frequently asked questions

My expertise lies in crafting compelling and impactful creative and marketing media that bring strategic marketing campaigns to life. With decades of experience collaborating with marketers from various industries, I have honed my skills to excel in the artistic and technical aspects of content creation.

While I deeply understand the importance of a well-thought-out marketing strategy as the foundation for any successful campaign, I have consciously chosen to focus on what I do best – designing the visual elements, producing engaging copy, and developing multimedia assets that resonate with the target audience.

I am dedicated to ensuring that the materials I produce align seamlessly with the overall strategy crafted by my clients or their marketing teams. By collaborating closely with clients and understanding their unique objectives, I can ensure that my  work not only captures their brand essence but also amplifies the impact of their marketing initiatives.

One of the reasons for my success over the years is my ability to work in synergy with marketers, listening to their ideas and translating them into compelling visuals and messages that effectively communicate their brand's story and value proposition. My focus on creativity allows us to offer fresh perspectives and innovative solutions that enhance the overall campaign's effectiveness.

While metrics and intricate marketing strategy might not be my primary domain, I do believe in the power of data-driven decision-making. I actively collaborate with clients to ensure that the creative elements I produce align with the campaign's objectives and messaging, fostering a coherent and consistent brand presence.

The design process typically begins with an initial consultation to understand your needs, goals, and vision for the project. To ensure clarity, I provide a written Creative Brief in an interactive PDF format, which helps outline the project scope and its various components. 

Once we have established the project scope, I move into the design phase. I try to provide initial design options for you to review (if the project is a rush, I may only provide one idea) and customize as needed. The project includes revisions, allowing you to suggest changes until the design meets your expectations.

During the process, I share proofs for your review and approval. Upon approval, I provide the final files you need to send to the printer or upload to the website or social channel.

Note: For a la carte projects, I ask for 1/2 the design fee prior to the beginning of work, which is also used as a design fee in case the client or myself chooses to end the project.

Yes, I intentionally limit the number of clients I take on for several reasons. Firstly, I prioritize quality over quantity, dedicating ample time and attention to each client's projects to deliver high-caliber work consistently. This approach enables me to maintain a superior standard and ensure that my designs resonate with the client's brand and audience.

By having a more manageable client base, I can provide personalized service, understanding the unique needs and preferences of each client deeply. This fosters stronger client relationships as I can be more attentive, responsive, and proactive in addressing their concerns and delivering tailored solutions. 

Moreover, limiting my workload allows me to manage my time effectively, meet deadlines, and avoid burnout, ensuring a sustainable and healthy work-life balance. Embracing this selective approach also grants me the creative freedom to explore innovative ideas and pursue projects that inspire me, leading to more unique and impactful designs. Overall, by carefully choosing my clients, I can achieve both professional success and client satisfaction while maintaining the passion and creativity that drive my work.

Yes, please refer to the Services page for a menu of services and costs.

However, working on retainer agreements holds several key benefits for me as a freelance creative, making it my preferred mode of engagement over a per-project basis. One significant advantage is that I gain a deeper understanding of their businesses, brand identity, and design requirements over time. This intimate knowledge enables me to create designs that align seamlessly with their vision, resulting in more effective and impactful outcomes. The continuity of the retainer relationship facilitates seamless collaboration, encouraging open communication and the ability to adapt swiftly to any evolving needs.

Additionally, opting for retainer contracts allows me to manage my time and resources more efficiently. By having a fixed scope of work and set hours dedicated to each client, I can strike a balance between fulfilling ongoing design needs and taking on other creative opportunities without overstretching myself. This balanced approach ensures that I can maintain a high level of productivity and creativity, delivering exceptional results to all my clients.

To incentivize retainer agreements, I offer a heavily discounted rate. This mutually beneficial incentive encourages clients to commit to a longer-term partnership, and in return, they receive cost savings on my services. The discounted rate, combined with the advantages of consistent collaboration and tailored design solutions, provides a compelling proposition that clients have appreciated.

Moreover, by working on retainer, I can avoid collection issues commonly associated with per-project billing. Since clients pay a fixed fee at regular intervals, there is a reduced risk of payment delays or disputes over project costs. This streamlined payment process allows me to focus on what I do best—creating exceptional designs—rather than worrying about chasing payments or dealing with financial complications.

Certainly, a client can hire me on retainer for a short, temporary period (for example, a client might not have ongoing, consistent media requirements but could seek to address their marketing needs specifically for an upcoming event), but it's essential to keep in mind the nature of the projects involved. While I am open to accommodating shorter-term retainer agreements, it's crucial to acknowledge that certain design projects might require more time and effort to complete satisfactorily. Therefore, if the retainer arrangement is limited to, for example, five hours per week, I will diligently adhere to that agreement and keep the client informed about the time spent on each project.

During the short temporary period, I will prioritize efficiency and productivity to make the most of the allocated five or ten hours per week. This means setting clear priorities and focusing on tasks that are crucial to achieving the client's objectives within the given time frame. Regular communication will be key, as it allows me to keep the client updated on project progress, discuss any adjustments to the retainer agreement, and address any emerging issues promptly.

If, during the course of our short-term retainer, it becomes apparent that additional hours are necessary to deliver the desired results, I will communicate this to the client. At that point, we can reevaluate the arrangement and potentially extend the retainer to accommodate the project's needs. 

As a freelance graphic designer who values open and transparent communication, I have chosen not to require a contract for the retainer agreement for several reasons.

