Where are you
located?
What services do you offer?
Can you do a shopping cart?
What programs do you use?
How much do you charge?
How do we get started?
What do you need from me?
How do you determine how my design looks?
How long does it take?
I don't have any photographs, what do I do?
Can I see what you're doing?
Can I change my mind or add things?
How do I get my piece printed?
How do I set up my website?
Every project has its own personality! Every project has its own timeline and message. The descriptions below are general and ideal. I will happily address any concern or suggestion before, after, and along the way. The important thing is that you end up with a design that successfully conveys your message. But, let's also enjoy the process!
Where are you located?
I am located in Rochester, New York. But, due to email, fax machines, and FTP, most of my clients are out of state! <top>
What services do you offer?
I am a full time graphic designer offering print design (logos, ads, business cards, brochures, posters, labels, etc, anything printed) and website design, including Front End Development. Front End Development means I not only design how the site LOOKS, but I can design or help determine how the site flows, where the links go, the pages and what is on them, suggest interactive items, such as Flash, Java Script, etc. I also code smaller sites and offer email marketing services. If your site is large, and therefore being programmed by someone else, I work with the programmer to make sure the end result looks exactly like the initial design. <top>
Can you do a shopping cart?
I program simpler sites. I am well versed in HTML, CSS and Flash. In other words, yes, I can program a site that uses text, graphics, photos and some moving parts, including videos. If you need a search function, shopping cart, blog or content management system, I can recommend a programmer to help us. <top>
What programs do you use?
I usually work in the current Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Illustrator and Photoshop. Sometimes I use other programs such as Adobe InDesign or Acrobat. For websites I use XHTML, CSS and Flash. I use Dreamweaver as an HTML editor and hand tweak the code. After programming a site I use HTML Tidy to clean up the code and run the code through the W3C HTML and CSS Validators to validate code. Before a site is considered finished I make sure your site works (and looks the same) in several browsers. <top>
How much do you charge?
Different prices apply to different projects; price depends on the complexity and size of the project. I usually work by the hour since that is the fairest way to work. We can discuss a ball park estimate of hours at the start of a project (after I have a good idea of what you need). If you are on a tight budget and want a specific quote before I start work, we can also do that and discuss ways to keep your project within budget. <top>
How do we get started?
After you contact me by phone or email, we discuss what you need in a general way. Sometimes (if the project is small, such as a print design), I can give you a quick time/cost quote to give you a ball park idea how long the project will take and how much it may cost. Then, either at that time or at a later time, we discuss in depth what you need, how you want it to look and the message your project is meant to convey. After I have a solid understanding of what you are looking for I prepare a Creative Brief, which is like a road map - it tells us that we are on the same page, and gives you an idea of what to expect from me creatively and also price-wise. <top>
What do you need from me?
In order to determine how to approach your project I request that you take some time to collect the information that will tell me exactly where to start and where we are going. Please make sure you collect the correct information. The design process takes into account all text, images, photographs, headlines, captions, movies and links. Changes along the way may affect the entire design, time for completion, and, in most cases, the end cost of the project. This is not to say that things can't or won't change along the way (they always do!), just to say that from the beginning it's good to be as prepared as possible. Need some help? Here's a worksheet to help you out. <top>
How do you determine how my design looks?
After we speak, I write down what I heard you say. This is the beginning of the Creative Brief. In this brief I write down any information you gave me and condense it down into a concept (or 2 or 3) for the project. I may have suggestions, additions, or questions, and I add these to the mix as well. When I am finished with the Creative Brief, I present it to you for modification and clarification. This document, though seemingly tedious, makes sure we are both on the same page. Once I have a solid understanding of what you need and an idea of how you would like the finished project to look, I go to work on the design part of the project and give you an estimate of when to expect 2-3 examples. <top>
How long does it take?
Pinning down the design for a logo, a printed piece and a website can take varying amounts of time. All designers will tell you that the first idea isn't necessarily the best idea. Logos, though simple, take longer than you would think! It takes time to find a way to express an idea in one symbol. Websites take a while as well. But once the home page is determined, the subsequent pages go much faster, since the look and feel of the site have already been established. Again, it depends on the project. We can discuss this on an individual basis, once we both have a clear, detailed idea of the requirements. <top>
What do I do about photos?
