frequently asked questions

I’m not only passionate about my work, but I’m honest about what I charge, I’m ethical in my approach and I value similar characteristics in others.

I enjoy being an asset that my customers can count on – an extension of their team – and find energy and enjoyment from working collaboratively.

I really love what I do, and I believe it shows in the quality, passion and craftsmanship of my work.  I’ve been in this industry for more than twenty years so I have a unique perspective and can give a unique voice to nearly any endeavor.

Yes.  I do required review, consent to working terms and your approval on the project scope before I start working.  The project estimate is basically a contract of our agreed upon goals and it outlines the full scope of work you’ve requested.  It helps us both be on the same page.  Don’t worry, I make my estimates as straight-forward and simple as possible.

I’m most readily available via email, but am more than happy to set up a phone call at a date / time that is convenient for us both.

No way! 🙂  Cre8ive Options, LLC is registered in the State of Minnesota and proudly serves North Mankato, Mankato, Greater Minneapolis and surrounding cities with graphic design and internet marketing services.  But, I certainly don’t stop there.

In fact, over two-thirds of my business is transacted with awesome merchants, partnering developers and B2B customers located from Hawaii, to New Jersey to California and everywhere in-between.

It depends – typically WordPress sites can be completed in 4-6 weeks.

eCommerce Web Designs however depend on the scope of work and are largely affected by the speed of communications and often the collection of required information.  Basically the more prepared you are for the project and the more available you are to parse through the back and forth changes, the quicker the process goes.  I’ve completed entire designs in a few weeks time and some projects have lasted well into a year.

But don’t worry, once we agree on the project details, we’ll set some realistic expectations for delivery.

The short answer is that I prepare final files for the intended product’s use ONLY.

For example: if you are purchasing a product designed for print, then high resolution files will be created utilizing the appropriate software solution for your project. Once the project rounds of revisions are meet and the project is approved, I’ll provide you with a single final print ready file for your use: in the majority of cases this is a print ready pdf or jpg at 300 dpi.

For custom logos I provide a complete set of web and print ready files that can be used for any application or use.

Web products are created for their intended use: on the web. As such, web files are conceptualized, drafted and created at the standard 72 dpi resolution.

If you have special needs for your projects or you require ‘native file formats’ of your project work, please discuss this desire at the conception of your project so that I can make sure to accommodate all of your requested in the most beneficial way.

Native file formats are included with some design projects.  Logos and website design items both include some native files for use and implementation once the project is approved.  If you have questions about receiving native files, please make sure to let me know so I can review that together at the onset of your project.

In most cases this questions comes from someone who’s having a WordPress website created and certainly you can easily make changes, updates, add/delete pages, content and photos from your own site.

If you’re new to WordPress and feel like a little training would go a long way, we can include that in your scope of work.  If you feel out of your element and would rather leave the maintenance and updates to me, I can do that too. 😉

For more technical changes, I suggest you contact me unless you know what you’re doing.

Project payment schedules are based on the approved scope of work and time frame though customarily, I require a deposit of at least half the projected costs up front.

Project estimates $1,000 and less require full payment before work begins.

I accept credit cards through PayPal, or certified/bank issued checks by mail (please note: work does not begin until the required deposits have been fully processed).  If you have a question about my billing process, please send an email to [email protected]

Yes I do.  We both have equity invested in your projects from the get go; I invest with my experience, expertise, time, resources and effort and you with yours.  The payment terms are dependent on the work you request.  If in doubt the payment terms are always available on your work order estimate or just ask 🙂

In the event that you need something ASAP = in less than 3 business days time, the rush fee is double the regular hourly rate.  It’s always best to bring that up in advance, since my ability to provide rush services is also dependent on the current work queue.

My open rate for graphic design services is $85/hr.

WordPress and eCommerce rates are quoted according to their specific need.

I proudly offer discounted rates for non-profit and not-for-profit organization and also occasionally take on supportive pro-bono work for charity and good-will causes.  If you have questions about rates please send me an inquiry to [email protected]

Communications during a project are to be expected and are included in the proposed project scope.  Simple questions outside of our agreed scope that require less than 5 minutes of my time are generally considered free.  That being said, I appreciate you’re understanding that my time is best used working on the items in my queue.  Questions that involve extra research, lengthy responses, or generally ‘eat up’ valuable design time will be charged at my open rate of $85/hr