Frequently asked questions
To help potential clients, I’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions I receive.
If there’s anything else you want to know, or for additional explanation, do get in touch.
FAQs about hiring me
Click a question to jump down the page.
- What exactly do you sell?
- How much does it cost to work with you?
- Such and such charges less. Can you match them?
- How long will the project take to complete?
- Can you start right away?
- What does the process involve?
- What exactly do I receive during the course of the project?
- Can you make my design look like this?
- You’re in a different country from me. Will this affect things?
- Can you help with commercial printing?
- How do you accept payment?
- Will you use current trends for my design?
- Can you recommend other graphic designers?
What exactly do you sell?
I sell brand identity design that differentiates my clients’ companies from their competitors, boosting client profits by helping them attract and retain their ideal customer base.
You can view a range of specific deliverables here.
How much does it cost to work with you?
Rather than talk cost, think of brand identity design as an investment. That’s what it is. It’s an investment that when combined with a great product or service will pay off year upon year for the entire life of a business. What I charge varies depending on the specific needs of each client, and I’m happy to provide a quote when I learn more about the design brief.
If you understand how profitable good design can be, I’d love to talk.
Such and such charges less. Can you match them?
No. Design is not a commodity.
“A commodity is anything for which there is demand, but which is supplied without qualitative differentiation across a market. In other words, copper is copper. Rice is rice. Stereos, on the other hand, have many levels of quality. And, the better a stereo is, the more it will cost.”
— WIKIPEDIA
Just as a client chooses the designer, the designer also chooses the client. It’s up to the designer to work with those who value the service provided. My satisfied client list is extensive (you can read a few testimonials here).
How long will the project take to complete?
Time frames vary from three weeks to three months or more, with the schedule depending almost entirely on project deliverables.
Can you start right away?
It’s possible, but my focus is always on current clients, and I never accept more than two or three projects at any one time. Get in touch for specifics.
What does the process involve?
Here’s a brief overview of the design process.
What exactly do I receive during the course of the project?
I normally send clients a PDF presentation showing one or two effective brand identity options. The designs are displayed in a variety of formats and contexts to give clients a look at how the identity adapts across different touchpoints.
Can you make my design look similar to this?
That’s easy, but is it really a good idea to “fit in?” It’s more difficult, but ultimately much more rewarding, if the design sets a company apart.
You’re in a different country from me. Will this affect things?
The majority of my clients are from outside the UK, mainly due to my strong search engine rankings. This hasn’t adversely affected any of my design projects, and as much as I enjoy meeting face-to-face, communication via telephone, Skype, and email can often save considerable time.
Can you help with commercial printing?
I’ve dealt with many print companies around the world, and I’m more than happy to offer advice on how to save print costs. Here’s a brief primer: 12 money-saving questions to ask before printing your promotional material. Reader comments beneath the post also contain useful tips.
How do you accept payment?
With most projects I request a 50% downpayment prior to scheduling the work. This is payable by via bank transfer, PayPal, cheque, or with a bank draft in GBP (Great British pounds). Details are included in my invoice, and the remaining 50% is payable upon completion of the project, prior to supply of original artwork.
Will you use current trends for my design?
It’s unfair to have clients returning after a couple of years when their identity is out-of-date. The work I create is intended to last the duration of clients’ businesses — not to look trendy.
Can you recommend other graphic designers?
I’m happy to recommend designers (for identity projects, web projects, or otherwise). I’ll need project specifics before doing so. In the meantime here’s a little side-project featuring some of the world’s most iconic logo designers.
Thank you
Should you have any questions of your own, by all means drop me a message, or if you haven’t already, feel free to browse my graphic design portfolio.