If you are new to design and don't have professional photographs, companies exist that sell stock photos from about $1 each to $600 (and up!) each, depending upon quality and usage rights. How much you want to spend on photos is something to be determined before we start designing the piece. We can always take our own, hire a photographer or use what you have. I always tell clients that, in most cases, the quality of the photographs largely determines the quality of the website or printed piece. The price of photographs is always a separate cost, not included in the price of the design itself. <top>
Can I see what you're doing?
Of course! After a while I'll present you with some proofs in either jpg or pdf format. Usually, at the start, I give 2-3 examples for your approval. When you have taken a look, we'll discuss selections and changes. Then, I'll go back to work refining your project. You'll receive another jpg or pdf proof, and again, if necessary, we'll discuss changes. <top>
Can I change my mind or add things?
Of course! I always encourage my clients to have all their materials, text, photos, graphics, etc. ready before I begin. This saves time and money. However, this is not to say that there won't be changes! There will ALWAYS be changes, and this is one reason it is most fair to charge by the hour. However, if we have a contract and a set price, I can be flexible! We can agree up front on how many revisions are included in the price. If you're happy, I'm happy. <top>
How do I get my piece printed?
You can either tell me who your printer is or I can recommend one. I like to speak with the printer to find out how they would like your files prepared and how they want them uploaded, or, if they want me to send a disk. I always send a Project Description file with your artwork to the printer telling them what software I used, what files are included and outlining any specific concerns or instructions. <top>
How do I set up my website?
If this is your first website, or you work for yourself, and you don't know where to start, I will be happy to help you find a hosting service, select a domain name (the name you type in to find your site), and set it up. You can also purchase the domain name and hosting yourself and give me the information (domain name, user name and password for the server). Once you approve your site design, I will code it, test it in several browsers, and validate the code according to latest web standards. When we agree the site is finished I will upload the code to the server, and notify you that the site is live. You can then take a last look and we'll tweek the site to make sure all is as you want it. Once the site is live and approved, all updates, additions, deletions and changes will be considered another project and subject to an additional fee.
If an outside programmer is needed for your project, I work with them every step of the way to make sure your project is properly coded, tested and uploaded. <top>
Hope all this information helps! If you have other questions or need clarification, just let me know! <top>
What services do you offer?
Can you do a shopping cart?
What programs do you use?
How much do you charge?
How do we get started?
What do you need from me?
How do you determine how my design looks?
How long does it take?
I don't have any photographs, what do I do?
Can I see what you're doing?
Can I change my mind or add things?
How do I get my piece printed?
How do I set up my website?
Every project has its own personality! Every project has its own timeline and message. The descriptions below are general and ideal. I will happily address any concern or suggestion before, after, and along the way. The important thing is that you end up with a design that successfully conveys your message. But, let's also enjoy the process!
Where are you located?
I am located in Rochester, New York. But, due to email, fax machines, and FTP, most of my clients are out of state! <top>
What services do you offer?
I am a full time graphic designer offering print design (logos, ads, business cards, brochures, posters, labels, etc, anything printed) and website design, including Front End Development. Front End Development means I not only design how the site LOOKS, but I can design or help determine how the site flows, where the links go, the pages and what is on them, suggest interactive items, such as Flash, Java Script, etc. I also code smaller sites and offer email marketing services. If your site is large, and therefore being programmed by someone else, I work with the programmer to make sure the end result looks exactly like the initial design. <top>
Can you do a shopping cart?
I program simpler sites. I am well versed in HTML, CSS and Flash. In other words, yes, I can program a site that uses text, graphics, photos and some moving parts, including videos. If you need a search function, shopping cart, blog or content management system, I can recommend a programmer to help us. <top>
What programs do you use?
I usually work in the current Adobe Creative Suite, specifically Illustrator and Photoshop. Sometimes I use other programs such as Adobe InDesign or Acrobat. For websites I use XHTML, CSS and Flash. I use Dreamweaver as an HTML editor and hand tweak the code. After programming a site I use HTML Tidy to clean up the code and run the code through the W3C HTML and CSS Validators to validate code. Before a site is considered finished I make sure your site works (and looks the same) in several browsers. <top>
How much do you charge?
Different prices apply to different projects; price depends on the complexity and size of the project. I usually work by the hour since that is the fairest way to work. We can discuss a ball park estimate of hours at the start of a project (after I have a good idea of what you need). If you are on a tight budget and want a specific quote before I start work, we can also do that and discuss ways to keep your project within budget. <top>
How do we get started?
