How I work
How I work
So you would like to know how I work?
First, we need to establish the following:
- What is your purpose for this project?
- Who is the audience?
- What should the tone of voice be?
- What is your budget?
- Have you got deadlines?
My briefing document will ask about your mission and vision, your marketing strategy and your brand needs to avoid misunderstandings and revisions.
The costs
Years of experience in a media agency has give me a strong understanding of project costs, thanks to meticulously tracking hours for all my past projects.
I often work on a fixed-price basis, though sometimes I operate under a "Time and Materials" (T&M) model, charging an hourly rate.
I add 10% project management unless you are a charity.
After the acceptance of the quote, I will issue a 50% commissioning invoice. We then have a final invoice after sign-off and artwork delivery. I am VAT registered.
How long will it take
My schedule is busy but I can always shift things around.
- A long, intricate illustration takes 4-5 hrs
- A short illustration/ icon takes 0.5 - 1 hr
Some of my clients have retainers, a fixed amount of hours per months, so that they have guaranteed access to my schedule.
Ideas and mood board
A mood board is a visual tool that helps define direction, style and vision: sketches, images, colours, types and ideas you brought to me. I LOVE this phase! We then choose a direction and work towards the final product. I will show artwork in situ, on a website or in a poster.
I work in layers so its easy for me to make changes. You can use assets from an illustration separately too. Remember: design is an integrated process and it matters what surroundings you set your illustrations in as this may change the overall message.
The images are vector. You can blow them up to the size of an elephant!
Change of direction
If you have a change of heart, we create a change control. I will have allocated a certain amount of hours to the project; by the time we arrive at 3/4 of the hours, I will ask you how you would like to use the remainder of the hours.
Testing
We must ensure you have time to live with your new illustrations.
Project management and timeline, comms
I have a schedule to ensure we meet the deliverables, the budget and the timelines.
Please supply all resources such as logos, colour palettes and images.
We can communicate via email or use a project management tool like freedcamp or Slack.
Useful to know?
I can advise on audience, engagement, marketing, online presence, branding and storytelling.
I work closely with my collab hub, designers, animators, print designers and copywriters.
Licences: I have the right to ask for a license if you want to use your illustrations on merchandise and in publishing. Most of the time I can keep things simple.
Sign-off
The sign-off brings a project to an end and identifies the next steps.
Delivery
I will create a folder of assets and final artwork, RGB for the web and CMYK for print as requested by your printers or designers. These are always available here at no extra charge, via wetransfer or on a Google Drive.
Our work relationship
I thrive on adding value to your business and I know that illustrations can be a luxury item. But they can tell your brand story in a personal way, bring content to life and add a pinch of humour to your presentation.
I have an office in Brighton and on specific dates, I can also meet you in Zurich (Switzerland).
