Some frequently asked questions for you to mull over...
What do you charge for your graphic design services?
Prices depend on many variants, but you can be sure you are getting quality in value for your design project. Design jobs are charged by the hour. Typical graphic design projects are $60/hr. For instance, you may need a logo design with particular details that provide complete branding of who and what your business entails. This doesn’t happen overnight and it’s a process that takes research and some crazy creative juices! We usually give a couple of variants of a design idea, and you get to decide if you like them or not. If you do not like what we provide, we will give you other ideas, at no cost, until you are satisfied. Once we come to a design you like, we continue the process of getting to the finished project
How does your logo design process work?
We begin by discussing the client’s ideas, target market, and uses for their logo. We then ask for samples of existing logos that the client likes or dislikes to get an idea of their taste. Sometimes the client already has a design concept in mind. A lot of the time, they have no idea what they want. Either way, we make sure we collect enough information before we begin work. Our logo design service is very straight forward. If you would need to see more concepts after our initial three ideas are presented, we will make sure you are satisfied before we continue with the project.
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Is the artwork for my logo something from Microsoft clipart?
NO—NOT—NEVER!
We create and draw artwork from creative inspiration and your design suggestions.
How will I receive my design project once it is finished?
A finished project is yours upon receipt of final payment. At your request, we will supply the electronic files to you on CD, Dropbox, or through e-mail. We also keep a copy of your project on file for later updates or should you lose your copy.
Do I get a vector file of my logo after it is finished?
YOU BETCHA! You get EPS (vector), jpeg, png, and a word file that works like clipart. Our logo design can be used to complete stationery and brand marketing – including business card, letterhead, envelopes, brochure design, websites, graphics for web sites, direct mail design, email marketing, mailing labels, presentation folders, (yada, yada) and any other designs your business may require.
What is the client's involvement in the design process?
We listen to our you from the start. We encourage you to offer any samples, color combinations/swatches, and ideas you may have to help us get an idea of style before starting to work with you. During the design process, we may be ask you to approve certain colors and fonts before work continues. Once the design project is ready for print we will submit a final proof for the your approval before submitting to production. Once a job is in production, the job cannot be cancelled. At the conclusion of a project, you can request the artwork in various formats if payment was made for design services.
I need something designed yesterday...can you help me?
We can usually accommodate your rush job depending on how full our production schedule is however, a rush fee may be added. Contact us to find out.
Do you do small projects?
Yes! We are happy to work on small projects; anything from minor edits to a Web site to altering a graphic or logo. Smaller projects are often hourly rate. Contact us to discuss your small project.
Will you do a free mock up design?
That’s a no. We DON’T do spec work for free, unfortunately. You are welcome to take a look at our portfolio, though, to make sure our style and capabilities are right for your project!
How long will it take? What happens if we go over time?
When we give our estimates on how long any given project will take, we always over-estimate. This way there is no disappointment if we end up taking extra time, because we already factored it in, and if we get done sooner you will get a pleasant surprise. You can be confident that we will get the work done in the time we bid.
Seriously, how long?
Typically, a brand identity project can take anywhere from 3-6 weeks from initial meetings to a first brand identity presentation. After revisions, edits and tweaks, you may be looking at another 2-3 weeks depending on the changes for another presentation. Once you have selected an official brand design, it may take an additional week to finalize your logo into a brand identity style guide for the future of your business, upon your request.
Every project is different. Every client is different. WE can never know an exact time span until we figure out what the you want and need. We will always give you an over-estimate, with your quote.
What is a brand identity style guide?
Brand guidelines, also known as a brand style guide, govern the composition, design, and general look-and-feel of a company's branding. Brand guidelines can dictate the content of a logo, blog, website, advertisement, and similar marketing collateral.
Who owns the actual design?
As is industry standard, we retain ownership of our designs and reserve the right to use them in our portfolios (which is totally normal). As the purchaser, you will have exclusive, unlimited use and reproduction license on the designs we create for you. This means that YES, you own your logo and you can do whatever you would like to do with the files.
How much is a logo design and brand identity project, usually?
