Glossary - Ensuring we are all on the same page
FREELANCE
Definition:
A self-employed professional, typically in creative fields like web design, product design, visual design, illustration, or art, who works independently for various clients without committing to a single employer. Freelancers set their own terms, rates, choose their projects, and often juggle multiple deadlines, all while ensuring their own bills are paid to keep the internet and lights on while working on your “urgent” revision.Reality Check:
While the “free” in freelance might sound appealing, it doesn’t mean the work is free. As the saying goes, “freelance isn’t free”. Dentists don’t go fixing their friends’ teeth for free, so stop asking your freelance designer friend to whip up your logo “just for exposure.”Pro Tip:
Freelancers are professionals, not hobbyists. Respect their time, expertise, and rates. If you want to haggle over the price, please take your business elsewhere or design it yourself. Come back after you realise that you can only have 2 out of these 3 at a time:- fast
- cheap
- quality / good design
- For more info refer to
CONSULTATION FEE (1 HOUR SESSION)
Definition:
A professional service charge covering a one-hour meeting with DESIGNERD to understand a client’s upfront business needs, goals, and project requirements before preparing a tailored proposal.
Reality Check:
Let’s be honest: half of this hour is spent decoding your “original” idea through a mix of telepathy and guesswork—especially when you’re not entirely sure what you want yet. This fee ensures there’s a reason for me to attempt mind-reading while you figure out your vision or ask me to help you create that vision for you. Think of it as the cover charge for a quality brainstorming session—if you want the deep dive and the designer’s insights, it’s only fair to tip the bouncer at the door.Pro Tip:
Paying a consultation fee not only respects the designer’s time but also ensures you start your project on the right foot, backed by expert advice and a clear direction. Because free advice is often worth exactly what you paid for it!
WHAT YOU NEED TO PROVIDE BEFORE OUR MEETING
Business Details
- Official Business Name
- Registration Number
- VAT Number (if applicable)
- Business Address
- Full Name of the Representative (with signing authority)
The Business details will be used to issue an accurate invoice and streamline our consultation process.
- Project Information (if this exists)
- Company Profile
- Current Brand Assets (logos, style guides, etc.)
- Existing Website and/or Social Media Profiles
- Specific Goals or Challenges You Would Like to Address
- Any Relevant Documents or References You Would Like to Discuss
Providing these in advance ensures we can dive straight into a productive discussion. If these items do not exist, then we can discuss this in our consultation session.
SESSION LOGISTICS
Payment & Booking
- Full payment is required upon booking to secure your one-hour slot.
- Once payment is confirmed, you will receive the meeting link and further instructions.
Cancellations & Refunds
- Cancellations made less than 4 hours prior to the session are non-refundable.
- If you need to reschedule, please do so at least 24 hours in advance.
Technical Requirements
- A stable internet connection is essential for a smooth video or audio call.
- Please test your microphone and camera (if applicable) before the session.
- Join the meeting on time so we can make the most of our hour together.
Maximising Your Consultation
- Arrive Prepared: Know your questions, objectives, and what you hope to achieve.
- Share Materials in Advance: Send any relevant files (brand guidelines, website logins, etc.) before the meeting.
Engage Fully: Be ready to discuss potential strategies, take notes, and ask follow-up questions.
BOOK 1 HOUR BUSINESS NEEDS ANALYSIS CONSULTATION WITH DESIGNERD
CLIENT TAKE-ON FEE
In traditional business agreements, a “client take-on fee” (also known as an “onboarding fee” or “initial setup fee”) is typically a one-off charge that covers the initial administrative and logistical costs associated with beginning a new client relationship. Here’s what this fee usually includes and why it is used:
1. Purpose of a Client Take-On Fee
- Preparation and Planning: This fee compensates the service provider for the time and resources required to set up the client’s account, understand the client’s requirements, create project plans, and allocate resources.
- Opportunity Cost: It recognises the time the provider dedicates specifically to the new client, which might otherwise be spent on other clients or projects. This is especially relevant for freelancers and small teams, where time is a direct resource.
- Upfront Investment in Research and Strategy: For projects requiring extensive research, design planning, or strategy sessions before main work begins, this fee helps cover those initial stages, which are crucial for successful project outcomes.
2. What a Client Take-On Fee Usually Covers
- Client Meetings and Consultations: Time spent with the client to understand their goals, challenges, and project scope.
- Project Scoping and Documentation: Initial work, such as creating project scopes, timelines, and deliverables, based on the client’s needs.
- Setup of Systems and Tools: Depending on the project, this could involve setting up project management systems, collaboration tools, or technology platforms tailored to the client.
- Administrative Setup: Covers necessary legal documents, agreements, and the setup of invoicing or payment systems.
3. Industry Use of Client Take-On Fees
- Consulting and Freelance Services: Frequently used by consultants, creative professionals, and agencies who invest significant upfront time to ensure they understand the project thoroughly and can deliver a bespoke solution.
- Retainer Agreements: Many businesses, especially in design, legal, or marketing services, apply this fee when intending to retain the client on a recurring or retainer basis, as it helps offset initial onboarding costs.
