FAQ
I get emails almost every day with questions and I have to send back a basic reply in some cases. This page is a way for me to answer some questions you may have. But if you have a different question relating to logo, web design and brand identity or freelancing in general then please feel free to email me to use the Ask Javier a Question label on the left.
- How much does it cost to work with you?
- What does the investment include?
- If other designers are charging less than you. Can you match them?
- How long will the project take to complete?
- Can you start right away?
- What does the process involve?
- Are you the right designer for my project?
- What exactly do I receive during the course of the project?
- What artwork filetypes do you provide?
- Do you create style guides for your brand identities?
- You’re in a different country from me. Will this affect things?
- Can you help with commercial printing?
- How do you accept payment?
- Will you use current trends for my design?
1. How much does it cost to work with you?
My rates start at $100 (not kidding), from there I need to know your project details, this information is really important to give you the right quote. When you hire me, you are not just paying for a nice logo for your business or for an amazing website, this is just the final result, you are paying for my ideas, style and concepts. You will have high quality design, sometimes you should expect to pay top dollar with other designers. As a client comment to his wife ones “this guy can make stuff like you see on TV”
2. What does the investment include?
Some designers would charge additional fees when you request the source files for your logo, catalog, website or other creative work, I consider this is unfair since you paid for it, and you are the owner of the entire copyrights.
After my work is done and you are happy with the results I will provide you the source files and a letter granting the the right to use the artwork on corporate identity, print advertising, websites or any other works that are intended to have an ongoing, marketing presence.
3. If other designers are charging less than you. Can you match them?
This is modern market, every business has competitors around the world and the creative field is not the exception, some designers could say “YES, I can beat any quote” and when the project is delivered and the results are not what you expected, you will get another common answer too “You get what you paid”.
Before make any decision take your time, compare work quality, skills, rates, from there you are who make the decision and you’ll get the answer when the project is finished and not before, You’ll happy or you’ll be disappointed. The only thing I can tell is my clients always are more than happy with the work and rates I offer. (view testimonials).
4. How long will the project take to complete?
Time frames vary from a week to several months, with the schedule depending almost entirely on project deliverables.
5. Can you start right away?
It’s possible, but my focus is always on current clients, Get in touch for specifics.
6. Do you follow a creative process?
Always, it doesn’t matter what the new challenge is, I start my work sketching out my ideas, following grids, applying graphic concepts, etc. (View my professional logo design process).
7. Are you the right designer for my project?
There is no certification for graphic designers, freelance or otherwise. Judging their work is subjective. So if you’ve narrowed your choice down to a designer, here are some things to check for:
- Portfolio. This is one of the most important thing to measure a designer’s skills and sensibilities by. Do you like the work? Do the pieces communicate successfully? Or are they too busy or too dated?.
- Experience. Ask for a resume, and see what type of companies they’ve worked for, at what capacity (e.g, designer, art director, intern, etc) and for how long. The obvious resume flags are in play!
- Testimonials. Check their online profiles, reviews, and their own website for testimonials or press.
- Skills. Many tend to favor degrees from art and design colleges and four-year universities versus vocational/technical schools. Use your judgment. Remember you want someone who can think creatively, not just someone who can use software. Graphic design is more about communicating ideas than being able to create something gaudy with Photoshop. Also, don’t be discouraged if your candidate doesn’t have a degree at all. It’s all about the work.
- Rate is certainly an issue, especially if you’re a new business looking to keep costs low. This will vary depending on both the designer and how much you have budgeted. It may also depend on your region. Hourly rates can range anywhere from $25/hr for students and interns to $200/hr for seasoned art directors and master Actionscripters. Do they provide a flat fee or an hourly rate? Will they give you a discount in exchange for hiring them for multiple projects? All good questions to ask when talking about rates.
- Time is important. If you’re like most clients of graphic designers, you wanted that logo done last week. Obviously, that’s unreasonable, so be sure to start your search early enough to give your designer time to research, organize, and be creative while still making your deadline. The project timeline is a matter between you and your designer, so make sure to discuss when each phase of the project is due when.
So, you’ve got a project, you’ve found me and you happy with the rates and timelines. What next? Just contact me.
8. What exactly do I receive during the course of the project?
I normally send clients emails showing the process . The designs are displayed in a variety of formats and concepts to give clients a look at how the con will work across all touchpoints.
9. What artwork file types do you provide?
Adobe Illustrator (.ai) or Encapsulated PostScript (.eps) are the main filetypes provided for the brandmark (logo). Such files can be scaled to any size without loss of quality, and with the right software, clients can create any other filetype necessary (.jpg, .png, .gif, etc.). I’m more than happy to cater to valid file requests, as well as answer any questions if clients are unsure.
10. Do you create style guides for your brand identities?
Style guide provision is an option, dependent on client needs.
11. You’re in a different country from me. Will this affect things?
I work with clients form all over the world, France, Spain, Colombia, United States, the distance hasn’t adversely affected any of my design projects, and as much as I enjoy meeting face-to-face, communication via telephone, Skype, and email can often save considerable time.
12. Can you help with commercial printing?
I’ve dealt with many print companies around the world, and I’m more than happy to offer advice on how to save print costs.
13. How do you accept payment?
With most projects I request a 50% downpayment prior to scheduling the work. This is payable by via bank transfer, PayPal, checks. Details are included in my invoice, and the remaining 50% is payable upon completion of the project, prior to supply of original artwork.
14.Will you use current trends for my design?
It’s unfair to have clients returning after a couple of years when their identity is out-of-date. The work I create is intended to last the duration of clients’ businesses — not to look trendy.