How I Work
Most graphic designers have certain way of doing things. Here is how I work
in a nutshell. Once I am contacted for a job, either via
email or by phone, I will find out what the project entails, when you
need it done, and what your budget is. Depending on the project I will follow
that up with a proposal/creative brief and an estimate of the cost. I work
by the hour, so my estimate is time based. I try very hard to be sensitive
of your budget. Once we are in agreement as far as the proposal and the price,
we will both sign a contract based on that information. Before any work begins,
I will need to acquire 1/2 of the estimated price in either a personal check,
a cashier's check or money order. I would recommend the latter since I have
to wait for a regular check to clear my bank. The Payment Schedule looks like
this:
Initial Start - 1/2 of the estimate NON-REFUNDABLE
Reciept of Solid Mock-up - 1/4 of estimate
Completed Project delivered - Remainder of estimate
Generally, I provide three comps (compositions) or directions that your design can go. I try to make it as basic as possible so that I don't waste any of the time in case I am going in the wrong direction. Once a comp is accepted, it is signed off on. This tells me that is what you want and gives me your permission to proceed in that direction.
Next, I develop the solid mock-up. That means that colors, graphics, layout, and text is inserted. You will get a pdf emailed to you of the mock-up to make sure that we are on the same page and that everything is as it should be. Once you sign off on the solid mock-up I receive one-quarter of the estimated price to continue with the project.
Finally, once the project is set up and ready for print I will either a) send it to the printer / web host of your choice or b) burn the project onto CD for you to deliver once I've been paid the remainder of the cost.
Any changes in direction of the project once it has been signed off on may result in more time which means more cost to you. Please keep that in mind when the project is being worked on.
There was a time when I took 1/2 up front, then 1/2 upon completion. Unfortunately, I have been burned in the past with some clients so now it's 1/2, 1/4 then 1/4. If you cancel out of the project, then you will be billed the amount of hours worked. This is all explained on the contract. I also have some pdf's that talk a bit about working with me and my procedures. Please call me if you have any questions
Retainer
If you have a website that you would like me to continue maintaining, a multi-faceted
project, or if you are a print broker, I am available for retainer. Just let
me know what you are needing and I will send you a Retainer Agreement.