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Image by OhTilly

FAQ

What kind of graphic design services do you offer?

  • multi page documents

    • annual reports

    • manuals

    • books

    • publications

 

  • marketing/business material

    • brochures

    • newsletters

    • business cards

    • advertising

    • business postcards

    • Powerpoint presentations

 

  • signage/posters

    • trade show booths

    • banners

    • posters 

 

  • social media

    • banners (ie: LinkedIn)

    • post artwork

 

  • custom designs

    • postcards

    • posters

    • design of choice

 

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Do you charge hourly or per project?

Projects are based an hourly or per project basis. I offer a 30 minute free consultation to review your project to discuss creative ideas. A quote will be provided and approved prior to commencement of design. 

 

  • Hourly rate

    • $80/hour

  • Per project rate

    • Per project rates can tend to vary from approximately 

      • $150+ for small design projects, $500 for mid size projects such as brochures, posters, and banners. Larger projects like annual reports, manuals and books can range from $2,500+

  • Payment

    • Deposit

      • 25-50% deposit is due at the beginning of design

        • Partial payment may be required dependant upon project size

        • Samples of artwork can be requested throughout the process 

    • Final payment

      • Final payment is due upon completion of artwork

      • Once final payment has been received, final artwork will be delivered

 

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How long have you been doing design?

I taught myself how to use design software back in the 90’s, discovering the workings of Photoshop, Corel Draw, Illustrator and QuarkXpress. I learned from printed manuals and through trial and error managed to figure things out, and then decided to return to school to study design. 

 

When I finished school, I started a job in Prepress at a local printer, where I prepared files for print and developed film for print jobs. I got a couple of years’ experience under my belt and eventually started to work freelance. 

 

As a freelance, I started with small design projects, and eventually was hired to create a quarterly publication for the Canadian Association of Geophysical Contractors. In 2003, I started working freelance on a full-time basis, eventually creating Square Circle Design. I’ve been working as a graphic designer/desktop publisher for over 20 years.  

 

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Design projects and experience

Annual Reports

Experience: 10+ years 

 

Publications, books and manuals

Experience: 15+ years

 

Seismic/Oil &Gas/Sustainable Energy

Industries: explosives, survey, exploration, clearing, mapping, sustainable energy

Experience: 15+ years

 

General project designs

Business cards, brochures, social media designs, reports, banners, illustrations, booths, advertising…

Experience: 20+ years

 

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What is your educational background?

I taught myself how to use design software back in the 90’s, discovering the workings of Photoshop, Corel Draw, Illustrator and QuarkXpress.

 

I really enjoyed the world of design so while working, I returned to school and studied Desktop Publishing at SAIT - Southern Alberta Institute of Technology completing their continuing education program with a focus on various design programs. 

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Over the years, the design industry has been through many changes from purchasing cds and loading software to accessing all software online. In addition to specializing in print design, I also to create digital designs for web and social media use.

 

I utilize Mac for all designs working with the Adobe Creative Suite of programs and primarily use InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator and Acrobat.

 

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How does the design process work?

  • Meet with the client; face to face or via video meeting such as Zoom or Google Meet

  • Discuss design project details

  • Provide client with a quote and timeline

  • Confirm approval for quote

  • Receipt of deposit

  • Start work on your project

  • Provide updates throughout the process to the client

  • Final edits

  • Confirm final approval of artwork

    • Hourly rate applies for edits after final approval

  • Final payment due

  • Once payment is received, final files will be sent; digital and/or print files

 

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Do graphic designers build websites or do coding?

I currently do not offer web design services.

 

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Why is branding important?

  • Brand identity design includes everything from logos, and typography to colors, packaging, photography and messaging. It is how a business wants to be viewed

  • The goal of branding is to create an ecosystem of visual and written elements that complement and reinforce your brand

  • Along with building credibility and trust, a strong and consistent brand design should also give people insight into what your brand is all about.

  • Brand guidelines offer an easily accessible playbook to educate your team on how, when, where, and why to use each of your brand identity elements. 

  • Once brand guidelines are in place, anyone from your company should be able to put your brand to work in a consistent way.

 

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How do you send final projects?

Once your design project is completed, it can be sent as a digital file available for download or email depending on the file size. Files can also be saved for print, in addition, I can work with your printer of choice. 

 

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Do you do any last-minute designs or quick-turnaround jobs?

Yes. If time permits, I am happy to take on rush jobs. My hourly rate for rush jobs are $100/hour which is $20 higher per hour than my regular hourly rate.

 

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Why do I need a graphic designer for my business?

When you hire a graphic designer, it allows you to keep your focus on what you love doing, and that’s running your business. Instead of getting frustrated with software that you aren’t familiar with or that just does not work for creating quality designs, simply outsource it. A graphic designer can turn around a job in a lot less time while creating artwork that is customized and branded, just for you. Your time is valuable, and a graphic designer can take away the stress and frustration of creating professional, high quality/resolution branded material such as a logo or general designs that can be used for print, web or social media. 

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