Frequently Asked Questions

To help potential clients, I’ve provided answers to some of my most frequently asked questions. If you need any further information or have any questions, just let me know.

Price and payments

1. How much does it cost to work with you?
2. How is the cost of your services determined?
3. What do I get for the money?
4. What forms of payment do you accept?
5. Why do I need to send a down payment for the project?
6. What is your refund policy?

Work and services

7. What services do you offer?
8. Can we still work together if we live in different countries?
9. What is your work process?
10. How long will the project take to complete?
11. Do you do all the work? Do you outsource?
12. Do you accept every project?
13. What tools and software do you use?
14. What is responsive web design and why do we need it?
15. I’m just starting a new business, can you help me?
16. I get confused with domains, hosting etc – can you help me setup my site?
17. Can you maintain my website after the work is finished?

Getting started

18. I like your style son, can you start right away?
19. What happens when I complete your Questionnaire?
20. Why do you have a picture of a bulldog with a sombrero as a background?
21. How in the name of finnish gods do I pronaunce your name?

Price and paymentsBack to top ^

1. How much does it cost to work with you?

   A very good question, after all everybody wants to know how much things will cost. The cost of my services varies depending of the needs of each project.

   For example, it’s a bit like calling a home builder and saying “I want you to build me a new house. How much will it cost?” After a pause, they will then ask a lot of questions like how many bedrooms and bathrooms do you want, what size should the rooms be, do you have the land to build on and so on.

   Having a website designed is very similar in that the price depends on a lot of different factors. Once I have all the information required I will be more than happy to provide you with an estimate.

2. How is the cost of your services determined?

   I quote my services as a fixed bid project. The cost structure is based on the services selected, the complexity of functionality and the size of the project.

   Every project is unique and that’s why I love my job.

3. What do I get for the money?

   After project specifics are finalized and I’ve asked all the right questions, clients will usually receive a digital presentation showcasing the websites visual design and/or brand identity. The designs are shown in a variety of contexts to visualize how the design and/or identity adapts across multiple devices/medias.

   You will also receive professional consultation, friendly support and extensive research on my behalf throughout the entire project.

   When everyone’s happy, all necessary artwork is supplied in original formats with full ownership.

4. What forms of payment do you accept?

   For most projects, I request a 50% down payment to schedule the work. I accept payment via bank transfer, PayPal or Skrill. PayPal invoices are processed with the help of friends at HarvestApp.com, making the payments very secure and easy.

   The final 50% will be paid on completion of the project, prior to releasing the final artwork, if not agreed otherwise.

5. Why do I need to send a down payment for the project?

   Shortly, to ensure that from the beginning the client has the same level of commitment to the project that I have.

   A down payment lessens the absolute risk either party takes. Without a down payment I, as designer, have to take on 100% of the financial risk in the project. Down payment takes some of my risk and places it on the client, but overall it’s fair to both parties.

   When down payment is set, I can allocate the necessary amount of time for your project, turning down other projects if needed.

6. What is your refund policy?

   If I’ve already started working on your project after receiving the down payment and you decide to hit the abort button, then I will not refund your down payment.

   As a disclaimer, I want to say that I’ve always completed my projects and I work with you until you are completely satisfied with the final artwork.

Work and servicesBack to top ^

7. What services do you offer?

   I’ve specialized in the design of responsive websites and visual identities for clients across the world. The work I create helps my clients move closer to their goals. The aim is to boost client profits thought improved attraction and retention of ideal customer bases.

   If you’re interested in getting an estimate for this, please see my questionnaire. You can read more about my services.

8. Can we still work together if we live in different countries?

   Absolutely! In fact the vast majority of my clients are based abroad. Project correspondence is simply conducted via email, phone and Skype as needed. This has never effected any of my projects.

   If you are in the Greater Helsinki area, then it would be great to meet in person.

