Why is it so important that all the content and assets for a project be given together rather than piecemeal?
Imagine trying to cook a meal with only some of the ingredients, or paint a picture with access to only a few colours in the beginning and the rest when you are half-way through. Technically possibly but far from an ideal workflow. By the same token, it is very difficult to create an effective design without all the components that will eventually be present. Having access to all the elements from the outset allows us to make better design decisions and results in higher quality work and less stress.
Why is it so important to have one point of contact/decision-maker for creative projects?
A common maxim in the world of design is that a camel is a horse designed by committee; It is very hard to make efficient and effective design decisions when there is a lack of a unifying vision from the client. This often results in a compromise between the requirements and viewpoints of the participants which is not the best course of action for a given project. We recommend having one key decision-maker from your end who can work with us on the project.
Why is design work more expensive than layout work?
While layout is an art form in itself, it can only ever be as good as the design template on which it is based upon. While many aspects of the layout process can be automated to some degree, the initial design requires much more care and consideration in order to be effective. It takes many years to understand and effectively apply principles of design and as with any creative discipline involved not just the time spent on that project but many years of experience.
Why is a hand-drawn illustration more expensive than vector-based/typographic design?
Like most creative disciplines, you aren’t just paying for the final product; you’re paying for the hours someone put into learning their expertise. While the same can be said for graphic design as well, illustration also requires a certain natural propensity to the art form that not everyone possesses and is harder to master than software. While we have multiple designers on our team we have only one illustrator and as a result, their work comes at a premium. The hand-drawn illustration is also more time consuming and harder to edit compared to vector-based visuals.
I am a non-profit organization/charitable foundation. Do you provide any pro-bono work or offer discounted rates?
Yes, sometimes if a project resonates with us or represents a cause that we feel is worthy we do consider reduced rates and even in some rare cases pro-bono work. Please do keep in mind that we only take on one or two such projects per year at most and are therefore extremely selective about the ones we do.
Do you have any standard rates?
We have flat rates for our most commonly requested projects and custom quotes for jobs with unique requirements. We like to discuss each new project with you to determine its scope, how much work will be involved, the timeline, etc. Once we have a thorough understanding of your needs, we can suggest a quote that will encompass all of your needs. We usually quote on a set project fee, based on the initial scope, so that you know the costs upfront.ity work and less stress.
I need some high-quality design work done by tomorrow but don’t have much of a budget. Can you deliver?
Apart from certain exceptions, unfortunately not. This is the traditional fast/cheap/good dichotomy in action. A project can only be completed faster by increasing the budget or cutting scope. Similarly, an increasing scope may require equivalent increases in budget and schedule. Cutting the budget without adjusting the schedule or scope will usually lead to lower quality.
What if I am not happy with the provided design options after the agreed-upon limit has been reached.
If we have been provided with a clear brief with visual references and constructive feedback on the initial drafts this is usually not an issue. If we have reached the agreed-upon limit and you are still not satisfied we are happy to discuss what went wrong. If we have somehow misunderstood or misinterpreted your needs we will of course provide you with additional options. However, if the reason lies on the client-side (change of heart, lack of clear vision etc) we will be compelled to charge for additional versions.
Who will be handling my project? Do you have a team?
Your project will be assigned a dedicated project manager who will serve as the primary point of contact at FOLD. We have a small team of full-time employees as well as a network of associates who come on board part-time on a per-project basis. You can learn more about our structure here.
Do you only undertake commercial commissions or are you up for creative collaboration.
FOLD was founded to be more than just a faceless agency, we are a close-knit group of like-minded creative people who love what they do and enjoy the act of creation for its own sake. As such, we are very much open to collaborating with artists, musicians, designers or really anyone who has a project in mind. Feel free to write to us if you have a non-commercial project that you think we might be able to work together on.
What happens if I miss my feedback/content delivery deadlines?
We know that things get delayed sometimes. A few days here and there are not really an issue, and even slightly longer delays can sometimes be okay as long as clear communication is made. However, longer delays and/or lack of communication will start affecting our timelines and may even result in additional fees if the designated project period is breached.
How long does a project take to complete?
That depends entirely on the project! Our ability to complete a project also hinges largely on your response time, so the sooner you respond to us, the faster we can move forward. We will be able to discuss a more concrete time frame during your consultation. Your project timeline will depend on the scope of work, our availability and how quickly you’re able to provide feedback for each phase of the project. We would recommend planning for at least a month for most projects; websites and full branding suites can take close to three months and book design projects even longer, usually at least six months. We can offer a fast turnaround service for some projects but this will be reflected in the cost of the work. (See also: Fast/cheap/good.)
