Thank you for your consideration. I know that working with a creative professional for the first time often prompts a few questions. The first usually being, "How do you work?", followed closely by,"How much will it cost?"

Below is a breakdown of our working process into easy-to-follow steps along with some information on charges and payments. I hope that this answers all of your questions; if not, please contact us by phone or email and we will be happy to address any questions or concerns big or small.

---

1. Either call, email or submit a project estimate request through our handy online form. I may contact you for more information if needed before delivering a custom estimate for your project.

2. If assigned to your project, the first thing we will do is schedule an information-gathering meeting between myself and your key staff. This can be an in-person meeting for local clients, or a teleconference for those a little farther away.
I am interested not only in scheduling, budget and job specifications, but also in your preferences, target audience, and objectives. And, of course, I will want to know all the user features and benefits of the product or service. It will help you sharpen your focus and objectives, and it will help me ensure that what I produce is not only creatively excellent, but strategically targeted.

At this time, a non-refundable deposit of 25% of the estimate total is due in order for me to start work on your project. If there is a rush order on your project (finalized files in 2 weeks or less), the entire estimate amount is due in full and rush charges apply.

3. From there, I will take the time to consider several concepts and work them through. This, plus the need to schedule my workflow in a businesslike fashion means that I normally ask for up to two weeks, depending on the job’s complexity, before I submit my rough concepts for your review. Of course, if you have a rush project or deadline pressure I adjust my workflow and timing accordingly.
My rough concepts usually consist of sketches and pen drawings. They are adequate to convey what I believe is the best approach to take, taking into consideration your budget, schedule, objectives, and preferences. On the other hand, they are not so well developed as to have wasted time and effort if we need a course correction.
After submitting, I’ll ask for comments. The more objective and specific you can be, the better I will be able to respond. Comments are my input for revising the rough concepts into a finished one. Revision normally takes me about a week, and I will submit the revised art to you shortly thereafter.

At this point, a second payment of 25% of the estimate total is due.

4. From the input of this second submission, further minor refinements are made as necessary. I also finalize the production timetable, and the scheduling of additional services such as photography or illustration.
3 rounds of revisions to the original concept are included in your estimate; any last-minute changes in direction can cost time and money. I recommend the finished layout be routed to the appropriate decision makers for fact and detail checking only, reserving stylistic and subjective decisions to your project manager. To avoid costly confusion, it is also important that all communication with me come from the project manager.
Once all conceptual art and layouts are approved, I will begin work on the final electronic files.

Here, a third payment of 25% of the estimate total is due along with any overages that may have occurred.

5. The finalized files will be delivered to you and your printer via your preferred delivery method!

The final payment of 25% of the estimate and any additional charges not paid in step 4 must be paid at this time for delivery of the final files to occur. When paying by check, please keep in mind that the time required for hand delivery may effect the schedule.

Charges
Like all service organizations, my charges are based on the time I invest in a project. Project costs range from a low of a few hundred dollars up into the thousands, depending on my clients’ needs and budgets. I always provide a proposal and estimate for approval before starting. I adhere to my estimates unless project specifications change. Activities that will affect the schedule or estimate/budget are identified in writing.
My goal is to keep your project moving ahead quickly, smoothly, and cost-effectively; to make sure that I’ll produce even better results than you hired me for.

Payment Methods
We currently accept checks, credit cards via Google checkout and PayPal.

Additional Information
The entire process can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 12 weeks depending on your project and the feedback that you give us. The more information you provide to us, the better. It can make the difference between loving the first concept and finishing ahead of schedule or drawing out the process with multiple revisions.

 

Thanks for spending your time with us. We look forward to working with you!