9. What is your work process?

   The design process is never linear, but in short my process goes similar to this:

   The brief > An estimate > 50% deposit > Research and brainstorming > Wireframing and sketching > Rendering the artwork > Presentation > Tweaks and revisions > Artwork delivery > Final 50% > Support.

   Process varies depending on the service. For example, developing a website requires testing and search engine optimization among other major tasks.

10. How long will the project take to complete?

    This depends on the exact needs and deliverables of the project, but timeframes vary from two weeks to four months. I don’t work on more than two projects at a time, so each client gets their deserved attention with unconditional love.

11. Do you do all the work? Do you outsource?

    Yes. I do all of the work, which means when you hire me, you will work directly with me – no project managers or secretaries between us. Only one name to remember – Janne.

    I do not outsource any of my design work. If needed and agreed upon, I do know talented web developers for the extra challenging projects where my development skills just don’t cut it.

12. Do you accept every project?

    Absolutely not. Creating a website or a brand identity is a big endeavor, so we need to have our synergy for the project to be successful.

    If I don’t feel that we make a good team, or think that I’m not the right designer for the project, I will quickly tell you so. No hard feelings.

13. What tools and software do you use?

    A good pigment ink pen and a Dot Grid Book is the birth place for all my projects and ideas.

    When it’s time to go digital, my main choice of weapon is Sketch with Adobe Creative Cloud on a Mac. For web development I use Coda 2 with Emmet extension. Froont.com is very handy tool to design and demonstrate responsive wireframes to a client. For time tracking and invoicing I use Harvestapp.com.

14. What is responsive web design and why do we need it?

    Shortly, responsive design enables a website to adapt its layout to device-specific requirements – like screen resolution, pixel density, touch gestures and so on.

    With responsive images and fluid grids, content and layouts automatically resize to fit the screen. Images grow or shrink and copy reflows itself. The end result is that the user has the consistent experience intended – whether it’s on a mobile, tablet or a desktop device.

    I like to have access to my clients Google Analytics profiles so that I can size up their traffic and audience. Generally this enables me to get a better picture of their current audience, leading to a more successful project.
    
    

    • In “Data Monday: Impact of Responsive Designs,” Luke Wroblewski cites increased revenue, conversions and website visits following responsive redesigns.
    • Pew Internet’s study of US adults, “Cell Internet Use of 2012,” is full of recent figures. 55% of mobile-phone owners use their phones to go online, and 31% of those users go online mostly on their phone.
    • In “Responsive Web Design is Indispensable,” Syed Noman Ali tells the pros and the cons of responsive design and why it is essential to your business.

    
    

15. I’m just starting a new business, can you help me?

    Of course. I love to work with start-ups and entrepreneurs, an empty canvas is always the best possible way to start an awesome project for your business.

16. I get confused with domains, hosting etc – can you help me setup my site?

    Yes. I can acquire the domain in need for you and provide high-quality hosting with MediaTemple. Ideally, I’ll take care of everything from the brief to the launch of your website.

17. Can you maintain my website after the work is finished?

    Yes. Any time you need changes made to your website, big or small, simply let me know and I’ll give you an estimate of the work. No down payments, yay!

    If your site needs constant care for a longer time period, then a fixed monthly fee is a better choice for both parties.

Getting startedBack to top ^

18. I like your style son, can you start right away?

    It is possible. My focus is always on current clients, and I don’t work on more than two projects at a time. So please contact me to check my availability, as this changes all the time.

19. What happens when I complete your Questionnaire?

    I carefully study your answers and do some light research. Then I send you an estimate for your project via email and suggest text-based solutions and ideas on how to get closer to your essential goals and milestones.

    When you’ve read and accepted the estimate, I will send you an invoice for the 50% down payment. Once down payment is sent, I put on my thinking hat and start doing what I do best.

20. Why do you have a picture of a bulldog with a sombrero as a background?

    ¿Por que no? Bulldogs with sombreros – that’s awesome.

21. How in the name of finnish gods do I pronaunce your name?

    This girl from Sweden got it right.

Thank you for reading my FAQs.