After almost 5 years in the field of design, I have realized that most of the questions and answers are too repetitive and time consuming for both client and designer. So why not to answer those repeatedly asked questions on this page, rather than answering several emails a day individually. But of course, if you don't find your question answered on this page, I would do that individually for you. I am writing this FAQ in the best interest of my clients, myself, and hopefully other designers.
By far, the most common question. By far, the question most dreaded. But it is the most expected and sincere question as well. I have asked it myself.
I often try to draw analogies to other industries in hopes for some compassion from the prospecting client towards the difficulty in answering this question. I don't have a back room where I go and 'find your size' then place a nice little logo/website design in a nice little white bag, along with receipt and give you a big smile and say "here you go". I wish it were that easy.
On the other hand, here are some of the factors involved in my process.
The idea is to capture the essence. Talking with the client on what's best for their business is the most important thing for me. Learning about the market, the demographic and the competitor..
I need to know what colours work for the specified industry. If the client can't supply this information, I will do my best to find out on my own with, often, days of research. So telling you a price right away and without listening to exact nature of your job is always not a good practice, neither for you as a client nor for me as a worker. But it's not that difficult. Once I am clear what needs to be done, you will have the best price for your job...I assure.
What is the client's involvement in the design process?
I thoroughly discuss the project at hand with our client from the beginning and encourage the client to bring in any samples, color combinations/swatches, and ideas they may have. During the design process, the client is asked to approve certain milestones before work continues.
How do I check on the progress of my job during the design process?
The client is kept abreast of the progress of their job through our approval process. I present the project to the client at certain stages, or milestones, and wait for approval before I continue work. I find that this process keeps the client involved and prevents any breakdowns in communication. In between these milestones, the client is all free to call in to get an update.
Who owns the copyright for work Redniitas has done for me?
Copyright is yours upon receipt of final payment. I do, however, reserve the right to use any work for promotional purposes.
Are they all real companies in your porfolio?
Yes. Just because if some of them don't show up in a google search result does not mean they don't exist. I work with local clientele that don't use or need the web as much as someone else may. As I mentioned earlier, I work with a lot of start-ups. Some of them fail, some get auctioned off on ebay and others, like, the the start up that I belong to, are alive and kicking. I should take this time to note that the designs on my portfolio were not necessarily chosen by the client, rather they are what I feel are indicators of my best work. Any other designs, such as fun and experimental, are noted as such. So, if you see something you like, it just might be available. On the other hand, I do have 'forceasted brands for sale'.
What kind of web sites do you produce?
Every kind. I produce websites for small to medium scale businesses and personal websites as well. I believe every business has something unique to offer its customers, so every business needs a unique website. Type of website depends upon the requirements and needs of your business and hence the technology. I design HTML based to Flash based websites. However, personally I don't recommend Flash based sites. For now HTML is still the best choice. Why? Because the search engines don't understand FLASH. A FLASH based site is a blank page for the search engines and it is normal that they will not index it. And you tell me then why having a cool looking costly FLASH based web site that no one can find?
Do you offer site promotion?
No. There are several specialized companies that will do a nice job for you.
What browsers are you optimizing sites for?
I take care for your web site to look perfectly in Internet Explorer 4+ and Firefox 2+. These browsers have 88.51% of all Internet hits, so the others are not crucial. Check out the latest usage share of web browsers on Wikipedia. MS Internet Explorer has about 65.95% all internet hits, so I think it's the most important and I pay it attention first of all.
How will I receive my ready to upload web site?
If the entire size of the web site is under 5Mb (95% of the cases) It will be sent by e-mail as an attached ZIP archive. If your www site is oversized, It will be sent on CD by ordinary mail.
Will you upload my site?
No, and this is for your own good. To upload your site I will need your server (FTP) username and password that must be unacceptable for you. The best decision is to upload the site yourself or use the services of a confidant.
What graphicand design softwares are you working with?
I am running Adobe Design Collection under Windows XP. Adobe Design Collection includes Photoshop CS3, Illustrator, InDesign and Acrobat, plus I use Macromedia Dreamweaver 8. Sometimes I also use off-the-shelf softwares to create desired graphic effects.
What information do you require to prepare my Logo?
What would you like your logo to represent?
Preferred style - corporate, contemporary, elegant etc.
Preferred colors or current corporate colors.
Text only, image only or both.
Do you have a tag line to be included?
Do you require a specific typeface?
Where will your logo be displayed?
It's simple, the more information that you can provide me with ensures that your logo meets all your needs.
Do you design Banner Advertising for use on other web sites?