After you contact me by phone or email, we discuss what you need in a general way. Sometimes (if the project is small, such as a print design), I can give you a quick time/cost quote to give you a ball park idea how long the project will take and how much it may cost. Then, either at that time or at a later time, we discuss in depth what you need, how you want it to look and the message your project is meant to convey. After I have a solid understanding of what you are looking for I prepare a Creative Brief, which is like a road map - it tells us that we are on the same page, and gives you an idea of what to expect from me creatively and also price-wise. <top>
What do you need from me?
In order to determine how to approach your project I request that you take some time to collect the information that will tell me exactly where to start and where we are going. Please make sure you collect the correct information. The design process takes into account all text, images, photographs, headlines, captions, movies and links. Changes along the way may affect the entire design, time for completion, and, in most cases, the end cost of the project. This is not to say that things can't or won't change along the way (they always do!), just to say that from the beginning it's good to be as prepared as possible. Need some help? Here's a worksheet to help you out. <top>
How do you determine how my design looks?
After we speak, I write down what I heard you say. This is the beginning of the Creative Brief. In this brief I write down any information you gave me and condense it down into a concept (or 2 or 3) for the project. I may have suggestions, additions, or questions, and I add these to the mix as well. When I am finished with the Creative Brief, I present it to you for modification and clarification. This document, though seemingly tedious, makes sure we are both on the same page. Once I have a solid understanding of what you need and an idea of how you would like the finished project to look, I go to work on the design part of the project and give you an estimate of when to expect 2-3 examples. <top>
How long does it take?
Pinning down the design for a logo, a printed piece and a website can take varying amounts of time. All designers will tell you that the first idea isn't necessarily the best idea. Logos, though simple, take longer than you would think! It takes time to find a way to express an idea in one symbol. Websites take a while as well. But once the home page is determined, the subsequent pages go much faster, since the look and feel of the site have already been established. Again, it depends on the project. We can discuss this on an individual basis, once we both have a clear, detailed idea of the requirements. <top>
What do I do about photos?
If you are new to design and don't have professional photographs, companies exist that sell stock photos from about $1 each to $600 (and up!) each, depending upon quality and usage rights. How much you want to spend on photos is something to be determined before we start designing the piece. We can always take our own, hire a photographer or use what you have. I always tell clients that, in most cases, the quality of the photographs largely determines the quality of the website or printed piece. The price of photographs is always a separate cost, not included in the price of the design itself. <top>
Can I see what you're doing?
Of course! After a while I'll present you with some proofs in either jpg or pdf format. Usually, at the start, I give 2-3 examples for your approval. When you have taken a look, we'll discuss selections and changes. Then, I'll go back to work refining your project. You'll receive another jpg or pdf proof, and again, if necessary, we'll discuss changes. <top>
Can I change my mind or add things?
Of course! I always encourage my clients to have all their materials, text, photos, graphics, etc. ready before I begin. This saves time and money. However, this is not to say that there won't be changes! There will ALWAYS be changes, and this is one reason it is most fair to charge by the hour. However, if we have a contract and a set price, I can be flexible! We can agree up front on how many revisions are included in the price. If you're happy, I'm happy. <top>
How do I get my piece printed?
You can either tell me who your printer is or I can recommend one. I like to speak with the printer to find out how they would like your files prepared and how they want them uploaded, or, if they want me to send a disk. I always send a Project Description file with your artwork to the printer telling them what software I used, what files are included and outlining any specific concerns or instructions. <top>
How do I set up my website?
If this is your first website, or you work for yourself, and you don't know where to start, I will be happy to help you find a hosting service, select a domain name (the name you type in to find your site), and set it up. You can also purchase the domain name and hosting yourself and give me the information (domain name, user name and password for the server). Once you approve your site design, I will code it, test it in several browsers, and validate the code according to latest web standards. When we agree the site is finished I will upload the code to the server, and notify you that the site is live. You can then take a last look and we'll tweek the site to make sure all is as you want it. Once the site is live and approved, all updates, additions, deletions and changes will be considered another project and subject to an additional fee.
If an outside programmer is needed for your project, I work with them every step of the way to make sure your project is properly coded, tested and uploaded. <top>
Hope all this information helps! If you have other questions or need clarification, just let me know! <top>