide website design and website updates & maintenance?

Yes. I work with clients to create clean, functional websites that are easy to navigate providing a positive user experience. This includes the concept, layout, design thru completion, SEO implementation and final site upload. There are some aspects of more complex programming that I have chosen not to do personally - but will seek out professional colleagues for these client services if and when necessary.

Yes, I do provide site maintenance & updates and educate clients on the importance of this. Maintaining and updating your website is something that should NOT be overlooked. It is important to both your customers and the Search Engines to keep things fresh. Websites that have not been updated for long perioids of time can actually work against your credibility towards your potential customers who will quickly click away. Maintenance could be as basic as some fresh text or a new image and always make sure your contact info is up to date. Website Maintenance is charged at an hourly rate based on a one hour minimum then billed in 1/2 hour increments.

do you offer seo (search engine optimization) services and are these necessary for your site?

The one word answer to this is yes and YES! Competition is heavy for placement in Organic Searches. PPC ad campaigns can be costly which many small businesses can ill afford. This is where Search Engine Optimization (SEO) comes in and why it is so important to have an optimized website. Proper seo should be implemented into your initial site design rather than an afterthought. SEO is built into all web sites that I create as this should be done fundamentally. With Universal searches, it has now become increasingly important to optimize ALL aspects of your page - including images, text and video. Installing some Analytics, choosing good keywords/phrases that are relevant, providing rich content and monitoring your web site's performance - and changing what's not working are things that can affect your traffic and should not to be ignored. Often times if your site is not perfoming well, you may not need a radical redesign - just some layout changes and SEO love!

TIP: SEO can come down to picking a good keyword rich domain name for your site - which may not necessarily be your actual business name!

do you build e-commerce and data driven web sites, offer web hosting or domain name registration?

Admittedly I am a right brainer thus intense, complex back-end development is beyond the scope of the services I provide. If you are in need of this type of web site, then do find a developer who is well-versed in the necessary languages to create your site properly.

At this time, I do not provide web hosting or domain name registration. There are many good hosting options. I would suggest using AISO.net - "Web Hosting as Nature Intended". They are a Green web hosting company - powering their data center with the sun NOT coal and are 100% off-grid. Thus offering carbon-free hosting. They are concerned with both customers AND the Planet which resonates well with my beliefs.

do you have references or a resume?

References are available upon request. A resume may be viewed online as well as .pdf download version for your convenience.