Welcome to my design web site.
I am a freelance graphic designer with some 30 years experience in design for print.
Although my background is in the design of corporate and technical literature, I am loathe to pidgeonhole myself. Take a look at my portfolio and you will see quite a variety of work, including product and sales brochures, promotional material and editorial design et al.
Generally, I work direct to clients and projects are often taken from initial design concept, through design development to final artwork and print supervision. On occasion I have worked via client agencies including publishers, marketing agencies and design houses.
I have a straightforward approach to the design process but this doesn’t compromise the high standard of work which I attempt with each project. I also make every effort to complete work on time and within agreed budgets.
Examples of my digital art can currently be seen at:
www.saatchionline.com/steveparker
Canvas prints up to 24 x 24 inches can be ordered online. For larger prints and/or bespoke production please contact me direct.
Examples of my photography can currently be seen at:
Welcome to my design web site
I am a freelance graphic designer with over 30 years experience in design for print.
My background is in the design of corporate and technical literature, but if you take a look at my portfolio you will see quite a variety of other work, including product and sales brochures, promotional material and editorial design.
Generally, I work directly to clients and most projects are taken from initial design concept, through design development to final artwork and print supervision. Occasionally I work via publishers, marketing agencies and design houses.
I have a straightforward approach to the design process but this doesn’t compromise the high standard of work which I attempt with each project. I also make every effort to complete work on time and within agreed budgets.
Key qualifications
Liaising with clients at senior level, creating design briefs and budgets, communicating concepts and presenting design visuals.
Coordinating design projects, including commissioning and art directing photography, illustration, copywriting etc.
30 years experience in creating design concepts, preparing final artwork and print supervision.
Extensive experience of major design software including QuarkXpress, Illustrator, and Photoshop.
Current employment
1994 to date
steve parker graphic design
Clients include:
Educational institutions
Event organisers
Health practitioners
Professional consultancies
Publishers
PR and marketing agencies.
Manufacturers
Utility suppliers
Retailers
Service providers
Previous employment
1992-1994
Designer Reed Creative
1987-1992
Partner Parker Lombard
1984-87
Freelance Graphic Designer
1981-84
Head of Graphics HFA Hong Kong
1974-81
Senior Designer Halcrow Fox & Associates
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When dealing with a design project, it’s vital to write a design brief at the very beginning. There are two main reasons for this:
Firstly, it ensures that you know exactly what you want to achieve from your project. Second, the brief acts as a point of reference for the designer, giving them key points to focus on.
Consider including:
Corporate profile
Don’t assume that people know you. Incorrect assumptions can render opening discussions meaningless. Provide a summary of your business along with a brief history.
Market position
Provide a realistic evaluation of your company, service, or brand relative to your competitors.
Current situation
Explain why there is a need for this project. For instance, a new product or service that needs advertising.
Communication background
Include any previous and present communication activity, such as research, advertising, direct mail, public relations etc.
Communication message
What is the message in relation to your business plans? Include all information to be shown in the final design e.g. text, logos, images etc.
Target market
Demographics - the age, gender, income, employment, geography, lifestyle of those you want to reach.
Objectives
What do you want to achieve? Make your objectives specific.
Available budget
Your budget tells the designer if it’s worth their time initiating the design process. It is simply not feasible to spend the necessary time on design projects for companies with only a few hundred pounds allocated.
Schedule and deadline
Give a detailed and realistic schedule of how you wish the project to advance. Consider research, strategy, development of the brief, design concept and development, artwork, printing and delivery.
Realise that designers are professionals and should be treated as such.
Understand that designers are not mind readers.
Before briefing a designer, have your brief and plan-of-action ready.
Understand the goal of your project, the ideas you want to convey and who your target market is.
Understand your product or service and be able to explain it clearly. It definitely is a help to the designer if you clarify exactly what the project is for. Knowing this ahead of time can prevent future misunderstandings, in-effective design or troublesome production issues.
Understand it won’t be free. When people expect a design service for free (or cheap) it shows how little they think of the design and production process.
Communicate with the designer rather than dictate. If you have questions or concerns, voice them, and return the favour of listening.
Don’t try to design for the designer - you hired them for their knowledge and talent. Let them utilise that talent to put your company in the best light possible. Of course the designer should also take your opinions into consideration, especially when it deals with an industry-specific issue. It is a matter of communication from both sides.