GENERAL FAQS
I currently have a logo and branding but am looking for a refresh. Is this something you can do for me?
Yes! We’ve worked with several companies that were in need of a brand refresh. We understand that while you may love your existing brand, you might want to make some tweaks to give it a fresh new look. We’re here to offer guidance and branding best practices.
What is the difference between a logo and a brand identity?
A logo is a graphic mark or symbol that is used to promote instant recognition of your brand. Think of it as your signature— how people recognize something as being yours. Despite their visual simplicity, logos are one of the most difficult design elements to perfect. Your logo is one element of your overall brand identity. Your brand identity on the other hand is the visual expression of your brand: your logo, colour palette, font palette, imagery, website, stationery, brand guideline, etc.Think of it as your clothing, how you present yourself visually to those you meet.
What's the difference between brand strategy & brand guidelines?
A brand strategy is a document that looks at your business and what it does, your consumer and their physical and emotional needs, your competitors and where you sit in comparison, your key messaging and goals for the biz, mission, vision, profit, brand positioning and more. Whereas brand guidelines is a document that outlines all your logos, colours, fonts and how to use your new branding. Your brand strategy is given to you in the first phase of the project and guidelines is the last thing you receive.
What types of brands do you work with?
We’ve worked with brands of all industries and sizes. However, we are highly selective when it comes to who we work with–we only take on projects where we know we can make a difference! To view our past work, be sure to check out our Portfolio on our website.
PUBLICITY DESIGN &
BRANDING
How much does a website cost?
Prices start at 500 USD for a basic website package and go up from there depending on your needs and the complexity of the site.
What is a domain name?
Think of your domain name as your address. It’s how people will find you when they want to visit you. You want your domain name (URL) to be simple, memorable, and easy to spell.
What is a website host?
Think of your website host as the plot of land you build your house (or in this case, website) on. It’s the physical location that your domain name (your address) will lead people to.
Do you do E-Commerce/Online Store websites?
Yep! Do keep in mind that though your website package investment will be higher than an ordinary website and increase further based on the complexity/scale of your online store.
Why are E-Commerce sites more costly than regular websites?
Where a standard website might have, let’s say, ten unique pages that create the site, an e-commerce site by its very nature will have many times that number. Now, many of these will be automated by the system in a sense, but the page templates still must be created. Also, adding a “CMS” option in order to allow customer-management of the shopping cart and its included items takes time and knowledge above and beyond a more basic website.
What is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
Search Engine Optimization is a fancy way to say that we want your website to come up in Google search results when your customers are searching for businesses like yours. There is a lot that goes into SEO and if you get really serious about it, you’ll likely want to hire an expert that specializes in it. However, there is a lot that we can do to get you started on the right foot when we launch your new website. Our standard website package includes basic SEO set-up.
When do you need my website copy?
Your final copy (whether you write it or have someone help) is due BEFORE we start on the website development process. Within the first week or so of our design process. We recommend having all of your rough copy ready before we start.
Can you get my webpage to No.1 on the google search results?
Our basic SEO setup will certainly increase your chances of being found online, but we can’t guarantee you a top spot on Google. In all but the least competitive markets, boosting your site’s ranking will require a great deal of time, patience and sometimes money — some businesses even hire a professional SEO expert. Getting your site to show up in search results is much harder when you have a new, unknown site. Once your site is reputable and receives a lot of organic traffic, maintaining it is relatively easy.
Why do you use tools like WIX for creating websites rather than coding a custom CMS.
Our main skillset is design and while we do dabble in some coding, are more easily able to bring our creative vision to life using the visual web tools provided by WIX. While WIX is often known for simple template based sites it has a powerful editor that, when in the hands of an experienced designer, can be used to create websites that really stand out. WIX also allows for very easy maintenance of your website once it is completed - i.e you wont need to come back to us every time you need to upload new content or make changes.
Will you teach me how to update my website myself?
Of course! We want you to feel like you have full ownership of your website, and don’t want you to have to make a request every time you want to update the content on your website. The WIX, industry-leading drag-and-drop builder that we work with allows you to make basic updates to your website without any coding knowledge. We offer a free training session post-launch to get you up to speed.
Do you write the content/copy for my site?
Effective and well-written website copy is just as important (if not moreso, in some cases) as the website design itself. FOLD can help with some basic editing and optimize the copy you provide so that it fits within the structure of each web page and the goals we’ve set. We can also write the copy for you but this will need to be discussed well in advance and will be charged separately.