By MacNessa, on September 24th, 2009%
Standard Rates For Graphic Design
By Marcus Peterson
Graphic designing is a profession where the raw material is creativity and the output is art. Calculating the work done in terms of money most of the times becomes an arguable issue. The fiscal calculations of a project depend on many aspects, though rough but different standards are established for various types of graphic designing.
Web site designing costs can be broken down to depending on the type of site, wherein sites are classified as low end, mid range and high-end sites.
A low site offers a 2-4 pages content and uses existing graphical themes or sock graphics are purchased. The designing package does not provide any animation page or any database interaction feature. The standard rates of such low-end site range approximately from $500 – $2000. On the other hand a mid range website costs approximately $2000 – $ 5000.
The website includes 5-7 pages of content out of which some is developed. In addition, the designer provides with 2-4 original graphics and a standard layout with some customization. Animation includes JavaScript mouse over changes but data interactions are not provided.
A high-end website involves a high cost and the standards range from $5000 – $10,000. A designer provides 12 or more pages of content, or even contents that are pragmatically/dynamically generated. The design has a unique layout and extensive graphics with navigation schemes. The animation is often done in JavaScript, Animated GIFs, Dynamic HTML, and Flash. In addition, designers also provide with SQL or Flat File database interaction.
The services of most graphic designers can also be calculated in hours. For instance the standard rates for basic graphic design are approximately $ 80 per hour, for custom graphic design $160 per hour, for 3-D graphic design $250 per hour, and for prepress correction and graphic adjustments $ 80 per hour.
Such types of calculation have greatly simplified the rate and cost problems of designing projects, as the designer is getting paid rationally if a certain project requires more time. Similarly, a client can give work in contracts that are based on hours.
Graphic Design provides detailed information on Graphic Design, Graphic Design Schools, Graphic Design Jobs, Graphic Design Companies and more. Graphic Design is affiliated with Graphic Artist Salaries.
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By MacNessa, on July 9th, 2009%
This Flyer Design project has certainly been very interesting, and has made me feel like I’m really continuously learning from the process. One can become set in ones ways and ones own tastes very quickly, and yet, it can be so liberating at the same time, with advertising design, to just LET GO and let the design take you where it wants to take you. You end up trying things you would have been hesitant try before, and then, better yet, end up really pleased with the results!
When designing flyers, you have to remember the purpose of the flyer and keep it central to your design process. It is after all advertising design, and it’s purpose is to increase the business of the person that you are designing the flyer for.
Here are the two most recent samples, that were shown to this client, I’ve since received feedback, and know where we will be going with the final piece, but since I don’t want anyone to miss out on ‘the graphic design process’, I’m going to show you all the pieces in order, until I finish the last one, and post it here in it’s complete form.

If you want to view this project from it’s outset, follow these links for Phase One, and Phase Two to view the flyers as they’ve gone through the process.
From here, we’ve taken a more direct view of the still images (from the clients portfolio of work) and put them into shiny metallic buttons. This is in keeping with the clients desire for a sleek/chrome and rich texture. It’s helped to unify the images as a whole, and yet, make them stand out at the same time.
This second version below, we removed the large call to action (call bejamin, matthew or thembisa) and played around with the font sizing slightly. Less being more in this case. We also added some more images from the clients portfolio in order to make a final selection for the final draft.
See below:

I’m due to send out one more proof on this, to the client, then I’m off to the shops to get a heart pendant necklace by the time I’m back later, it should be feedback time and the production of final draft. Designs for advertising and marketing purposes must ultimately lead to increased business for the client, so it has to be absolutely perfect, as with any other graphic design project. If it’s the first thing a potential new client sees, then it had better grab their attention, be clear about what the business offers, and have enough clear information to warrant futher investigation by the potential client.
I will be posting the final draft as soon as it has client approval, and then moving onto my next project which is a logo design for an equine shiatsu therapist – which is going to be super, super exciting!
By MacNessa, on June 29th, 2009%
This post is a direct follow up to this post about flyer design, so that you can follow the development of the flyers’ design as a work in progress.
Feedback from the original design was that the fonts were not working. The adjustments to the brief indicated that the preferred development style for the client should reflect a chrome/metal/sexy vibe against a backdrop of plush, gentlemans club type texture. For awhile I mulled over these two concepts, and wondered how to bring them together. It was hard to move past the immediate images that sprang to mind with the theme gentlmans club, and I had to try hard to clear my mind of all the cigar smoke, wood panelling and worn leather wingback chairs imagery that kept wafting to the forefront of my consciousness.
As is usally the case with my design style, I find it best to just jump right in and start designing, and then let the design take me where it wants to go.
I then save my images in various stages of completion, go back to an earlier saved version and then take the design in another direction. In this case, I repeated the action a second time, ending up with three samples to present to the client. This client is on the other side of the planet – so naturally the designs were sent by email.
Here are the three working samples currently:

I changed the background image texture, to this one, which was supplied by the client, and introduced a molten metal/chrome type globule at the top. The still images were removed from the original flyer sample in favour of this simplified version.
The second sample looked like so:

The metal globule from the above sample, was transformed into a frame, to neaten the overall look and feel. The logo and company name were placed top centre, to make it the focal point of the flyer, and coupled with the spotlight effect (black radial gradient applied to the background ‘red carpet’ texture added to the focal point.
The last sample was a departure from the above two (it’s usually good practice to just go with it, at least once, because you never know where you’re creativity will take you sometimes, and it’s often in a new, fresh direction which may or may not pay off).