Firstly, flexibility is a crucial aspect of  client relationships. By avoiding the strict formalities of a contract, I can maintain a more adaptable and fluid working arrangement with each client. This approach allows us to focus on the creative aspects of the projects rather than getting caught up in legalities or paperwork.

Secondly, my commitment to delivering exceptional results and building strong client relationships fosters a sense of trust and mutual understanding. While a formal contract can be beneficial in some situations, I believe that trust and clear communication can often serve as the foundation for successful collaborations. This approach has worked well for me in the past, as it encourages open dialogue and ensures that both parties are committed to fulfilling their roles.

Additionally, not requiring a contract streamlines the onboarding process, making it easier and faster for clients to engage my services. It removes unnecessary barriers and bureaucratic hurdles, allowing us to start working on the projects promptly.

Moreover, I am confident in my ability to maintain professionalism and ethical standards without a contract. I always strive to provide clear project scope, expectations, and timelines from the outset, ensuring that clients know what to expect. This transparency helps in establishing a solid understanding of the working relationship, minimizing the need for a formal contractual agreement.

However, while I don't insist on a contract for retainer agreements, I do believe in written documentation to outline the terms and scope of our arrangement. This documentation can take the form of a project proposal or a detailed email exchange, providing a written record of our mutual commitments.

In the rare instance where a client is locked into a five- or ten- or twenty-hour per-week retainer arrangement, and we find ourselves running out of hours before a project is fully completed, I approach the situation with understanding and flexibility. 

While the retainer agreement serves as a framework for our collaboration, I value the client's satisfaction and the successful completion of the project above all else.

My commitment to delivering exceptional design solutions and maintaining a positive client experience guides my actions. If we encounter a situation where additional hours are necessary to finalize the project, I am more than willing to go the extra mile to ensure a successful outcome. In such cases, I prioritize open communication and collaboration with the client to discuss the situation candidly.

Understanding that projects can sometimes require more time than initially estimated, I take into account the circumstances surrounding the need for additional hours. If it's a reasonable and isolated situation, such as unexpected complexities or new project requirements, I am typically lenient and won't strictly charge for the overtime.

I firmly believe in building strong and mutually beneficial relationships with my clients. While the retainer agreement sets a general expectation for the number of hours allocated per week, I don't want my clients to feel limited or constrained by it. Instead, I aim to foster a dynamic working relationship where open discussions about project progress and potential adjustments to the retainer arrangement are encouraged.

It's important to note that while I am reasonable and understanding when it comes to occasional overages in project hours, it is essential to maintain a sense of balance. If consistent overtime becomes an issue or starts to impact the overall efficiency of our collaboration, I may suggest reevaluating the retainer agreement to ensure that both parties are benefiting from the arrangement.

Clients may opt to try out my services for a single a la carte project before committing to a retainer agreement. Choosing to engage in a one-time project allows a potential client to experience the quality of my work firsthand and assess whether my design style and skills align with their specific needs and preferences.

By initiating a trial project, the client can gauge not only the creativity and technical proficiency in my designs but also the level of professionalism, communication, and efficiency in the collaboration process. This trial period acts as an opportunity for them to evaluate if I am the right fit for their ongoing design requirements.

A single project trial allows the client to test the waters without a long-term commitment. They can observe how well we work together, how smoothly the project progresses, and whether the end result meets their expectations. This approach grants them the freedom to make an informed decision before entering into a more extended retainer agreement.

For my part, I approach these trial projects with dedication and focus, treating them as an opportunity to showcase my expertise and demonstrate the value I bring to the table. I prioritize clear communication, understanding the client's vision, and delivering outstanding design solutions to leave a lasting positive impression.

Choosing to try me out for a single project is a testament to the client's prudent approach to business partnerships. It shows that they value not only the quality of the design work but also the compatibility of our working styles and mutual objectives. I fully support this approach and believe that it fosters transparency and trust between myself and the client.

Ultimately, the aim of the trial project is to establish a strong foundation for a potential retainer agreement. If the client is satisfied with the results and finds that our collaboration is productive and rewarding, it often leads to the decision to continue working together on a more long-term basis.

For retainer agreements, I typically ask for payment prior to the beginning of work. I send a link to this website's payment portal to the client for processing at the beginning of each month.

Paying for services at the beginning, rather than the end, of the month establishes commitment from the client, filtering out those who may not be serious about the agreement and ensuring that I can allocate my time and resources efficiently. This also allows me to start working immediately and mitigating the risk of non-payment or late payments during lengthy projects. It also reinforces the value of my services, helps manage client expectations, and contributes to client satisfaction by allowing me to focus on delivering quality work without financial concerns. Think of it in terms of how you pay your cable or phone bill.

Sure. Transitioning to a client's payroll offers numerous benefits for both parties. The shift to an employee status fosters a deeper integration within a client's agency or organization, potentially leading to expanded opportunities and long-term commitment, providing a sense of stability and room for professional growth. 

By adding me to the payroll, a client can consolidate payment processing and reporting. Instead of managing multiple invoices, the client can handle payments through regular payroll procedures, simplifying their financial and administrative processes.

In addition, when I become an employee, the client gains the advantage of having a dedicated resource on their team. This ensures that the client has consistent access, potentially leading to improved efficiency and productivity in their projects. 

As an employee I would also have a commitment in place not to provide services for regional competitors.

I am receptive to discussing a direct employment opportunity if it aligns well with my skills and interests. Throughout my career, most of my positions have been with previous freelance or retainer clients. I always strive to bring significant value to my client relationships, and this commitment has led to offers.