Graphic and Web Design

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Have a good idea of what it is you need. Have all files necessary for your project ready such as any images, your logo, copy, etc.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Be prepared and make sure you have all information regarding your project such as, of course, what the project is (logo, business card, post card, package, t-shirt design, etc.), what colors, size you want (if it's a post card, flier, etc.), have your logo in vector format (if your project will require adding your logo), etc.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. Designing visual elements such as, business cards, ads, post cards, handouts, PowerPoint presentations, etc., to help a company or individual enhance their business and/or to get their name out there.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. How long will it take? It depends on the project and if I have anything else going on.

How much will it cost? Every project is different. I charge per project. Once I have all the information regarding your project, I can then give you an estimate of what it will cost.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. Graphic Design and Web Design are two different things. Graphic Designers do work for print (magazines, ads, books, fliers, handouts, etc.) and Web Designers code (HTML, CSS, PHP, etc.).

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I used to draw ever since grade school. But, I never thought of any form of design back then as a job.

Q. What are your most common types of jobs?

A. Freelancing, working at an ad agency or in-house.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. I am a graphic designer for print. I read and buy design/computer books, read through blogs and chime in on design forums such as on LinkedIn.

While I have some basic HTML/CSS knowledge and I've gotten to use it a bit in past jobs, I'm not (yet) really a web designer. So, I'm going back to school to take web design classes.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. For web design, HTML5 & CSS3.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. I have a contract that must be signed before a project is started. Also, half of the payment is due upfront before project is started.

The contract will state client info, project description, how client will receive their project (JPEG, TIFF or PDF), how many revision are included (example: 2 or 3), what the cost is after the first 2 or 3 rounds of revisions, cost of project, payment schedule, cancellation fee, ownership of artwork, proofing of final project, confidentiality, etc.

An "Artwork Approval" form must be signed when project had been finalzied by the client to make sure there are no spelling errors, all information is correct, etc.

What's left of the payment must be paid before final project is handed over to client.

If client wants to purchase the native files (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign), that would be a separate cost.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. Besides just having knowledge in Graphic Design, get knowledge in Web Design (or vice versa) too. Take classes, buy and read graphic/web design books and look online. Print out the information.

There are many great design books to check out at the library or to buy at your local bookstores. Also, there are some great design blogs online.