Questions About Graphic Design... and Me
When you're looking to hire a freelance designer, some common questions come up. Here are my answers to these frequently asked questions...
What is the cost of a freelance graphic designer per hour?
Freelance graphic design hourly rates vary based on experience. And experience is not only the years of working as a graphic design professional, but also the breadth of industry experience and design skills. Designers just starting out typically earn an hourly rate of $20 - $40 per hour while seasoned designers earn rates upwards of $100 per hour. Designers with a higher rate typically produce a more refined finished product because of the years, if not decades, of experience as well as familiarity with an array of industries. The designers with a higher rate also tend to deliver assets with less time spent to produce them, which is many times comparable to the lower rate (but more time invested) designers.
My rates are mid-ranged based on my 28+ years as a design professional, knowledge of several industries, and large portfolio of design skills.
Freelance graphic design hourly rates vary based on experience. And experience is not only the years of working as a graphic design professional, but also the breadth of industry experience and design skills. Designers just starting out typically earn an hourly rate of $20 - $40 per hour while seasoned designers earn rates upwards of $100 per hour. Designers with a higher rate typically produce a more refined finished product because of the years, if not decades, of experience as well as familiarity with an array of industries. The designers with a higher rate also tend to deliver assets with less time spent to produce them, which is many times comparable to the lower rate (but more time invested) designers.
My rates are mid-ranged based on my 28+ years as a design professional, knowledge of several industries, and large portfolio of design skills.
How does the freelance graphic design process work?
Every project is a bit different. But, for the most part, here's what you can expect from the design process:
Every project is a bit different. But, for the most part, here's what you can expect from the design process:
- Define Goals, Objectives, and Deliverables: Chances are you have a clear reason why you want to get a design project completed. Most of the time you're looking to increase sales or leads. Other times you may just want to increase awareness of your brand. Either way, we'll start out with a conversation about what you're looking to accomplish. Deliverables are specified as what specific assets (i.e. logo, flyer, email layout, website, etc.) are to be completed during the project.
- Proposal: Once the scope of the project is set, I'll submit a proposal to you covering the costs and other contractual items. Once the proposal is signed by both of us, it's time to get started! With all of my returning clients, this step is way less formal ... it's usually an email outlining the deliverables and the associated costs.
- Research: I like to start out with some research of your competition to get a better understanding of how we can differentiate your brand from theirs.
- Initial Concepts: Based on our conversation and research, the initial concepts of the deliverables are created. Typically, this is anywhere from 3 - 5 iterations of each deliverable. Those initial concepts are then delivered to you (typically via email) for your review.
- Refinement: Based on your feedback of the initial concepts, alterations and edits are made to the deliverables. Most of the time the refinement part of the process includes a few rounds of iterations. This continues until all deliverables meet your needs.
- Final Files: Final production files are then delivered to you. Typically this is done via a file sharing service like Dropbox or WeTransfer. Source files are delivered to you upon request.
Are you good with deadlines?
If I don't have what you need to you before your deadline, I consider it late. I'm always very upfront with my timing estimates so you can plan accordingly.
If I don't have what you need to you before your deadline, I consider it late. I'm always very upfront with my timing estimates so you can plan accordingly.
What kind of industry experience do you have?
Over the decades I've been involved with projects in a wide variety of industries. Here are a few:
Over the decades I've been involved with projects in a wide variety of industries. Here are a few:
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What kind of things can you do?
I've done a bit of just about everything over the years when it comes to design and marketing. Here's a list of graphic design services that I have experience with ...
I've done a bit of just about everything over the years when it comes to design and marketing. Here's a list of graphic design services that I have experience with ...
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Branding & Identity
Print Design
Video Production
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Web Design
Digital Design
Packaging Design
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Experiential Design
Illustration
Publishing
Other Services
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What's your technical expertise?
Here are a few tools of the trade that I have experience with ...
Here are a few tools of the trade that I have experience with ...
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Design Software
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Website Builders
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Email Software
Presentation Software
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