Question for Graphic Designers & Video Enthusiasts

[eDotd]

How much do you charge? I was talking to my old teacher the other day and he said 40-50 an hour is reasonable. I'm just starting out so I'm trying to ask around.

Also, is it better to charge by the hour, or to just give them a flatline price, depending on the project, and then charge for any additional things on top of that?

Any help would be appreciated.

[DC]

Re: Question for Graphic Designers & Video Enthusiasts

So in the long run what you trynna do Mo?

[DaveDQ]

Re: Question for Graphic Designers & Video Enthusiasts

I charge $75.00 an hour for graphic design. There are some who are well over $100.00. I'd avoid flat rates because customers are different, and the energy you put into one project may be entirely different with the energy you put into another. For instance, if you tell someone, "My rate for logo design is $125.00," you may send them 3 logos to observe and they fall in love with one right off the bat. Your next customer may say, "I don't like any of them, can you show me 3 more?" Now you are working more, but still are tied to the initial flat rate.

What I try and do is nail down the content that the customer is requesting. I try and gather as much information as possible and then determine how I'm going to go about creating and how much energy it'll take. I then give them a quote of about how much they are going to have to put into this.

Just from experience, the graphic design field is an extremely saturated market right now. I am always seeing work that is very well done, and sometimes I see guys working full time for a company and they are putting up lousy work. If you are just starting out, build your portfolio and save everything. I look back at some things I've done several years ago and laugh at myself. Be positively motivated by work that you see as better than yours.

I've seen your video work. You have a good sense of dynamics. That goes a long way.

Best wishes.

[eDotd]

Re: Question for Graphic Designers & Video Enthusiasts

I charge $75.00 an hour for graphic design. There are some who are well over $100.00. I'd avoid flat rates because customers are different, and the energy you put into one project may be entirely different with the energy you put into another. For instance, if you tell someone, "My rate for logo design is $125.00," you may send them 3 logos to observe and they fall in love with one right off the bat. Your next customer may say, "I don't like any of them, can you show me 3 more?" Now you are working more, but still are tied to the initial flat rate.

What I try and do is nail down the content that the customer is requesting. I try and gather as much information as possible and then determine how I'm going to go about creating and how much energy it'll take. I then give them a quote of about how much they are going to have to put into this.

Just from experience, the graphic design field is an extremely saturated market right now. I am always seeing work that is very well done, and sometimes I see guys working full time for a company and they are putting up lousy work. If you are just starting out, build your portfolio and save everything. I look back at some things I've done several years ago and laugh at myself. Be positively motivated by work that you see as better than yours.

I've seen your video work. You have a good sense of dynamics. That goes a long way.

Best wishes.

Cool, I'm not looking to make a living off of it, I just want to be able to earn some cash on the side.

What programs are essential for graphic designing? Of course photoshop, and the adobe family but what else? Over the past year I've learned about 6-7 new programs so that I can answer to anything the customer is driving for.

[eDotd]

Re: Question for Graphic Designers & Video Enthusiasts

So in the long run what you trynna do Mo?

Not sure

[DaveDQ]

Re: Question for Graphic Designers & Video Enthusiasts

What programs are essential for graphic designing? Of course photoshop, and the adobe family but what else? Over the past year I've learned about 6-7 new programs so that I can answer to anything the customer is driving for.

I think the Adobe line is sufficient.