What Is My Price Tag?

[Deep Dish]

I am launching a small production studio which will design top-notch professional-grade graphics. I'm not sure if I could call it an ad agency, but I will essentially be doing just that. Please look at the following graphics and ask yourself what is the maximum you would be willing to pay someone for that caliber of quality? $25/hour? $50? $75? (Or whatever?)

CM Studios
I <3 Techno
Anatomy of a Flier
Anatomy of a Beach Party

Do bear in mind this portfolio is very limited right now because I took a seven year hiatus from graphic design and lost all my work. This is stuff I've made in just the past two weeks.

 

[mpimpin]

Not sure about the hourly rate. The only experience I have is paying a graphics designer a set rate based off of their rates and materials.

I liked the designs. You might consider investing in being able to print and cut vinyl designs and lettering etc. and even offer to create websites.

 

[speakeasy]

I am launching a small production studio which will design top-notch professional-grade graphics. I'm not sure if I could call it an ad agency, but I will essentially be doing just that. Please look at the following graphics and ask yourself what is the maximum you would be willing to pay someone for that caliber of quality? $25/hour? $50? $75? (Or whatever?)

CM Studios
I <3 Techno
Anatomy of a Flier
Anatomy of a Beach Party

Do bear in mind this portfolio is very limited right now because I took a seven year hiatus from graphic design and lost all my work. This is stuff I've made in just the past two weeks.

Those are extremely difficult questions to answer. Because you can think you are "worth" a certain amount, but in reality, you can only command what the market will bear. I couldn't see do anything graphic work for less than $50/hr and I currently charge $75/hr. Think also that car mechanics, electricians and plumbers often charge at least $100/hr for labor, so in terms of other contract work, it's not that high. Also depends on where you live. If you live in a very pricey place like NYC, you have to charge the higher end. If you live in Omaha, you might only charge $25/hr. If you are not getting clients, you have to lower your rates, if you have more work than you can handle, then it means your prices are too low. Only way to figure out what your proper price is, is through experience. There's a REALLY great site that can help you out: www.freelanceswitch.com

 

[STR8UP]

Those are extremely difficult questions to answer. Because you can think you are "worth" a certain amount, but in reality, you can only command what the market will bear.

I agree....with one disclaimer- I would gladly pay a little bit more for a talented designer who has a good work ethic.

Work ethic is really key. I have dealt with so many jackleg designers in my business career, it forced me to learn photoshop myself.

I can tell you have talent. Now it's up to you to blow people away by meeting deadlines and going above and beyond with your service. It isn't just about a jpeg or a pdf....be a "designer for the people" and the market will pay you what you are worth, trust me.

 

[speakeasy]

I agree....with one disclaimer- I would gladly pay a little bit more for a talented designer who has a good work ethic.

Work ethic is really key. I have dealt with so many jackleg designers in my business career, it forced me to learn photoshop myself.

No kidding. The type of person that gravitates toward graphic design and arts in general is often the slacker that hates the business world and corporate culture. So many designers are so flaky and wishy-washy it can be painful. I think if you're a talented designer with a serious business demeanor, you should do good.

 

[STR8UP]

No kidding. The type of person that gravitates toward graphic design and arts in general is often the slacker that hates the business world and corporate culture. So many designers are so flaky and wishy-washy it can be painful. I think if you're a talented designer with a serious business demeanor, you should do good.

With my talent and business experience I could command high prices for media creation. Only problem is that no matter how much the market would be willing to pay for my services, my other talents are much more valuable. that's why I use my knowledge of design to direct others. You can create a very talented team with a strong leader and some talented tech people.

 

[speakeasy]

With my talent and business experience I could command high prices for media creation. Only problem is that no matter how much the market would be willing to pay for my services, my other talents are much more valuable. that's why I use my knowledge of design to direct others. You can create a very talented team with a strong leader and some talented tech people.

What do you do if I may ask?

 

[Deep Dish]

Here is another design hot out of the oven. I turned my initials into a 3D atomic model. It was completed at 3 in the morning and for some reason the midnight hours are always when my creative juices flow the strongest.

Atomized

speakeasy:
Because you can think you are "worth" a certain amount, but in reality, you can only command what the market will bear.

That is certainly true. I actually plan to be structured on a flat rate, as the accounting practices of hourly rates are too cumbersome and tricky, and I figured, when giving quotes, I would multiply the estimated time by an hourly rate to derive the flat rate. But I think you probably are right that the only way to know is by experience. My primary specialty will be in doing graphic design for DJ gigs and concerts, and even though the competition is crowded, I'm confident of success because of my talent and network of social contacts. I see professional party fliers all the time and even though many look great, I can tell almost everybody simply splashes some text onto stock imagery and nobody is really doing what I will do.

mpimpin:
You might consider investing in being able to print and cut vinyl designs and lettering etc. and even offer to create websites.

Hmmm, I never thought about vinyl.

 

[speakeasy]

Here is another design hot out of the oven. I turned my initials into a 3D atomic model. It was completed at 3 in the morning and for some reason the midnight hours are always when my creative juices flow the strongest.

Atomized



That is certainly true. I actually plan to be structured on a flat rate, as the accounting practices of hourly rates are too cumbersome and tricky, and I figured, when giving quotes, I would multiply the estimated time by an hourly rate to derive the flat rate. But I think you probably are right that the only way to know is by experience. My primary specialty will be in doing graphic design for DJ gigs and concerts, and even though the competition is crowded, I'm confident of success because of my talent and network of social contacts. I see professional party fliers all the time and even though many look great, I can tell almost everybody simply splashes some text onto stock imagery and nobody is really doing what I will do.Hmmm, I never thought about vinyl.

Keep in mind, if you enjoy creating graphics like that, you can sell your work to a stock imagery company. They are always looking for fresh new designs, and you get commission everytime somebody buys it. Same thing if you are a photographer.