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Bookmark or Share my Website with Others
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My Creative Process and
Business Philosophy
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Click below for more information about…
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Building a Working Relationship |
| Interpreting your needs is critical and the 2-way street of communication is key to achieving a solid understanding of your objectives. Our initial meeting, usually via phone and/or email, is a time for information gathering, getting to know your preferences, determining your target audience, exploring job specifications, setting preliminary deadlines, and discussing budget considerations.
Quite often, this process helps to sharpen your focus so you can hone in on the essentials of your project. At the same time, I gain important insights into your philosophy, your business, and your personality.
This foundation will drive your project. Our communication should continue throughout the entire design process.
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| Concept Building & Development |
| The initial creative process is an exciting period. The ingredients ... a good part talent, another part inspiration, some research, experimentation, a dash of dumb luck, and perhaps a little mind reading ... are all filtered through the parameters we've discussed.
I usually develop several concepts and narrow them down to the ones I feel are most effective. If your project is a complex piece or your expectations are already well-defined, I may limit the preliminary concept to one.
All projects are appropriately scheduled into my workflow. If you have an emergency deadline, I do my very best to fairly accommodate all.
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| Proofing & Revision Phases |
| You'll receive your proofs electronically, as medium-quality PDF files, which you can view and print from your desktop. At this stage, the concepts are somewhat roughly developed. It's important to get your input before spending a lot of time on every option. I anxiously await your feedback ... and welcome it all.
During the first proof, it is common for clients to mix-and-match elements from several of the options, such as: "I like the font in this one, the image from that one, and the color scheme here. Can I see those things together?" There are no limits to the possibilities. We narrow down the options to one or two, discuss alternatives, and we tweak-tweak-tweak until you are thrilled with the final result.
On the rare occasion, we go back to the drawing board.
At the final proofing / approval stage, it is your responsibility to ensure that everything is correct and exactly as you want it.
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| Production or Launch |
| Once we have arrived at a happy design conclusion, it's time for gratification. The moment has arrived to print, output, electronically distribute, or upload your project.
Some jobs will be used or produced in-house, requiring nothing further from me. For others, I send the appropriate files to the appropriate venue, per our discussions.
Preferring control over printing decisions and quality control, many clients like to comparison-shop or already have a relationship with their own print shop / digital printer — or in the case of websites, their own web host. In this case, I contact your account representative, confirm their set-up requirements, and arrange for transmission of the electronic files.
Conversely, I can handle the printing for you. I charge only for my time necessary to complete the job, with no 'up charge.' The shop would bill you independently, or we could arrange for pre-payment of the printing. I am happy to manage the production phase in whichever manner best suits your needs.
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| Logging Project Time |
| I do not guess at time spent on client projects. I maintain a log sheet where I mark down my beginning time and log-out time. If I am interrupted for phone calls or the like, I log myself out of your job to address the interruption. For calculation purposes, I round up or down to the quarter hour. As a result of changes in the scope of a project, my original estimate may differ from actual time invested ... either up or down … and will be invoiced accordingly. If I spend less time than I estimated, that is what my invoice will reflect.
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| Fees & Payment |
| My freelance work is service-based. Fees are invoiced according to my time invested in your project. I charge an hourly rate of $55 with consideration given to not-for-profit organizations, start-up businesses and referrals. Website design is charged according to a different fee schedule which is available upon request. As a good-faith gesture, I ask that 50% of the estimated total be paid in advance with the remainder paid upon completion. As we build a working relationship, we may amend this stipulation.
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| Letter of Agreement [LOA] |
| Before beginning new projects with new clients, I respectfully request an agreed-upon, slightly customized, standard 'Letter of Agreement' [LOA] which is endorsed by the Graphic Artists Guild ... Graphic Artist's Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines [www.gag.org].
At the outset of our partnership, I will fill out the particulars of the job and email the LOA to you. If all looks satisfactory, please sign it and fax it to 386.775.9995. I will sign and fax you back the completed contract.
For a long-term relationship, we can complete and file a blanket agreement that will apply to all projects.
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| Confidentiality |
| I take the confidential nature of my clients' work very seriously. I never share information between clients or access their files for others.
If you should want to send or share your files to/with others, I will need to have your express permission either verbally [confirmed by email] or in writing.
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| Back Ups & Archives |
| Although I cannot assume legal liability for the safe housing of files, I do maintain a regularly backed-up system and the files are stored in a fire-safe file cabinet. If you should want personal back-ups of your files, we can arrange for that. These files would not include my personally-owned-and-licensed fonts or art.
I would charge for the media cost, any postage, and time spent.
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| Client Satisfaction |
| The fact that you are pleased, thrilled, and delighted is paramount. I work very hard to make sure that you get exactly what you want and within a reasonable budget.
Your business and ventures are important to me. I think of myself as your silent partner, and take pride in making the whole process a satisfying and painless one, minus frustration and disappointment. If you have any concerns or issues to the contrary, please feel encouraged to talk it over with me. It all comes back to communication!
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| Ideas for Staying Within Your Budget |
| Plan Out Your Project |
| Although I absolutely love free rein on a project, it does add time to a project.
Clients generally have a vague — sometimes concrete — idea of what they want that's just waiting to be actualized. Jot it down ... scribble notes ... draw stick figures ... provide existing documents that support what you're looking for ... collect other printed pieces that reflect the approach you're envisioning ... send me links to websites that strike you. It all helps me get into your head.
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| Keystroke Your Content |
| Provide your content in an digital document such as Word, PowerPoint, within an email message, ASCII text, etc. I can access text from most file formats.
Depending on quantity, keystroking can add a great deal of time to a project. If provided, you also have the opportunity to make sure it reads exactly the way you want, avoiding revisions and possible typos if I input it.
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| Reduce Revisions |
| Minimize revision phases. Try to keep a list of changes and submit them at the same time rather than in dribs-and-drabs. The more a document is touched, the more it adds to billable time. |
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| Communication ... Communication ... Communication |
| Communication is key. Elaborate on your expectations. I will reiterate my understanding of your wishes. The better I understand what you want, the better the chances of getting you what you've envisioned ... and sooner. It also limits the chances of making revisions that were not needed. |
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| Provide Past Projects |
| If you have digital files that contain elements such as your logo or art [that you are licensed to use], it can eliminate the need to re-create or replace those elements. |
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| Estimates, Running Totals and Final Costs |
| I provide an estimate of the time I feel a project will take in our Letter of Agreement. However, it is not a hard and fast rule.
If a job takes less time than I estimate, that is all I charge. There are also times that a project runs over my estimate. Each job is different, and there are many reasons a job ends up being more involved than anticipated.
If you would like a running total as your project progresses, just let me know!
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