Set expectations up-front. Both the client and designer need to let the other know what they expect as far as materials, deadlines and communication.
Will you meet on a regular basis?
Phone?
Emails?
How will you deliver materials?
Will you be there for press proofs?
How closely will you follow the progress of the project.
Make sure there are no surprises.
Design
This contract allows for one main
design plus the opportunity for you to make up to two rounds of revisions for each project commissioned, unless otherwise specified in the project brief. If you're not happy with the design at that stage, you will pay me in full for all of the work that I have produced up to that point and
you may either cancel this contract
or continue to commission me to
make further design revisions at the
rate set out in my original estimate.
Text content
I am not responsible for writing or
inputting any text copy unless I
specified it in the original estimate.
I'll be happy to help though, and in
addition to the estimate I will charge you at the hourly/daily rate specified in the estimate.
Photographs
You will supply me with photographs either in digital or printed format. If you choose to buy photography I can suggest photographers or vendors of stock photography. Any time I spend searching for photographs will be charged for.
Changes and revisions
I know from experience that fixedprice contracts are rarely beneficial, as they often limit you to the first design idea. I don't want to limit your options or your opportunities to change your mind.
Estimated prices are based on the number of days that I think I'll need to accomplish everything that you have told me you want to achieve. If you want to change your mind or add extra items, that won't be a problem, but you will be charged accordingly. I might ask you to put requests in writing so I can keep track of changes.
Errors and omissions
It is your responsibility to check proofs carefully for accuracy in all respects, ranging from spelling to technical illustrations. I am not liable for errors or omissions. Your approval or that of your authorized representative is required for all designs and artwork prior to release for printing or other implementation.
I can't be liable to you or any third party for any damages, including incidental, consequential or special damages arising out of any such errors or omissions, even if you have advised me of the possibilities of such damages.
Copyright
You guarantee to me that any elements of text, graphics, photos, designs, trademarks, or other artwork that you provide for inclusion in any design project are either owned by your good selfs, or that you have permission to use them.
When I receive your final payment for a project, copyright of that project is assigned as follows:
You own the graphics and other visual elements that I create for you for each project and you may use or reproduce the design or the images therein for the purpose originally stipulated. You also own text content, photographs and other data you provided, unless someone else owns them.
I own all artwork, including any sketches, drawings, mock-ups or visuals, and any associated digital files used in the creation of the final design.
The rights to all design and artwork, including photography and or illustration created by independent photographers or illustrators and retained by me, or purchased from a stock agency on your behalf, remain with the individual designer, artist, photographer or illustrator.
If you wish to use the design I have created and/or the images within it for another purpose or project, you must first arrange with me for the transfer of all-rights and for the payment of any additional fees before proceeding.
Moral rights
I reserve the right to be identified as the author/creator of any work I produce for you and to display, distribute or publish it for my own promotional and marketing needs as part of my portfolio, and to write about the project on web sites, in magazine articles and in books about design.
Payment
I am sure you understand how important it is as a small business that you promptly pay the invoices that I send you. As I'm also sure you'll want to stay friends and you agree to stick tight to any agreed payment schedule.
Terms
Unless otherwise agreed, you are required to pay 50% of the estimated cost of each project to initiate the design process.
The remaining balance, including any additional charges, is payable on approval of the final design and prior to release of artwork.
Small print
If any provision of this agreement shall be unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision shall be deemed severable from this agreement and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions.
You cannot transfer this contract to anyone else without my permission.
This contract stays in place and need not be renewed. If for some reason one part of this contract becomes invalid or unenforceable, the remaining parts remain in place.
Although the language is simple, the intentions are serious and this contract is a legal document under exclusive jurisdiction of English courts.
Signatures
Everyone should sign above and keep a copy for their records.
Here is a sample agreement covering typical aspects of a working relationship. Clients who wish to hire me for ongoing and/or substantial projects will be asked to sign this agreement.
General
I will always do my best to fulfill your needs and meet your goals, but sometimes it is best to have a few simple things written down so that we both know what is what, who should do what and what happens if stuff goes wrong.
In this contract you won't find complicated legal terms or large passages of unreadable text. I have no desire to trick you into signing something that you might later regret. I do want what's best for both parties, now and in the future.
