Got any questions?
10 Quick answers to some burning questions you may have can be found below:
01
You have an impressive list of Clients here - are you expensive?
Not at all - because I find the work I do with smaller outfits and startups extremely rewarding (and generally enjoy a greater degree of creative freedom on these projects), you'll find my rates are both flexible and surprisingly reasonable. The ultimate goal is to accomplish as much as we can as effectively as we can with what we have - as any artist will tell you, limitations often provide the best inspiration!
02
Are you a front-end developer?
No, I do not code. While I do work directly with your front-end developer or coders to ensure that the design is implemented as intended, I prefer to concentrate on your product's design and direction. I've developed UI / UX for a multitude of frameworks and systems over the years and am extremely developer-savvy, so adapting to new frameworks and platforms is not new for me.
03
At which stage of a project should we bring you in?
As early as possible is always the answer - you'll find my involvement in the early brainstorming and PRD development stages of a project extremely beneficial for a number of reasons. It helps all invested parties to better visualize a product in early development - even if that original design gets revamped or discarded. Branding is something that also benefits from early exploration, as the ultimate integration of identity and experience is going to be paramount to your product's success. You'll find my experience to be of great benefit to your team in many aspects of your development.
04
What do you need from us to get started?
Surprisingly, not much. I've build entire online music stores, asset management systems and SaaS applications from nothing more than Powerpoint slides or Excel spreadsheets. We start from your idea and we make it real together - from wireframes and flow mapping all the way through to final assets, testing and deployment. The more you have to work with, the better - but if all you have is a brilliant idea or broad outline, you'd be surprised by just how quickly we can make that grow into a real, shipping product.
05
How does the process go?
After NDA's are signed, we'll engage in discussion so I can best determine your needs and how best to deliver on them. I'll review your materials, develop a comprehensive proposal outlining the scope of the project, itemize the deliverables, and provide an estimate re: delivery time and cost. The final price will be based on a number of variables - the size of your company, the length of the engagement, and my excitement about the project. For projects with a concise timeline and set of deliverables, I'll quote a flat cost - 50% up front, 50% upon completion is my general rule, but this can be broken up into phases or milestones. Code-ready assets are generally handed off with final payment, but arrangements an be made if you need assets prior to completion. If you have a project in open development without a defined scope, or if you feel that your project might require my involvement for an extended period, I offer banks of hours on retainer - providing you with the resources and flexible level of involvement you require without having to go all-in on a permanent contractor.
06
What software do you use?
My primary tools are all Adobe softwares (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Indesign), Cinema 4D and Sketch. I have an emerging proficiency in Framer and Figma (Sketch and Figma are essentially identical, so while I prefer design in Sketch, I will work in Figma if required)) and am currently teaching myself Touch Designer, Plasticity and Blender. I have not used Canva, and find cooking under the din of too many voices (ie. excessively collaborative design) best avoided. While I am happy to contribute to or provide collaborative spaces for various aspects and stages of a project, I insist upon my own brainstorming and workspace to produce my best work. Regardless of the softwares used. all of my deliverables meet and / or exceed industry standards and I have yet to run into a compatibility issue as these particulars are usually solved proior-to or early on in development.
07
Are you currently subject to any limiting agreements?
No, I am not currently bound by any Non-Compete Terms or prevented from working in any software space. I am currently bound by a number of NDAs, but am hyper-vigilant in keeping all trade secrets and proprietary information strictly confident.
08
I'm not seeing the work from a given Client here, why?
It will be one of the following: 1. the project may be older and I a. no longer have access to the original creative or b. don't think the creative holds up to my contemporary work; 2. I may not have display rights to the project - this often happens with larger companies that like to maintain the illusion that all work is done in-house (this often happens with subcontracting as well); 3. A lot of what I develop are in-house platforms and experiences that utilize proprietary or sensitive corporate intellectual property - and I am a stickler for contracts, NDAs and agreements. Unfortunately for me, this represents a great deal of what I've been doing for the past 10 years, which is why the current focus on mainstream public-facing experiences.
09
Are you willing / able to travel?
Yes - assuming my travel expenses are covered, I will fly anywhere in the world for the right project.
10
Are you open to part-time, full-time or permanent roles?
This depends entirely upon the situation - in addition to freelance work, I have been known to take on all manner of contracted roles, from short-term gigs to full-time roles spanning multiple years of involvement. I've also been known to accept the offer of a permanent position, but as I prefer to work remote, these roles are limited. Would I pick up and move for the right position? Absolutely, if it were a good fit and felt like the next step.