After you have accepted our proposal, signed the contract, and your first payment has been processed, your project starts with a minimum of two weeks of research + strategy before we hit the computer to start designing. Your project timeline depends on what the deliverable(s) are, the output, when we receive content, feedback and approvals, and when we receive payment. Timelines heavily rely on your response time. Following the process outlined in our proposal allows us to think, research and do our best work.
Good design takes time. We use every stage of the design process to guide every project we take on. Our design research is thorough in order to develop a creative strategy that will work for various goals and budgets. If you desire fast and cheap design, you are not seeking the expertise of a professional designer. We won't rush our work for any reason. Once we accept a project, we will establish a timeline that works for everyone.
We do not. There are many specialized areas under the graphic design umbrella. Our areas of expertise are in design research and strategy, marketing communications, typesetting, typography, and editorial design for print and digital media. We have experience in other areas of design, including visual identity for specific projects, but we do not design logos.
Spec work occurs when a designer is offered “exposure” or “experience” in return for invested time. We will not provide any ideas, direction, or designs without payment. The American Institute for Graphic Arts (AIGA) states, “Spec work reflects a lack of understanding and respect for the value of effective design as well as the time of the professionals who are asked to provide it.”
Different strokes for different folks, right? As an independent design studio, our main priority is quality over quantity. Design difficulty, quantity, style, and deadlines all factor into how many projects we will accept. It is never too early to have a consultation to get a spot on our project calendar. You should be seeking modern design and have a desire to stand out amongst a sea of sameness! Big picture thinking and uncommon approaches to attract attention excites us. We choose to work with organizations that are confident in our ability to do great work.
There is no way to truly define what a small or large budget is because every client is unique—as is every business goal. Everyone has a budget to stick to, but it’s up to you to determine if you are truly ready to invest in your marketing with professional graphic design. You should be excited about what great design can do for you, and also know that you certainly get what you pay for. We tailor our designs to meet your budget.
We have to say first that we are not order takers. The success of the marketing materials we design depends greatly on your participation throughout the process, and this doesn't mean just in the review and approval rounds. You will be required to provide in-depth insight into what your organization is looking for and be prepared to talk through why something works for you or not. We are here to guide you along the way.
Professionals are hired in all areas of expertise to help us maneuver through things we don’t know. Graphic design is our profession and as the experts, our tremendous success has come from being allowed to run with our ideas. We will work with you every step of the way during the design process, but remember that you have hired us for a reason, so you must allow us to do our job by simply trusting us. It’s clear & simple. Someone once said, “Why have a dog and bark yourself?”
