Frequently asked questions - Kirsten Graphic Design

How much will it cost?

Usually, I provide a quote with a fixed price. In case you prefer me to work on an hourly basis, that is also possible.

When you request a quotation, I may ask you for additional information via a questionnaire or in a meeting. This way I can present you with the most accurate price and you know in advance what the project will cost. Therefore, you will not be confronted with any surprises afterwards.

My quotes are mainly based on a time estimate. In addition, I also take into account the experience and expertise I can add to the project.

The quote includes the specifications of the project, the number of revision rounds, my working method and the specifications of the files that will be delivered at the end.

What is not included in the quote are prices of services or products provided by third parties (such as printing, delivery of packages or the purchase of fonts or images). I always try to make my quotations as complete as possible. Is there still something not mentioned that you would rather have included? Please let me know.

I have a tight deadline. Can you help me?

Definitely! I handle tight deadlines well and have conquered several in the past. Keep in mind that some printing techniques are not always possible anymore and that there may be an extra charge to finish the project at a faster pace. Feel free to add your deadline to your request via the contact form and I will see what I can do for you.

I want to collaborate. What are the next steps?

When you contact Kirsten Graphic Design, I usually first schedule an introductory meeting to get to know you and your business better. Depending on the project, you will receive some questions in advance that you can prepare for. The acquaintance and extra questions will help me to anticipate your exact wishes and needs.

Based on our conversation, I will make you a quotation with all the details of the project and my working method. After the quotation is signed off by you, it's time to get creative!

Of course, there is more to it after that. You can use the button below to see the full process.

My work process

I want a logo, but don't have a name for my company yet. Can I suggest the different options to you?

As long as you are not sure of your company name, a logo design cannot be started. After all, every word looks different. Would you like me to think about the name of your company? Then I can include this in the quotation.

Do you already have some options in mind? Here are some tips that may help you eliminate certain names:

Check the availability of your company name and make sure it can't be confused with a competitor.
Check the availability of your desired domain name. A domain name is a unique name on the internet, such as for a website or email address. For example, my domain name is kirstengraphicdesign.com. In addition, I also registered kirstengraphicdesign.be, to avoid confusion.
Check availability on social media. Can you still create an account with your company name, or is it already taken?
Take your target audience into account: Do you have international ambitions? Then you need to make sure that your company name is accessible in the countries you want to address. Germanic languages such as English and German do not do as well in countries with a Romance language such as France, Italy and Spain, and vice versa.
Is your target audience older? Then make sure your company name is simple and easy to remember.

I found this nice image on the internet, can you use this?

If you want to use a specific photo in the design, you must have the proper license of that photo. Did you download the photo from Google Images? If so, chances are pretty good that I can't just use it.

You want photos in your design but don't have the budget for a professional photographer? Then check out what's available on stock websites like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock. The price of images can vary a lot, so be sure to compare different websites.

Not entirely sure? You can still ask me to take on this part. Just tell me what you're looking for and I'll do the research. After that, I will come back to you with some options in different price categories and the only thing you have to do is choose.

Can you send me some draft designs in advance so I can see if we are a good fit?

The answer to this question is simply “No”. I do not participate in design pitches that require unpaid work. The level of payment for design work should be in proportion to the time and effort it has required. Kirsten Graphic Design provides a valuable service and I am confident that if you like the work in my portfolio and provide me with a good brief, I will be a perfect fit for you.

Can we also contact you for printing?

The search for the right printer can be a tricky process and sometimes some difficult terms come into play. Bleed, cut marks, cliché, PMS, etc. Leave that to me! I am in good relationship with some printers and can quickly contact some people I am sure will deliver quality work. Is what you have in mind so special that I don't even know a printer who can do it? Then I will ask my contacts for you. The research work, requesting quotations and further contact with the printer will then be taken care of by me.

Do you also provide other services such as photography and copywriting?

I primarily do graphic design but do have a number of trusted suppliers in my network that I can recommend for copywriting, photography or translations. Feel free to ask me and I will be happy to pass on their details.

What if I wanted to cancel our collaboration?

You can always cancel a project, but keep in mind that you will be billed in proportion to how much work has already been done. At the start of a project, I always ask for an advance payment. If you cancel the project before we have designed something, you will of course be refunded that full amount. If you want to cancel, do it as soon as possible.