I Can’t Afford a Graphic Designer…
Many small business owners may feel that their budget hinders their graphic capabilities, thus viewing the expertise of a designer as an uneeded expenditure. But realize that this is not the case; a solution that is within your budget can be formed. Of course, many small businesses cannot employee a part-time or full-time graphic designer, but all small businesses can develop a relationship with a designer who can provide graphic services for the business’ short or long-term graphic needs.
Why can’t I create my own graphics?
You can. But many business owners don’t have the design sense or technical expertise to effectively initiate and/or build their business’ graphic representation or graphic needs. However, business owners do know what their needs are and any need can be paired with quality and affordable solutions.
How should I prepare?
First, think about your objectives. Next, pair these objectives with the messages that you want to send and the vehicles that would best carry these messages to your audience(s). Think about the image(s) you want to convey and the ways in which you want to present your business. This is what we will talk about upon our first meeting/conversation. Note, it is best to contact me at the beginning stages of a project for assistance with strategizing, planning, or budgeting.
How much will it cost?
My services are competitively and affordably priced. Some services (such as business cards and stationery sets) are based on a flat rate, while others (such as advertisements or media kits) may be based on an hourly rate. The type of service(s), the scope of the project, and the project deadline all factor into the final price. After discussing your needs, I can and will give an estimate for the project.
Why should I do business with you versus another graphic designer?
I don’t have some fancy answer or ploy to answer this question— just a few simple and personal statements. Upon graduating with my design degree in 2007, I decided to focus my graphic design services in small business and entrepreneurship. As an aspiring business owner, I enrolled in (and completed) an MBA program to learn more about business administration and the issues that my future clients face. My studies revealed to me that my long-term career ambition lies in entrepreneurship, and that my short-term interests and passion are in helping small business owners through my graphic design training and talents. Yes, there may be other graphic designers out there with these intentions, but my goal is not to be a design “rock star.” I am sincere in my efforts to serve a) local, small to medium sized business b) small businesses that are owned by African Americans or People of Color, and/or c) small businesses that are
owned by Women.
If you design something for me who owns the work? me or you?
According to U.S. ownership and copyright laws, copyright protection occurs at the time the work is created. The designer retains ownership of all artwork, whether preliminary or final. For example, if you contract with a designer for design a logo (i.e. artwork) for your business, the designer technically owns the logo regardless of the fact that the logo is for your business. The way in which many designers or illustrators, for example, transfer ownership of the artwork (i.e. logo) is by granting exclusive or non-exclusive rights to the cleint. Depending on the project, I will transfer the rights to final ownership of artwork upon full payment of services. The terms of the transfer will be included in the contract/proposal.