There is no one answer to this question but we will try to answer it to the best of our company’s ability. Some smaller projects range from $500-$1,000 (this may be logo only with a limited amount of revisions) while some other projects may range from $3,000-$8000. Some of our larger projects may include multiple styles of brand concepts which is what most companies want to see. If you are looking for a local freelance graphic designer off craigslist, you might find someone for less, but beware of the response rate, dependability and experience from these individuals.
Do we design custom character illustrations?
Character illustrations are one of the most in depth logo design and brand identity projects we get involved with. To answer your question, YES, we do character illustrations. Character Illustration brand design projects are about 5 times as involved as a typical graphic design (logo) project. If you are looking to get a custom character illustration, expect to pay a bit more
What does our Satisfaction Guarantee mean?
At Tricycle Design, we guarantee that you will be thrilled with the final product we provide you because there are a set amount of revisions. We have never had this happen but if from some odd reason you ask for 50 logo designs, we might need to set another meeting and figure out where your mind is heading. That means that if for some reason you are not satisfied, we will go back and fix it until you 100% happy. Simple as that!
Do you provide pro-bono work or discounted rates?
To maintain universal professionalism, Future Primitive Graphics does not offer “discounted rates”. However, one (maybe two) pro-bono projects may be accepted per year. There are certain criteria that need to be met in order to determine whether or not a project or organization qualifies for pro-bono work. Being part of these special projects can be very rewarding. However, honoring all requests is not possible. Please contact us for more info on pro-bono projects.
Can I really submit my project and work with you, completely over the internet?
Yes, there are no geographic obstacles to working together, thanks to the Internet and telecommunications. Your requirements can be submitted by email or messenger. We will also be able to talk on the phone, once we establish a business relationship. Once we have agreed on your needs, the provided information is used to create your designs. Intermediate design concepts and revisions are emailed to you for your review, comments and approval. Once your design is completed, final files are either posted in Dropbox or MediaFire for your download, uploaded to you or your printer or sent to you via CD.
Do you do printing?
No, we do not provide printing services directly. We can recommend reputable online and local printers at your request. Because our clients are located throughout the U.S, it is far more expedient for proofing and more cost-effective and faster for shipping if you deal with a local printer. We can act as an intermediary with your printer, or simply provide you with the final files to take to your printer. Printing is typically not included in any of our project quotations.
How can I make payments to you?
We accept and prefer secure online payments using your credit card, debit card, or your bank account via PayPal.com. Opening an account is fast, easy, and FREE.We also accept business checks, personal checks, and money orders.
Do I need to send a deposit for the work?
We typically don't require any deposit from you in advance. After half the job is completed (typically when the first concepts are presented and the initial feedback has been given), we get half of sum of agreed cost, with the remaining half of the fees payable upon delivery of the final files. This condition is waived for repeat clients, requiring only one payment upon project completion. Other billing arrangements are possible upon agreement by both parties.
What if I am not satisfied with my final product?
We believe in your complete satisfaction. We will continue to work with you to refine your design until you are completely happy; we offer revisions on your design project within the confines set out in the original design brief. However, if we collaborate on a project, and in the end we do not arrive at a result with which you are perfectly satisfied, you only pay for the initial consult agreement and agree to accept payment for any purchased services or products (e.g. stock photography, printing, etc.). The copyrights to your design project remain with Tricycle Design, while you maintain the copyright over your company or product names used in the designs. What this means is that we could theoretically use or resell the design (the look of a particular brochure for example) to another client. You will also be asked to sign and warrant that you will not use any creative or interim designs created or presented to you as part of our design process together.
Can a small company afford your services?
Many of our clients are small companies, non-profit organizations and individuals. By hiring us for their design projects, they save themselves time and frustration, and save the expense of keeping someone on staff to do design tasks. We are flexible and can work within any budget constraints you may be facing.
How can I protect my business name?
Generally, businesses, including corporations, protect their trade names by registering their trade name as a service mark or trademark if the trade name also functions as a service mark or trademark. Depending on your state of origin, different laws govern the protection of your business name. Because of the legal complexities involved, we recommend that businesses obtain private counsel to get advice on how to protect a trade name in interstate commerce.