FAQ

That depends on if you can say "creative communication consultation" five times fast without scowling. I base this fee on the demands of each project. For small business looking to get the most out of their upcoming projects or hoping to retain a small and happy art department, this can range from a series of four, one-hour, rapid-fire advice rounds ($1000) to a full-scale audit and customized plan ($3000-5000). Or, we can work together on an hourly basis. For larger business, or for one-on-one consultations with executives looking to become more effective reaching their goals with creative agencies and their own creative departments, I recommend a 20-hour (or greater) audit. This will give us an initial baseline of what is and isn't working in your company. My rate is $175 with a four-hour project minimum. I'm open to retainer agreements if it suits your goals and my availability.

My weekday rate is $850 for eight hours. Weekends and holidays are time-and-a-half. Some clients prefer a flat fee based on an estimate, but most prefer to hire me daily/hourly. For some jobs there is also a licencing fee or profit sharing. But for sketch art, and storyboards it's just the day/hour rate.

This depends mostly on the variables you and your end-client set. As a rule of thumb I can do either 1 small finished illustration, 4 polished sketches, 18 shaded storyboard frames, or 24 looser shooting boards. But a much more reliable estimate is possible if your project scope is understood.

I hold no art or business secrets! If you want to show me your work, I'll give you an honest answer on whether or not I think you'd do well in sketch art or storyboarding. In my experience, it's more common for people to think they're ready for those fields a bit before they really are. But don't be discouraged if that's the case! There are plenty of exercises you can do to sure up any areas of inexperience. This is a highly competitive industry—but, by and large, the people who do storyboards and sketch art are super supportive. I give visual artists trying to break into the advertising and entertainment business free consultations. And, if/when you're ready for work, I'll refer clients to you when I'm over-booked or they aren't able to budget for my rate.

Surprisingly, no. While it's certainly a flex I take full advantage of, I don't think it's a very big factor in securing work. I'm confident that most of my clients have never seen my client list. First-time clients hire me based on my reputation and my portfolio. And returning clients hire me based on their experience of working with me. Ninety percent or more of my work comes from returning clients, and I think they're pretty indifferent to my big brand flexing. One possible advantage to having worked with big brands is getting the experience of working on a big budget project. You can take that experience to all your projects no matter the scale.

Basically, I take NDAs very seriously. If you want confirmation regarding my experience, I'm happy to furnish you with references from creative directors I've worked with.

I get this question every month or so. Please don't be embarrassed! Generally I don't take on work that doesn't meet my rate. But there are a few notable exceptions. Is this for a nonprofit cause? Is it a profit-sharing venture, and do you have an established audience that you feel matches my level of experience? If your project doesn't meet either of the above criteria, you're still welcome to ask me for a referral for another artist.