Why do I need to fill out a questionnaire just to contact you about a logo design? Can I just call you?

While I understand your concern, all design projects are unique. I treat every potential project as though it’s the only one on my calendar. There are also many different factors that go into pricing design services, and I need all the details from the questionnaire in order to give the most accurate quote based upon what you are requesting. All design quotes require research and simply cannot be given on the spot.

Having all the details in writing also protects both of us from veering too far off from what was originally requested. This keeps us both on track and focused on the end goal.

Where is your price list for design services?

After receiving all the details from the questionnaire, it would not be fair to quote your design project at the same price as another project that may take me twice the time, or vise versa. It also isn’t fair to the designer to spend twice the amount of time on a design and receive only half the amount of pay. No one likes to work for half the pay. It isn’t fair to you or myself.

As mentioned above, each design opportunity is treated uniquely, and therefore requires a custom quote. There are many techniques and creative outlets that may need to be used to give your design that special touch. It may also require the use of additional professional photography (by me) or stock photography. You can trust that your design will not be like anyone else’s.

*I do not have a plethora of pre-designed templates stored on my computer where I just slap your company name on it and call it done. Yours will be yours only.

In addition, I do have a growing online store where some of my downloadable graphics can be purchased (.SVG for vinyl print, .Ai vector t-shirt graphics, printable signs, etc.). You can also find me on Etsy.

Why are you so much more expensive than the bigger online graphic design services? I can just order a design from Fiverr or some other online design service for much cheaper.

As mentioned above, your design is treated uniquely. You can certainly order a design from any online design service for much cheaper, but keep in mind that what you are getting cannot be compared to the finished design and service you will receive from me. I don’t think there is anything wrong with online design services, as they make for great opportunities for beginner designers to gain lots of experience. We can still be friends if that’s where you choose to buy your design, and there will be no hurt feelings.

I received a design quote from you, so does that mean my design project is scheduled?

Not yet. If you have filled out the questionnaire and received your design quote, you’re almost halfway there. Just like with many other service industries (insurance, contracting, etc.), getting a quote doesn’t mean that you’re covered by insurance or that the contractors will start the job.

Your design project will be scheduled as soon as I receive your non-refundable 50% deposit.

Why non-refundable? When I schedule your design project, this often means that I may have turned down other future design opportunities in order to schedule yours. If you decide to cancel, more than likely, I have already worked several hours on your design (research, drawing and sketching, etc.), and cancelling midway means that all the time I’ve spent on your design thus far was wasted. It would be like getting hired to cut someone’s lawn, and as soon as you cut the front yard, they came outside and asked you to go home without payment in spite of the good job you were doing. You would end up with a lot of half-cut lawns without pay!

Quotes are good for 30 days from the time given. As part of the questionnaire, you are asked for a timeline of when your design project should be completed; therefore, the design completion will be based upon this information, along with scheduling your project on my calendar (which will be discussed with you).

All payments can be made online, in person, or by mail. The project is not on my calendar until I receive a deposit.

I need my design very quickly, like yesterday. Could you do this?

Unfortunately, as in many cases with certain types of design, the artwork is needed as soon as possible. Also, with design, it is imperative that the designer can gather enough research and has had the time to fully think through the project to achieve the desired goal. If my calendar allows for a “rush” project, I would be happy to discuss those details after you have filled out the questionnaire. If I am able to schedule the design, please be aware that a “rush fee” may be added to your design project.

I have a great idea for a logo or t-shirt design. Can you just draw it up on the computer for me so I can have a vector file for printing or screen-printing?

While I could do exactly what you’re asking, it sounds like you don’t need a designer – you need someone who knows how to use Photoshop and Illustrator good enough. Sounds like you already have a design.

When you hire me for design, you are buying my computer skills and creativity – a gift that I have nurtured over many, many years of training and experience. Just like when you hire a lawyer, you are hiring their expertise in government and laws because you do not know what they know, nor do you have the experience they have. If you knew what they knew, you wouldn’t need to hire them, and you would be able to represent yourself in court.

With this in mind, please know that my job is also to make sure that your design fits your market. It is very important that your final design represents who or what you want to attract or represent.

As for setting up files to be screen-print ready: depending upon the original artwork file, this may take a small amount of time, or an infinite amount of time. If you already have a file that needs to be screen-print ready, I cannot insure that the original artwork has been drawn “correctly,” as all designers have their own way of drawing things and layering files in vector format. From experience, when I receive a file that needs to be screen-print ready, 98% of the time, it needs to be completely re-drawn in Adobe Illustrator, OR the spot colors need to be completely re-selected for the correct graphics.

Would you be interested in designing a logo or campaign for my charity event?

While I love being part of the greater good, I have already chosen my outlets for charitable work and charitable giving.