What does the process look like?

Here’s How to Get Started

If you are unsure if we are a good fit for each other or just have questions for me, book a FREE discovery call with me.

If you are ready to discuss your project, please read through my terms and conditions. After that, I need to gather some details regarding your project. If you require a logo and/or branding, or a website, you will need to complete a questionnaire that I can email to you.

If you’re looking for other graphic design services or collateral, I will need to know all about your business and your expectations in order to create a well-thought-out design which is unique for your business and attractive to your dream clients.

After I receive your questionnaire answers I will review and contact you to book a project brief call.

I can then provide a proposal, and an estimated start date for your project. To secure this date I require a deposit (determined in the agreement). Most projects can be kicked off within 1–2 weeks, dependent upon my workload at the time.

Your Homework

Yes, unfortunately you will have to participate — I’m good — but I don’t have a Magic 8 Ball that tells me who your business is. You know your business better than anyone. It’s time to do a little digging to really nail down your core values, your vision for your business, what is unique about it, and who you most want to be working with. If you do not have clarity on those things then that is where we need to begin.

For logo and branding work it is important for me to understand how you see your brand. An easy way to do this is for you to pull together a Pinterest board — a collection of visuals that helps me get a sense of your unique visual style preferences so I can more quickly tailor your brand to you. If you don’t have a Pinterest account, don’t worry I will help you.

I also have several other discovery exercises we can do, including exploring resonance with your ideal clients, depending on whether you choose to do a deep dive brand package or a starter level package.

 

Concept Design

After we have completed our discovery phase you will receive a creative brief to approve. Once that is approved I will take your project to the drawing board and develop brand boards (only for branding work) and concept work. I will schedule a review in person, via Zoom/Facetime or on the phone. I will email you low resolution PDFs for discussion and feedback.

If we’re doing website I will begin by providing a sitemap for you to approve the content flow, then a PDF proof of your homepage for design “look and feel” approval before building the site. Once the website building commences I will send you a link to the development site at certain milestones so you can make suggestions during the process.

Project completion

Once revisions are completed and approved by you, your design is finalized. The remaining project balance is due before final files are supplied. I will provide your final files via email or Dropbox. If you’d like me to coordinate printing for you, I require the total printing costs upfront before I send the files to the printers. For websites I will coordinate the site going live. You will be responsible for all costs associated with domain name registration and website hosting, but I can facilitate that setup for you. My preferred hosting supplier is Hostgator.

Timeline

I will book your project in to my schedule and inform you of the commencement date as soon as I receive your signed proposal and deposit listed there. Timeframes are dependent on project scope and how full my current schedule is. I will do my best to provide accurate milestone dates, and promise to keep good communication with you for any changes or adjustments that come up unforeseen.

Please be aware that true creativity takes time. If you have any further queries please contact me.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can we chat?

Absolutely! Please contact me via email, text or phone and we can arrange a mutually convenient time for a call. To keep my creativity flowing, I work with my phone on silent, so please don’t be put off if you receive my voicemail.

Can you facilitate the printing too?


Yes. I have some excellent industry contacts who I regularly work with. If you would prefer, I can work with your local printer and follow their design guidelines, or supply you with the finished print-ready files to forward on to them.

What are your payment terms?


I require a non-refundable deposit (listed in your contract) in order to book a space in my schedule for your design creation. The remaining balance is to be paid before final artwork is sent to you or sent to print. I accept payments via check or credit card. Payment link will be in your invoice.

Can you do free work for my charity?


I do support a selection of charities. My time available to donate to is limited, but I do offer discounts to small-scale nonprofits.

What if I don’t like your design?


I always work to my highest standards. It is important that clients and I have clarity and agree on deadlines, brief and budget provided. Sometimes I hit the nail on the head first time, sometimes it can take some revisions, but I always ensure that my clients walk away satisfied.

 

What is a responsive website, and how do you build them?


A responsive website automatically adapts and changes to fit the device you’re reading it on. This means that the website will be viewable from any device, whether you are viewing it on a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or mobile phone. Google now gives responsive websites priority on their search engines over non-responsive sites. All of the websites I build are mobile friendly and responsive.

What is CMS?


CMS stands for Content Management System. CMS websites allow clients to add and edit their own website pages through a personal login area. I design and build my websites using the WordPress platform, with DIVI builder. This is a visual builder that involves less coding so it gives clients the flexibility to update and change the content of their own pages when required. Working with any website to make updates can be challenging if you are not a web designer, so I am happy to create a plan to do the updates for you.

What is SEO?


SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization and it is the process of getting search engines such as Google to find your website and rank it accordingly. The higher you are ranked in Google, potentially the more traffic and customers you should receive. There are no guarantees of first page listings and high rankings because there are many variables and ever-changing targets to meet in the online digital world. But there are ways in which you can optimize your website so that it’s more attractive to search engines. When I build websites I add SEO information to them so that Google indexes it correctly and search engines pick the site up.