Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does this work?
A: You contact us for a free consultation...
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We get an idea of the scope of your needs, and quote you some ballpark estimates.
Then, when you're ready, we send a contract that includes pricing, deliverables, details of copyright, and a timeline with dates of delivery and payments due.
After a contract is signed and a deposit received (25% - 33% depending on the size of the project), we begin work. We send you regular updates and samples of the work in progress. Upon final payment, we deliver the media-ready files, either on CD or to the server of your choice. We also include a style guide, which outlines the specs of the work (typefaces, relative scaling, font customization, color matches, illustration) for your future vendors (printers, advertising partners, other divisions). This ensures that standards are maintained over time and the design integrity is maintained.
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Q: What if I don't like it?
A: We guarantee you will...
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How can we be so sure? Right from the start, we set up a section of our site devoted to your project where we post links to work in progress. This gives you (and anyone else you wish to include) 24/7 access to the work as it's being produced, from sketch to digitization and finally encoding. We also send you email updates. This translates into fewer surprises at the end. You are free to pull the plug at any time, and you will only pay for what has been completed to that point.
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Q: How much will it cost me?
A: That rather depends on you...
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We are a custom one-stop design shop. Every client's needs are different, so we have no idea until we talk to you. Expect to spend more on initial marketing such as identity, print collateral or a website, than in subsequent years. There is no magic formula for an initial marketing budget, however a general guide is to expect to pay 20 percent of your target revenue. A fun brand identity executed professionally pays for itself many times over. It does not require the same amount of marketing over time as a more generic corporate identity. This is because emotionally-engaged customers tend to enthusiastically talk about a brand with their social networks. This kind of word-of-mouth publicity is the most desirable, as it will saves a fortune in advertising.
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Q: Will I own the work?
A: Yes, once it's paid in full...
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, you will be granted an "all rights reserved" copyright to the individual elements of of your brand identity. We retain the right to include it in our marketing materials, which essentially amounts to free advertising for you. Any outside illustration/photography that is commissioned will be negotiated for you at whatever copyright level you require. For example, an illustration element of a logo would be an "all rights" copyright across all media for an unlimited amount of time. Whereas a series of photos for a campaign may only be needed exclusively for a year in a specific regional market, and would therefore cost less. Code is never included in copyright transfer, as most of it is in the public domain (open source). This is a good thing, as it is more likely to be widely used and supported.
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Q: Do you work with small business?
A: We work with any sized business...
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Most of our clients are mid-sized companies, many with "inc." after their name. But don't let that stop you. If you're ready to move to the next level, we're happy to help.
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Q: Do you offer other services?
A: Yes! We are a one-stop design shop, ...
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so we also provide brand management services. A brand manager works to maintain a consistent, cohesive brand identity over time. In practice, this entails acting as your vendor coordinator (e.g. coordinating with marketing consultants, printers, trade show organizers, sign makers, promotional item manufacturers); supervising press-checks for printed materials to trouble-shoot the issues that invariably arise; proofing ads and approving final color matches. We can also provide regular reports on your website's metrics. This is our world. We know it well. Hiring us will save you money and a lot of unnecessary stress because we won't make the common costly mistakes that a novice might.
Design Analysis: if you need help with an existing site/identity/logo, we are happy to analyze what's not working and why, and to suggest the best solutions for your budget and time-frame.
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Q: Where are you located?
A: As of 2009, our headquarters are in ...
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Montreal, Canada. However, because we were based in the Boston, Massachusetts area for about 5 years and Burlington, Vermont for another 7 years, most of our clients are in the New England area. All fees for US clients are in US dollars, and these contracts are based on US law. All fees for Canadian clients are in CAD dollars, and these contracts are based on Canadian law. We are happy travel to meet with clients as needed.
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