Design info

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My design goal is simple. I want to put something together for my clients that is going to fit their needs. Good graphic design conveys messages strongly and grabs viewer's attention, and I work with my clients to find the correct visual balance in order to help their project succeed.

When working on single page designs like posters, postcards, and advertisments, it is vital that the information is presented clearly and in an eye catching manner. These types of items need to not only attract attention, but hold attention. They also must tell their story in a clear and concise manner. The best designs call from across a room, provide information that is easy to read and understand, and keep the viewer's eyes from wandering off the page.

This of course isn't as easy as it sounds, but over my nearly 20 years of design experience, I've learned many tricks to getting information noticed.

Process

The first step in any design is defining the specifications of your project, whether it be a poster, postcard, brochure, website... or whatever you are looking for. I will work with you to define your goals for the project and will present some ideas for accomplishing the final result.

It's best if you can show me some similar designs that you like the look of, so I can get an idea of your tastes. These can be ads, other posters, images, a website, or anything else that has a look you like. If there is a specific image that you want to use in the design, make sure that you have the rights to use the image.

Content comes next. Titles of shows for posters, text for brochures, dates and times of events. These will all be elements of your final design, so think about all the text that will need to go on the piece. Don't worry about the order or presentation at this stage, just provide a list of content. Don't forget about image captions, sponsor info, etc.

Using the content and information you provide, I'll put together a first draft of the design for you to have a look at. If you like it, we proceed to finalize and proof the design, if you don't like it, we simply start over. I try not to get attached to my designs, since the final project has to fit your needs.

Printing 

When designing a printed piece, finding a printer can be challenging. I have worked with several local printers, as well as some of the online companies that specialize in inexpensive color printing of items like postcards, posters, and brochures. I will prepare the final files to send to the printer in a format compatible with their specific process. One of my favorite printers is NitroPrint in Portland, OR. They have great prices and fast turnaround.

Websites

Websites are generally more time intensive than printed pieces. I can work with you to decide on a webhost (if you don't already have one) and help you to get a domain name set up, and site published. There are several content mangement systems available that make editing the content of websites very easy, but customizing the design of these types of sites can take some time.

I am well versed in HTML and CSS, and have a working knowledge of PHP, ASP, and databases. No matter what type of site you are looking for, I can help you achieve your goals.

Rates

My standard design rate is $65 per hour, and I do offer discounts to non-profits. Timelines for different jobs vary. Single page designs generally take a minimum of 5 hours from concept to final product. If you need the same design for multiple pieces (posters, postcards, advertisements, and/or web graphics), adjusting the size of the design can be done fairly quickly. Multiple page designs like brochures and programs generally take a minimum of 10 hours. Websites can take 5 hours or more, depending on how complex of a site you need.

Of course, all these timelines will be determined by your specific needs. Please contact me for a quote - quotes are free and there is no obligation.