Here I revisited the still image concept (taken from one of the clients corporate videos). Using the most captivating of the three images the client supplied, I echoed the blue orbs of the still, by introducing faded red bokeh type orbs over the texture, which iteself was played down by applying a black background, and lowering the opacity of the texture.
The red orbs are meant to recall the blurry look of lights in the distance. A pure chrome finish was applied to the contact details and as a frame backing to the still image.
Still awaiting client feedback on this one.
By MacNessa, on June 21st, 2009%
I am an equestrian enthusiast. That just means that I love pretty much everything to do with horses. Being able to work in an industry that reaches out to even *this* industry is awesome.
Here’s an example of how graphic design is used in the horse industry.

Packaging design for horse supplies!
In this case Absorbine Duraguard, which is a form of equine bug spray. There is virtually no end to the applications for graphic design, and this is one of the reasons that graphic designers will always be in demand in virtually every industry that exists.
By MacNessa, on June 17th, 2009%
Planning a wedding is exciting right!?
One of my favourite (and toughest) graphic design gigs is doing wedding stationery. It’s exciting to pour over designs and styles with brides-to-be, but it can also quickly descend into chaos if for example, your printer doesn’t install the font you embedded in your pdf file that you sent through, and you get 500 invitations produced in the wrong font.
Thankfully this has never happened to me, and I have a printer that is worth her weight in gold (at the very least!), but this sort of thing can happen if you’re not careful, and absolutely fastidious about every phase of the design process.
I imagine that things could be worse, if for example you were the jeweller and somehow misinterpreted the design brief for the engagement rings, but at least those can be melted down and redesigned!
Here’s to your contiuned success on your graphic design journey. Just remember to proof, proof, and proof again, and then get your bride-to-be to SIGN OFF on the final proof.
By MacNessa, on June 5th, 2009%
Until I started graphic design, I really did not understand the incredible scope and broad applications that graphic design touches.
It literally touches nearly every single part of our lives.
Not just advertising, and corporate ID which are the more mainstream, well known applications, but what about the exciting world of product packaging, or television, or well, don’t even get me started on the internet, it really is a world of opportunity!
Yesterday I opened a new bag of disposable diapers and upon seeing the Elmo and Sesame Street cast of characters as an update to the more regular Winnie The Pooh variety, it dawned on me just how big a field of application, the world of graphic design has.
You can work practically *anywhere* and in any industry. So there should always be jobs for graphic designers, and just about everywhere around the globe.
How exciting!
By MacNessa, on May 4th, 2009%
I’m currently working on the following graphic and advertising design projects and loving every minute of it. Nice to be studying graphic design and getting some work through while I’m still studying. Awesome! Building the portfolio, and it all bodes well for the future.
Website for a Printing Company in SA
Blog Header for M. in SA
Flyer for a Film Production Company, from the UK.
Headcard for a budding model in Colorado, USA
125×125 px advertising button for a blog.
Logo for a new Equine Shiatsu company that is launching soon.
I’ll be posting bits and pieces of these on this blog in the coming days, so stay tuned if you’re interested in design, or contact me to discuss your own graphic design requirements!
By MacNessa, on April 10th, 2009%
1. Be a Good Listener
You’d be surprised how many advertising designers do not really listen to their clients properly. So much time, hassle and preliminary work can be saved if you simply listen properly to your clients need and do your best to interpret them.
2. Be Creative
There is nothing more disapointing for a client than to be presented with boring, run of the mill, seen everyday content. To be a good advertising designer, you need to be as creative as possible. Generate ideas by looking at the great designers work, but NEVER copy.
3. Be Inspired
Don’t be afraid to try something new. If you are unfamiliar with a certain technique, go and ask for help from someone who is good at it. Reach for the stars. Your effort will show through in your work, and your client will be pleased.
4. Be Bold
Always present the idea that your client asked for first. It will show that you listened, put them at ease, and will immediately be in their good books which will make the next step much easier. The next step is where it really gets interesting for an advertising designer. Now, is when you present the idea that you think is better, and more developed than the idea the client wanted. Chances are they’ll go for it, and you will have over delivered on your promise, which will in due course bring you more business as your client gushes to all their industry contacts what a great job you did.
5. Be Pragmatic
In other words, be accepting and gracious in the final decision of the client. Put your pride aside if they go with the original design, and remember, even if you know better, either way you’re still getting paid, and you can move onto your ever growing pile of new graphic design jobs.

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