The following are to help answer some commonly asked questions about my design services and policies. If you have further questions or would like to learn more, please contact me with your request.
If you are considering hiring me for a design project, I ask that you fill out my project questionnaire.
FAQ about hiring me for graphic design:
-What specific graphic design services do you provide?
-What forms of payment are accepted?
-How do I receive my files once a project is complete?
-How long will a project take to complete?
-I don’t live near you, will this be a problem?
-Do I own the rights to a design?
-What’s involved in the logo design process?
-Why should I hire you over someone else?
-What if I don’t like the artwork or designs presented to me?
-How will I be able to communicate with you throughout the design process?
-Can I view testimonials from past clients who have worked with you?
Answers:
Q: What specific graphic design services do you provide?
I specialize in logo design and business branding but offer a variety of graphic design services, including:
- Logo design and business branding
- Image editing and photo enhancement
- Promotional design: flyers, album artwork, posters, magazine, web banners, business cards, letterhead
- Custom graphics and vector art
- Digital portrait paintings
It can be difficult finding a good designer. If you are in need of services not listed above, look no further. I have built relationships with some of the best designers in my area. If you are in need of any of these services below, I can point you in the right direction:
- Web design
- Flash design
- Wedding photography
Q: What are your prices?
I would love to have a “one size fits all” pricing list, but since all projects are unique; this is not possible. The price of a logo design for example depends on a few things, including: number of revisions wanted, estimated research required, and level of difficulty.
I can give you an exact price but I will need to know the specifics of your project first. By filling out my project questionnaire you will provide me with enough information to give you a price quote and a better understanding of your needs.
My payment policy is pretty standard; 50% down and the remaining 50% to be paid upon satisfied completion of a project.
Q: Will you price match?
Price matching only works for items that are identical. Since no two designers or projects are the same, it’s not really fair to say “So and so only charges $200 for a logo design, you should too”.
There is a reason why one designer may charge $200 for a logo, and another charges $1500. Graphic design is like any other service industry; the pricing is based on a value of “worth”. It is up to the buyer to determine whether or not the price justifies the worth. I believe my pricing is very fair for what I offer; I hope you do too.
Q: What forms of payment are accepted?
Paypal, credit card, check, or money order are all acceptable forms of payment. The benefit of making payment through Paypal is that payment is received instantly and I can begin working on your project that much sooner. If you don’t have a Paypal account you can still use their services to make a credit card payment. All Paypal fees will be paid by me.
If you chose to pay by check or money order, I won’t be able to send your final project files until payment clears.
Q: How do I receive my files once a project is complete?
Your files will be emailed to you. If for some reason the files can’t be sent via email (i.e. file size), then there is always the option of FTP or mail by cd.
The file types/formats you will receive depend on the type of project. All vector work will be sent in “.eps” format. High resolution images will be sent as “.jpg” (300 dpi, rgb color mode). Here is a quick overview of the file types:
• .EPS (Encapsulated Postscript format): This is the file you would bring to any print shop to get printed. If you wish to edit the file, a software program like “Adobe Illustrator” will be needed. Other designers will be able to open this file and make any necessary changes. EPS is a vector based logo format, and can be read by both PC and Macintosh (Apple) computers. It is a scalable format that can be re-sized with no worries of image distortion or degradation. The .eps file will contain all of the necessary font and color (Pantone Matching System) information needed for commercial printing.
• .JPG: A high resolution (300 dpi ) version of your logo that can be edited in most desktop publishing applications (recommend Adobe Photoshop). This file can be re-sized down, and used in all of your web based projects. All .jpg files will be sent in “rgb” color mode (good for web), or in “cmyk” color mode (good for print) if otherwise requested.
Since there are literally hundreds of different combinations of file size, color mode, and file type, it’s not reasonable for me to send you hundreds of files. Instead, I will ask you what colors and sizes you will be needing your logo submitted in. This way you receive only the files you need.
I will send up to 10 different (color x size x file format) combinations free of charge, but after that I must charge $5.00 for each additional file sent. I have yet to have a customer need over ten files, so this shouldn’t be a worry. Any color, size, or format you will ever need, can be created directly from your master EPS file.
Q: How long will a project take to complete?
Once I’ve established the details of your project, I will be able to inform you of expected time frames. The complexity of your design will determine this more than anything. Some designers offer “fast delivery” as a selling point, but at what cost to quality?
I don’t view the creative process as a speed contest. Good design takes time. I understand the necessity for getting a project finished in a timely manner, but I will not sacrifice quality for anything. Read about my design process for a better understanding of the work flow, and why it takes time.
