Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question that isn't answered here, please email me!
General Project Questions
How do we start working together?
First, check to see if my pricing works for your budget (there's more information about how to do that in the next answer). Then, if you'd like to move ahead, just contact me by phone at 650-358-9973 or by email to get started.
How do you charge? How much does it cost?
I do most branding projects on a project-fee basis. That way, you know exactly how much your project will cost from the beginning (as long as you don't need extra revisions or to add on to the project).
Contact me for details.
I occasionally work on projects on an hourly basis, though—especially in cases where there's already been some work completed by another designer, or where your project specifications are vague. I also do website maintenance and marketing collateral updates (like changing addresses) on an hourly basis.
What's included in the design package?
Again, check the Packages Page or Quote Form — I've tried to be really specific about what's included with each and every package. If you have more questions, or need clarification, please email me.
Will there be a contract to sign?
Once the services and prices have been determined for your project, a simple contract will be created and sent (via email) to you. You print and sign the contract and mail or fax it to me. I must receive a signed contract before work can begin.
How can I pay you?
I accept credit cards (Visa, MasterCard), payment through PayPal (which also allows you to use your American Express or Discover card), or you may pay by check or money order.
What's the payment schedule?
A deposit of 50% is required before starting work on your project, and the remaining balance is due upon completion.
Can I cancel the project once it's started?
Sure. However, in the event of cancellation by the client, the client shall pay all expenses incurred, as well as fees based on the degree of completion of the project.
I want to know all the legal stuff about working with you.
Actually, all of the legal stuff, and a lot of the questions I normally get asked about rights, stock photos, etc. are all detailed and explained in my Terms page. I don't want to keep any of this stuff a secret!
Logos
How does the logo design process work?
Once you've decided to move forward with the logo design, I'll send you a copy of my Define Your Difference Branding Workbook to fill out. Your answers help me better understand your style and needs, and also help guide the design. You'll be involved throughout the process, so you always know the direction your project is headed in.
You can read all about the design process I've developed for creating a small business's logo here.
How many rounds of revisions do I get to the logo?
My logo design package includes 5 total rounds—1 initial round of concepts and up to 4 rounds of revisions.
What file formats do you deliver the logo in?
I send you the final logo files in color and black and white (and occasionally greyscale, if appropriate for your particular logo). In each color format, you'll get the file in 10-15 different formats. You'll have files you can use in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, on a website, on your emails, on your blog, etc. You'll also get the original copy of the logo in Adobe Illustrator vector format. I really try to provide you with all the files you'll need in the future.
How long will it take to finish the logo?
Typically, it takes about 3 weeks to create a logo—from the time that I get the completed workbook back. I tend to take about a week to do the initial research and to get the first round of designs completed. And then I'll get each of the remaining rounds to you within a day or two of getting your feedback. This assumes that you get your feedback to me rather quickly—within about 1 business day. Delays in getting feedback to me will delay the project.
Does the logo package include business cards or stationery?
The logo package only includes the logo as the deliverable. I can add on the business cards or stationery, or even marketing materials or a website, at an additional charge if you would like.
Do I get the copyright to the finished design?
Yes. I assign all of the rights in a completed logo design to my clients. The only rights I ask for are the rights to display the finished logos in my portfolio. I also keep the rights to any sketches you don't choose.
What if I like more than one of the concepts?
My logo design package includes selling you the rights to just one finalized logo. If you like more than one concept in the first round, we can take a couple of logos into the next rounds of development. But, if you decide that you'd like to own more than one logo at the end of the project, then we can discuss additional fees involved in finishing, preparing and purchasing rights to the other logos.
Marketing materials
Can you help me get my business card/ letterhead/ brochure/ postcard/ etc. printed?
Sure. I have a lot of printing contacts and can help you through the process. I'll help you pick the right printer, get an estimate, and to get the files all prepared and over to the printer.
Websites
How do I get a domain name?
I strongly suggest that you buy your own domain name—it's a really important part of your brand, and you should own it outright. They're pretty easy to buy. Just pop over to GoDaddy, type in the name you want, and if you find out that it's available, purchase it. You'll probably want to buy it for at least a couple of years. And, you don't need anything else—no hosting, email, privacy stuff, etc. Just the domain name should be just fine for most small businesses. It should cost just under $10.
Do you do web hosting?
Again, not so much. I could set up the hosting for you, but then I'd have to bill you every year, which gets to be a hassle after a while. I recommend Dreamhost for most small business websites.
Do you do shopping carts?
I've designed and set up shopping carts for many small businesses. Just contact me to talk about your specific needs—number of items, any special features you need, etc.—and I can get you a quote.
How about blogs? Newsletters?
Yes. And yes!
If I have a site design, can you help code it?
Probably—I write clean, cross-platform-compatible HTML. I hand-code all of my HTML so that you'll be able to edit it using any program you'd like to (more on that later). Contact me with your site design as an attached file so that I can see what you need, and I'll provide an estimate.
Can I maintain my own site once it's done? And, do I have to know a bunch of technical stuff in order to do that?
Sure! I code the websites that I create so that you can either take your site to another designer to maintain it (if you want to) or so that you can even maintain it yourself. I recommend the Adobe Contribute software to make the changes as easily as possible.
What if I want you to maintain it?
I'm available to do web maintenance. I tend to bill revisions hourly. And, I can usually get to minor changes within a couple of business days, or major changes within about a week (unless I'm on vacation, but then I'll get to them as soon as I get back).
Which blogs and shopping carts do you work with?
I work with TypePad for blogs, One Shopping Cart for shopping carts, and Email Brain for newsletters. Most often. I've worked with some other providers, but these are my standard choices.
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