FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Pricing is simple once you work out the estimated hours for each stage of a project. The quote is provided in basically two stages and the client pays at the end of each stage. They sign off for approval. If you are working long distance with the use of DropBox for the client to view the art. Then they signing off is done by documentation of a PDF file sent via Internet. You try to keep the pricing system as simple as straight forward as you can. You do need to know from the beginning what you client's budget is to begin with. Then you see if you can provide them the artwork needed within this budget. Sometimes the hours go over like in the "Heart & Soul" and you just right that off. If it is a really big project then you have to be really careful of stating how many rough comps you will provide, how many final comps you will provide and how many final text changes you will provide. Once you state that in your quote and contract than any other changes after that go into "Authors Alterations". You then can charge the client more after that if they have exceeded the amount of changes you have stated. Authors Alterations are then charged by the hour. Both you and the client have to be aware of how many comps and final text changes you are making. This needs to be capped other wise it could go on for a long period of time where you are making excessive amount of changes. If you have a product line with a lot of SKU (different product items) with text on the package design you need to make sure in the beginning that you clearly state how many image and text changes you will make to the new or redesign of the product line.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I do a lot of on line research pertaining to "sustainability" in the package design and print industry. I receive "Beauty" magazine that is all about package design in the personal care division. I'm looking at taking a couple of course at Austin Community College in Texas for education in the HTML, CSS web design and animation.
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
I love ART! My undergraduate degree is a BA in Studio Art with a concentration in Printmaking. My goal was to go to graduate school and get a MFA in Studio Art; Printmaking so I could teach College level. I started my graduate studies at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY in the Studio Art. After see all the different types of programs that Pratt offered I transferred into the Graphic Design program and my concentration was Package Design. I earned my MS in Package Design from Pratt in 1984. I have been in the Graphic Design Industry and also and Educator since that time.