Q: I don’t live near you, will this be a problem?
Not at all! Although I love having local clients, most of the people I work with are hundreds of miles away. With the internet, distance is not a barrier. All communication can be done strictly through email and phone, with no problem.
Q: Do I own the rights to a design?
Absolutely! Full ownership of all designs and artwork is transferred to the client once final payment for a project is received. It is up to you whether you want to officially copyright your designs. I reserve the right to showcase in my portfolio, any designs or artwork I create (unless you ask me otherwise).
Q: What’s involved in the logo design process?
Design brief: To save us both valuable time you will be asked to fill out my project questionnaire. This will help me better understand your needs, insights, and expectations. I will review your answers and spend some time establishing a price and a time frame for completion.
If we agree on the simple terms of the project, I will then request 50% of the payment be sent prior to starting on your logo design. The remaining 50% will be expected upon satisfied completion. Before I start on your project, you will receive a confirmation of initial payment and a project outline agreement.
Research: Some time is spent researching your company. This involves learning about your business’ history, industry, trends, and competition. Research is helpful towards creating more custom logos and avoiding cliche designs.
Brainstorming: This is where I take all the notes I have gathered about your company, and begin to brainstorm ideas and start sketching my thoughts to paper. This process can not be rushed, as this is where the initial concepts are formed.
Drawing: When I feel I’ve got enough good ideas to work with, I begin the task of converting my favorite ideas and rough sketches into more clean and proportional designs. This step can become very tedious, but well worth the added effort.
Computer Development: By now, I’ve accumulated enough drafts of the logo design to re-draw digitally on the computer. After the designs are complete, I begin playing around with color options.
Delivery and Analysis: The computer drawn concepts are then sent to you for analysis. Once a design is chosen, we then discuss any necessary modifications.
Finalizing: When a design is chosen and finalized, the second half of payment will be expected. After I receive payment, you will be sent the appropriate files for print and web use, as well as a receipt of purchase.
Q: Why should I hire you over someone else?
This is for only you to decide, but I can offer you a list of the perks of working with me:
• You will be working with me directly. With some of the larger design firms, you may not receive this “one on one” attention. Projects often get tossed around between designers.
• I think communication is key, so you should never have to wait too long for a response from me. I have a 24 hour rule, but usually I’m able to respond within a few hours. If I’m on my computer, you will receive instant replies to your emails. You can call my personal phone number as well @ 615-425-6851.
• My prices are fair. Many designers/design companies have rates around $40/hr. My rates are much lower, especially for larger projects. You would be lucky to find more affordable pricing for design of comparable quality.
• My logo designs are created specifically for your company. There are many designers who slap a pre-made symbol or graphic next to your company name and call it good. I like to call these “drive through” design shops. They appeal to certain people because they are cheap and fast. The result is a logo design that is overly generic. My logos are 100% original, scalable vector, researched, and used only once.
• A design firm may consist of a dozen designers. 8 of them are fantastic at what they do, but the other 4 are not so good. Which one will be working on your project? Unless you can view the designer’s individual portfolios (usually not the case), you may just be playing a game of Russian roulette with your design. By viewing my portfolio and viewing my website, you are able to get a good sense of my abilities and work process. I believe this is a great benefit I have over multi-member design companies.
• I don’t outsource any of my work. I know certain other graphic design companies do, because I’ve worked for them in the past. When you deal with a firm who outsources their projects you are running the risk of working with a designer who you know nothing about.
Q: What if I don’t like the artwork or designs presented to me?
My policy is pretty standard. In the unlikely event you are unsatisfied with the final design, you are left with a couple of options. For logo design projects, you will have the option to purchase additional concepts (at pre-determined rate), or to walk away.
If you decide to walk away from the project, I will keep the initial 50% down payment for time invested, but you are not expected to pay the remaining amount. Only when full payments are received, do the rights of any designs become property of the client. For all other (non-logo) projects, the same rules apply.
Please note; I have yet to have a customer just walk away empty handed. It is my goal to make you happy, and I will do what I can to achieve just that. However I must protect myself as well. Offering unlimited concepts and revisions is just not possible or realistic. Any design company offering this sort of deal is pure bogus. What does “unlimited revisions” mean…50 revisions?…100 revisions?
Q: How will I be able to communicate with you throughout the design process?
You can contact me by email or phone, which ever you prefer. I can also meet with you in person if possible, and when necessary.
Q: Can I view testimonials from past clients who have worked with you?
I’ve only just recently began asking my clients to leave testimonials, so the list is not very long. Although by visiting my testimonials page you still should be able to get an idea of what you can expect when working with me.
