| Working
Terms of Agreement
For
all new clients
-
Estimates, Charges and Payments
Hourly
Rate: $50/hour
Minimum
charge: $12.50
(or 15 minutes)
Logos
Websites
Printing
Using
Your Own Printer
Outsourcing
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Logos
Logos are difficult to estimate. Basically,
logos can cost from $150 - $10,000.
The
breakdown of cost is in the following questions: How
many choices do you want to see? How large is your target audience:
international, national,
local within your city, an audience of only a limited
number of people? Do you need a great "ah ha" concept?
Or just something simple, yet professional? How is the logo
going to be used? On the web or just on business cards, or everything
in between?
The
cost will essentially depend on one simple idea: How much time
do you want to pay someone to devote to this project? In a large
agency, several designers may work on a logo full time for several
days or weeks. Do the math, per agency hour, per employee. That
kind of attention is the at the maximum end of the price range.
No stone is unturned, and choices are plentiful, with several
designers showing completely different perspectives. With Hot
Designs, you work with only one designer instead of a group
of designers.
"Quick"
or "down and dirty" logos should be used only for
short term projects or very teeny tiny audiences. "Don't
spend much time on it" is the curse of the new logo. Exception
is only if you are extremely clear about what you want and just
want someone to execute it. You will still spend $125–$200
to get that done. The most important thing about any logo is
that it is used consistently to create branding and recognition.
Before
you talk to a designer about starting your logo –
Collect samples of logos you like and don't like, to use as
a talking point about what you like. Provide the designer with
as much information as you have about: your company, what your
company makes, sells, wants to market, your competition, target
audience, your goals, tastes, expectations, budget, etc. If
these things are communicated, the process can be streamlined.
Design exploration is great for a logo, but it costs money to
execute.
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What is the cost of a new website?
This is another open ended question but here's a shot at it.
If
you already have a domain and a host, or an existing site that
needs an overhaul, skip to paragraph 3 to address only
the design costs.
From
scratch, there are several costs to understand.
1)
Domain name cost. To buy the name you want
(ie. www.mycompany.com) you will pay from $7.95-14.95 approx.
per year to own the name. (and up for special names) Hot Designs is not a registrar but can help you through the process.
2)
Hosting. This is a monthly or yearly fee to a hosting
company, and can run from $6.99 - $35 per month (and up), depending
on the level of hosting you need. A typical company will be
at the lower end of the range. $7-15 per month is average. Hot Designs does not provide hosting services, but can help you through the process.
3)
Design. The
cost to design the site is going to depend on how much site
you need. A few photos, text, masthead with logo and up to three
or four links will cost a minimum of $500 and the price goes
up from there. A reasonable starting price for a small to medium
company will be in the $1500 - $4000 range. This is a wide range
obviously, but websites can go from a to z. Again this all depends
on how much work you want put into it – rollovers, flash
animations, slideshows, animated effects and other bells and
whistles. If you have an idea of what you want, a feature you
saw on another site, show that link for a comparison. This is
a good starting place for the designer to see what you like.
If
you need total web hosting assistance, Hot Designs can help
you purchase your domain name and possibly refer you to a web
hosting company that can handle your needs. Hot Designs is not
affliated with any registrars or hosts, however.
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Printing
Hot
Designs handles printing in two ways:
Referred
Printing Hot Designs can refer you to a printer
for your job, or help you find the right type of printer for
your project, right in your area. We take care of providing
the proper jobs specs to the printer for an estimate, and communicate
directly with them about your project. The files will be delivered
to the printer electronically. Hot Designs will be available
at any time for technical communication for the printing. You
will pay the printer directly for their services.
Hot
Designs is not affiliated with any printers, therefore the printers
we refer are just suggestions based on our own knowledge of
printing.
Print
Management* is offered on some jobs through outsourcing.
Hot
Designs will handle the printing entirely through outsourced
printers. Payment for printing is made to Hot Designs directly.
All printing handled this way must be pre-paid. The printing
company that fits the job specs and can provide the best quality
at the best value is chosen. We coordinate the job with the
printer, supply them the artwork, get a proof, make necessary
adjustments to the proof, forward the final proof to the the
client (you), press check the job if required, and arrange for
final delivery. You don't need to be involved in any way with
the printer.
It
is best to pick a printer while working on the design, so that
it can be designed accordingly. Every printer has their own
specifications for printing on their press.
*This
service is not available on all projects. Your printing requirements
will determine whether a job is Referred or Managed.
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Using
Your Own Printer
You
may use whatever printer you prefer. If Hot Designs is designing
a project to give to your printer, you will be supplied with
the file formats you need. It is best to give your printer Hot
Designs' contact information for any technical follow-ups, to
avoid any technical gaps. Communication between the
designer and printer is very important. Poor communication
can lead to projects being printed improperly. You can sometimes
save money by finding your own printer, and sometimes not, because
designers are in contact with commercial printers who can offer
better pricing on certain jobs. Hot Designs can offer consulting
on where to have a project printed to help the process go more
smoothly.
If
you handle your own printing, it is suggested you do a proof
before printing the final quantity, and allow for any necessary
file changes, ie: color, borders, a final proofing inspection.
Great inexpensive printing options are available now, but sometimes
you don't get a proof. Jobs are "ganged" (put on large
sheets with other jobs) to split costs. With this method, what's
"good for the whole" is what gets printed, so your
colors may vary. It's not recommended to do a printing job that
way unless you can accept whatever product comes out in the
end without question. Hot Designs does not guarantee any printed
projects without a proof before final printing. You assume the
risk if you choose not to see a proof before final printing.
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Outsourcing
If
the concept for your project requires professional illustration,
writing, programming for higher level web design ideas or high
level photography, I'll team with professionals who fit the
project, and art direct the work. When budget and concept allow
for a collaboration, the resources are in place to get the job
done. Many samples on this site include work done in team settings.
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