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| Social Graphic Designer (Photo credit: Filimonas) |
Every freelance graphic designer operates their business differently,
but in most cases follows the same general process as below. The
information provided herein is based on my own experience as a
freelance graphic designer, and can be used to set the basis for your own operations or to give clients a better insight into your typical design process.
Request for Quote
Before a project/job can begin, some form of introduction has to be
made between the client and designer. It can go both ways: the designer
submitting a
project proposal,
resume or portfolio for the client’s consideration or vice versa, the
client submitting a request for quote, project brief, etc. This can be
accomplished in any number of ways but most typically is either through
an email, a website form, a phone call or an in-person meeting.
Estimate
If the cost of the project hasn’t been set by the client (i.e. in a
job advertisement, project brief, etc.), generally the designer will
review the project specifications and supply a reasonable estimate based
on: the information submitted by the client during the introductory
phase and their own rates and terms of service.
Contracts
An experienced designer knows better than to offer a service without the security of a
contract
to protect them. Typically the contract will cover all the basis of the
designer’s working operations including: costs of services, deadlines,
ownership, payment terms and so on. Always read and understand the
contract fully before signing!
Deposits / Upfront Payments
Most designers require some form of upfront payment, generally 10-50%
of the estimated project cost, and will expect it to be paid before any
service is provided. This not only protects the designer in the event
the client cancels after work has been provided, but also signals to the
designer that the client is serious about following through with the
project. In many cases, this initial deposit is retained by the designer
(i.e. it won’t be refunded to the client).
Concepts
Once all the paperwork and upfront payments are out of the way, the
designer will then get to work by producing “concept ideas” based on the
client’s requests. Generally these are sketches, mock-ups or what the
designer believes the final design should look like (in rough form).
Most designers provide 1-5 initial concept ideas. Providing the client
with too many concepts could complicate and drag on the project for
longer than initially projected – the client won’t like being billed
more than the estimated cost.
Revisions
Generally the client will take a few days to mull over the concepts
provided by the designer and choose one or two to modify or revise into
what they want the final design to be. Some designers limit the amount
of revisions that can be made in order to streamline the project to
completion; while others provide unlimited amounts of revisions. If you
have a picky client that likes to make change after change; a friendly
reminder that they will go over-budget if they proceed to make any more
changes and/or that their requested changes will be billed as a
“redesign” (therefore needing a new set of contracts and payments) will
help them make up their mind quicker, so you can get on with the design
process.
Final Design
Once the client is satisfied with the concept idea that they’ve
revised, its time for the designer to finalize the design – that is to
clean up the artwork, prepare files for output, and compiling all the
finished files to send to the client after final payment.
Final Payment
Before the designer releases the final design to the client a final
payment is typically due for all the expenses incurred for the project;
generally excluding the initial payment. Once all payments have been
made, the designer will then send the final design along with any
transfer of rights to the client. The client will then go on to use the
files in the manner specified by the designer or as arranged for the
project. Generally at this point the project is considered finished and
the client and designer go their separate ways.
After Project Expenses
For projects where the content is licensed, sometimes the client will
have to continue making payments to the designer for use of the
design/material well into the future. Other times the client may return
to the designer months or years later asking for a revision or change to
the design; in most cases the designer will charge their then standard
rate/terms for the service regardless of what the original rate was.
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