Client Meeting - This is the start where I listen to your ideas and objectives to understand the nature of your project. Here you tell me what you want and how you want it, in your own words.
Research - Then I do my research of the market, your competitors and other factors involved in design like current trends, color schemes for such projects etc.
Rough Design & Brainstorming -
This is the phase (after the above) where I bounce ideas back and forth with, firstly my right and left brains, then with the client. This is to to develop some sort of direction.
Here's the only moment the client really cares about. All that mumble-jumble above, face it, no one cares. Nothing is more critical than a cool looking logo or website. I keep clients involved in the design so that they can monitor the progress and status of the project. This is where knowledge comes to fruition.
Client Approval - This is where I get the clients feedback and proceed to design the real thing. Probably the second most important part of the entire design process.
Design and Deliver -
After making the changes I present the newly revised designs. This stage is often difficult to quantify since it is a back and forth process and the progress depends on both parties.
Rinse and repeat until it is finalized.
What kind of design services do you provide?
Redniitas Creations' graphic design services are varied and comprehensive. Redniitas designs logos , brochures, illustrations, websites, graphics for web sites, marketing promos, stationery - including business card, letterhead, envelope, mailing label, and presentation folder design, and any other printing your business may require. Check Services for the details.
What types of payment do you accept?
I accept business checks, personal checks, and money orders.
I need something designed yesterday. Can you help me?
I can usually accommodate your rush job depending on how full our production schedule is. To be fair to other clients, if a job already in production is interrupted by a rush job, we reserve the right to add an additional 50% - 100% on top of the normal price.
How will I receive my design project once it is finished?
A finished project is yours upon receipt of final payment. At your request, I will supply the electronic files to you on CD, floppy, or through e-mail. I also keep a copy of your project on file for later updates or should you lose your copy.
What's your experience in the field of design?
Before I decided to work for myself in 2007, I was designing user centered designs with a highly reputable international IT company , for 3.5 years. My work involved web designing, graphic designing and management. There I worked for many prestigious clients from USA and Europe. So my experience ranges : from small to multi-platform web/graphic designs, from small business clients to big Swiss banks, and from India to the Alps of Switzerland and to the eastern shores of Canada.
Why a website or a logo ?
Internet has grown from media-darling to media-monster. Selling online or promoting your business on the Web is a wise and rewarding business move for
every business. In today's internet-savvy world if you own a business, it's always a win-win strategy to brand (logo) your business and go online (website). If you look around, most of the businesses are already available online and soon every business would go the same way. So be there before your competitors do. Here are the few good reasons to go online with your business:
Reach to worldwide customers
Very affordable start-up investment
Low promotion costs
Low staffing/operational expenditures
Simple to automate
Work at own pace (solo marketers)
Easy and inexpensive to test, lowering risk
Quick to generate income.
Easy to measure customer response and effectiveness of advertising
Of course! It is the most powerful web design instrument with HTML sites. Cascading Style Sheets technology offers the opportunity to make complicated layouts without increasing the files size.
Do you offer search engines optimization (SEO)?
No. I am a web designer and I leave the SEO work to the SEO specialists. That way I always stay the designer and can make promises which I can always keep.
What are your preferred output file formats?
I can produce any of the most popular file formats - EPS, PDF, AI, PSD, DCS, TIFF, JPG. I will produce your design project in the format your printing house prefers.
In what format will my logo be supplied to me?
I will always ask you how you will be using your logo before I proceed and supply the correct format for your application. Different mediums require different quality and formats and I will prepare for the correct result.
For the Web - gif, jpeg, png, swf
For Print - tiff, eps, ai, psd, pre-press pdf
Other Mediums - Windows bitmap, pict, pdf, swf and more
What is the difference between a print logo and a web logo?
Print logos require a high resolution to maintain quality and the most common formats are tiff, eps or press quality pdf. Mainly designed in cmyk for four color process printing, these files can be reproduced successfully in print and are usually very large files best sent via CD.
Web logos require a low resolution for viewing on screen and the most common formats are gifs or jpegs. Designed using RGB or specific HEX colors Web logos are small file sizes that can be emailed and should never be used in print as their quality is too poor to reproduce successfully and their color profile is not compatible with pre-press software.
What type of Print Media do you design for?
Redniitas Creations provides a complete print media management service and can prepare your artwork for a variety of general printing and stationery as well as print advertising. Brochures, business cards, letterheads, postcards, product labels and swing tags and more.
So...hfff ! A long list of questions! Wasn't it? Although I tried to answer all of the questions my clients ask me all the time, but if you didn't find your question answered here, I would love to answer it individually for you, contact me.