Scope
This document defines the terms and conditions of our working relationship. All projects or services that I may be contracted to produce or provide for you will be subject to the following:
What we both agree to do
As my customer, you have the power and ability to enter into this contract on behalf of your company or organization.
You agree to provide me with everything that I need to complete the project including text, images and other information as and when I need it, and in the format that I ask for. You agree to review my work, provide feedback and sign-off approval in a timely manner too.
Deadlines work two ways and you will also be bound by any dates that we set together. You also agree to stick to the payment schedule set out at the end of this contract.
I have the experience and ability to perform the services you need from me and I will carry them out in a professional and timely manner.
Along the way I will endeavor to meet all the deadlines set but I can't be responsible for a missed launch date or a deadline if you have been late in supplying materials or have not approved or signed off my work on-time at any stage. On top of this I will also maintain the confidentiality of any information that you give me.
Design
This contract allows for one main design plus the opportunity for you to make up to two rounds of revisions for each project commissioned, unless otherwise specified in the project brief. If you're not happy with the design at that stage, you will pay me in full for all of the work that I have produced up to that point and
you may either cancel this contract
or continue to commission me to
make further design revisions at the
rate set out in my original estimate.
Text content
I am not responsible for writing or
inputting any text copy unless I
specified it in the original estimate.
I'll be happy to help though, and in
addition to the estimate I will charge you at the hourly/daily rate specified in the estimate.
Photographs
You will supply me with photographs either in digital or printed format. If you choose to buy photography I can suggest photographers or vendors of stock photography. Any time I spend searching for photographs will be charged for.
Changes and revisions
I know from experience that fixed-price contracts are rarely beneficial, as they often limit you to the first design idea. I don't want to limit your options or your opportunities to change your mind.
Estimated prices are based on the number of days that I think I'll need to accomplish everything that you have told me you want to achieve. If you want to change your mind or add extra items, that won't be a problem, but you will be charged accordingly. I might ask you to put requests in writing so I can keep track of changes.
Errors and omissions
It is your responsibility to check proofs carefully for accuracy in all respects, ranging from spelling to technical illustrations. I am not liable for errors or omissions. Your approval or that of your authorized representative is required for all designs and artwork prior to release for printing or other implementation.
I can't be liable to you or any third party for any damages, including incidental, consequential or special damages arising out of any such errors or omissions, even if you have advised me of the possibilities of such damages.
Copyright
You guarantee to me that any elements of text, graphics, photos, designs, trademarks, or other artwork that you provide for inclusion in any design project are either owned by your good selfs, or that you have permission to use them.
When I receive your final payment for a project, copyright of that project is assigned as follows:
You own the graphics and other visual elements that I create for you for each project and you may use or reproduce the design or the images therein for the purpose originally stipulated. You also own text content, photographs and other data you provided, unless someone else owns them.
I own all artwork, including any sketches, drawings, mock-ups or visuals, and any associated digital files used in the creation of the final design.
The rights to all design and artwork, including photography and or illustration created by independent photographers or illustrators and retained by me, or purchased from a stock agency on your behalf, remain with the individual designer, artist, photographer or illustrator.
If you wish to use the design I have created and/or the images within it for another purpose or project, you must first arrange with me for the transfer of all-rights and for the payment of any additional fees before proceeding.
Moral rights
I reserve the right to be identified as the author/creator of any work I produce for you and to display, distribute or publish it for my own promotional and marketing needs as part of my portfolio, and to write about the project on web sites, in magazine articles and in books about design.
Payment
I am sure you understand how important it is as a small business that you promptly pay the invoices that I send you. As I'm also sure you'll want to stay friends and you agree to stick tight to any agreed payment schedule.
Terms
Unless otherwise agreed, you are required to pay 50% of the estimated cost of each project to initiate the design process.
The remaining balance, including any additional charges, is payable on approval of the final design and prior to release of artwork.
Small print
If any provision of this agreement shall be unlawful, void, or for any reason unenforceable, then that provision shall be deemed severable from this agreement and shall not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions.
You cannot transfer this contract to anyone else without my permission.
This contract stays in place and need not be renewed. If for some reason one part of this contract becomes invalid or unenforceable, the remaining parts remain in place.
Although the language is simple, the intentions are serious and this contract is a legal document under exclusive jurisdiction of English courts.