4. Benefits of a Client Take-On Fee
- Security for the Service Provider: Ensures the client has a financial commitment, discouraging non-serious enquiries and reducing risks of unpaid work.
- Establishes a Professional Tone: Indicates that the service provider has established processes and values their time, setting a clear expectation for a serious business relationship.
- Supports Project Success: Allows the service provider to begin the project with clarity and alignment, having properly understood and prepared for the client’s needs.
In essence, a client take-on fee is a well-established practice in many industries to cover the initial costs of client onboarding, demonstrating the provider’s commitment to quality work and a smooth start to the partnership.
hANDOVER FEE
- Definition:
A payment made to a freelance designer, artist, or creative professional to compensate for the transfer of final project files, intellectual property rights, or deliverables to the client. This fee covers the professional’s time spent preparing, organising, and ensuring the assets meet the client’s requirements. - Reality Check:
Think of it like paying for the keys to a shiny new car—you wouldn’t drive off without settling up. And no, the handover fee isn’t just for clicking “Save As”; it’s for ensuring you get polished, print-ready, or web assets/logins, templates and usable files (and not something your cat could’ve doodled). - Pro Tip:
The handover fee is a standard part of professional agreements. It ensures both parties are happy—clients get their files, and freelancers get their worth. No fee? No files. It’s that simple! - For more info, refer to handover terms and conditions.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
Definition
Intellectual property rights protect the designs, concepts, illustrations, and strategies created by Designerd and its subcontractors. These rights ensure all creative outputs cannot be used, copied, or redistributed without proper authorisation. Ownership transfers to Designerd upon full payment to subcontractors for their completed work.
Reality Check
When working with Designerd, all original work—including subcontracted work—remains the intellectual property of Designerd unless explicitly agreed otherwise in writing. Assets such as text and photography provided by you remain yours, but creative outputs—like designs, commissioned illustrations, and licensed images—are owned and protected by Designerd. For subcontracted work, Designerd ensures intellectual property is transferred to us once full payment is made to the subcontractor. Breaching these terms could result in legal action.
Pro Tip
Review and understand licensing terms in your agreement. If you wish to use materials beyond the agreed project scope, contact us to discuss licensing or additional usage rights. Remember, protecting intellectual property protects the work you invested in and ensures top-tier quality.
For More Info
iNTELLECTUAL PROPERTY FEE
- Definition:
A payment made to a freelance designer, artist, or creative professional for the transfer of full ownership and rights to the intellectual property (IP) created during a project. This fee compensates the creator for relinquishing their legal rights to the work, granting the client exclusive usage, reproduction, and distribution rights. - Reality Check:
Think of it like owning a recipe from a top chef. If you’re working directly with the chef (or freelancer) to bake the goods (or create branded items like T-shirts), you don’t need to buy the recipe (IP). But if you want to take that recipe to another baker (manufacturer or service provider), it’s time to pay the IP fee. - Pro Tip:
The IP fee doesn’t just cover the work done—it ensures the client can freely use the design or creative work with anyone else, without ongoing reliance on the freelancer. Until you pay the IP fee, it’s exclusive to your partnership with the original creator. Want to switch manufacturers? Settle the IP fee first! (Monthly or Annual licensing options are also available if you don’t want to pay the IP fee in full)
CLIENT AND CONSULTANT DATABASE COLLABORATION
Definition:
A professional arrangement where a consultant (or service provider) and a client share access to a database of contacts, leads, or project information to facilitate collaboration. This partnership is based on mutual trust, with clear agreements to protect proprietary information, prevent misuse, and ensure ethical practices.Reality Check:
Collaboration doesn’t mean a free-for-all. Sharing a database is like lending someone your prized recipe book—you expect them to follow the rules and not photocopy it to start their own restaurant.Pro Tip:
Don’t ask me for my clients, my network of designers or anything. I do not work without contracts, because working in good faith has only gotten me stepped on by people like you. If you won’t sign my contract, work with someone else. Contracts exist for a reason, to prevent either party from bypassing the other to directly contact clients or suppliers for personal gain. A well-defined collaboration protects everyone involved—and avoids awkward “you stole my client or my designers” conversations.- For more info refer to Client and Consultant Database Collab Terms and Conditions
FEEDBACK
We respect the rights of everyone we come into contact with, whether they are Entrepreneurs, Freelancers, NGO’s, SME’s, Soleprops, Creators, Contractors, as well as our Participants, Clients, Customers, Beneficiaries, Sponsored or Volunteered Projects or Collaborators. We are committed to facilitating a clear understanding of how and when creative work can be used and how work should be executed in a reasonable, fair and ethical way.
Reach out if you wish to discuss any discrepancies in your understanding of our terminology. Or if you would like to clarify any parts of our contracts, agreements, processes, NDA’s, policies or any of our documentation.
Please contact the website’s owner: email info@designerd.co.za
Updated: 6 Nov 2024 – Originally posted Nov 2019
Book Needs Analysis Consultation 1 hour session
Below are some concept designs I have worked on previously, to help you best understand my approach and how best we can collaborate.
