Graphic Specialist, Illustrator, & Cartoonist

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. *Ristow Studio is not an advertising agency, but pretty much! My small networking team of experts cover the whole creative and technical spectrum!

“CONCEPT TO COMPLETION!"

#1 Traditional and Digital Illustration for print, game and web media.
#2 Logo Design Expertise & Branding Specialist.
#3 Cartoons Creation and Character Development. Almost a completely different realm and skill-set than a professional Illustrator.

THE NEED FOR ILLUSTRATION & CARTOON’S

• There are so many types of cartoon styles and reasons to utilize them everywhere! The market for talented artist’s is huge, but what makes them a -"True Professional Illustrator” is a divers skill-set, experienced with design software, and understanding of file formats for out-put and reproduction. Creativity is just an additional bonus!!!
“Good” Artwork is needed for a ton of marketing and advertising needs.
• Instruction and description manuals
• Presentation purposes
• Product promotion
• Apparel, Label, and Package design
• Advertising!

CUTTING_EDGE LOGO & BRANDING DESIGN

• As a very creative individual, I began to combine my design talents with artistic skills and experience. I quickly discovered I could continuously deliver “Strength in a Powerful Design and Rememberable Graphic!

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

A. Many talented artist’s out there truly do great artwork. However, the art delivered to you boil’s down to the type of file formats you need now & for the future! Without full understanding of the color process; (CMYK or PMS) knowledge of vector vs. bitmap, resolution differences for print or web media etc. THEY NEED TO KNOW what these files are? LPI, DPI, PSD, EPS, PDF, JPEG, or Gif … Will the art you receive pixellate when enlarged? -or blur when its reduced? What about fonts? There's true type, outlined, and post script! The artist you hire may have extreme talent! However; if their not fully knowledgeable about this process I’ve exclaimed; please spend a bit more seeking for another artist! You might have to pay a bit more in the beginning, but a true “professional” artist/designer should understand all this! Please be sure you hire the right professional! D. Ristow Ristow

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. No secrets, but like all professions; there are many stages, and strategic/creative steps to process and meet all my customers high expectations. The stages before the final presentation is the architecture; the rough game plan needed to deliver the best. My customers take part in all the stages of the creative process! An architect wouldn't have a construction crew build without a "blue-print" to refer to. Right?"

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. * Please take my suggestions seriously! I have nothing to loose by educating you on the process of ending up a satisfied customer. Me being an open and honest professional who know the business in this industry!

ASK!

• College Education & Years of experience.
• Request to view samples. "Website or Portfolio” are fine. Qualifications, and references preferred.
• “Be Sure!" to ask about the artist’s “knowledge" of file format’s and output for both print and/or web media. You should expect both! (If the artist doesn’t have a "full understanding" of *resolution, *vector vs. bitmap images, *or color formats-CMYK or RGB files. *RUN-DON’T HIRE! (You will end up disappointed almost every time!)
• How the final designs be provided/delivered for you. (CD, Prints, or Files transferred over the internet?)
• Time frame in which the design will be completed. (Consider time for revisions, new request’s and/or changes by you.) Will you be charged for them?
• What is the artist’s price rates? (Paid hourly or by the project) Is the a starting fee, or a cost up front?

*Be expected to pay some compensation for the Designer/Artist to begin your project.
#1: It is just “Good” business! (It’s only fair to respect & compensate the designer for the time he/she will put into beginning your project.
#2: The artist will feel more secure and trust doing business with you. Lack of trust from the start isn’t good!
#3: You will receive/earn further effort into the quality of thumbnails & rough drafts from the beginning. (Be sure to get those. The rough’s are the “Architecture” -Blue print’s/for the final artwork. (Artist’s- not mind readers!)
#4: The Designer will have further respect for you; and being serious about your design and requests.
#5 The Artist will feel comforted that you are an honest & fair business professional/person.
#6: Who owns the rights? The artist alway’s does unless the work is sign off on a written agreement!

*Please Note: (TRUST ME!) A client who pay’s will alway’s be a priority over a client/person who doesn’t pay!) That is why you need to be “certain" and comfortable with the Artist you hire! Also expect a little uncertainty/anxiety hiring your first designer working on your 1st project together; especially if the artist has less than 5 years experience and doesn’t know you either. It will usually be okay if you are clear and ask the questions I’ve taken the time time to write!
-or just hire me!!! I will deliver!

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I obtain a traditional skills, cutting edge creativity, and years of experience within the creative industry! My reputation is built on the foundation to succeed and impress the target audience and gain the attention you deserve as a professional or a business!

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

A. Often times my portfolio sells itself. Customers see the final artwork and get impressed, but don't have a clue on how much work is put into it. I get this alot, "It won't take you long just draw it up real quick." It is not their fault, but even the creativity itself should be a charge. Especially if the customer doesn't have a clue what they are looking for. Even organizing all the files in the end; to prepare a final CD, can take up to a few hours.

First payments to start a project can be like pulling teeth sometimes. It get's frustrating when the new client see's your excessive talent, but still; for some reason they wonder if I'm capable of doing "There's though." You can only sell yourself so much. If a starting payment is not provided, I no longer take on the projects. It usually means that there will be trouble ahead. Starting a new business relationship with a lack of trust is not a way to begin. People; it "always" takes some time to even make the slightest change. These are a few of the reasons why I have put so much effort into my websites. I will Include "step by step" visual examples on what it takes to create a logo, revising and/or simply adding text; etc.
This way I no longer will have to explain an extra charge if need be. I will have a button they can refer to. One last thing is a bit "nail biting." try not to call your designer the day before you need your artwork. It get's tiresome to keep a repeating customer happy, if you have to tell them no. It is just good business to expect a "rush" charge if you ask for a design change at the last minute!

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. "Don do you do Characiturs of people? "No!" skewed portraits are the only thing I won't do. If a person had a giant nose, or super tiny ears- who am to play God and intensify their features they gotta live with? "Ha, I won't!" After all it God's mistakes and it's not me going to bring more attention to them! HA! "Not Me!" -"YIKES!"