How we work
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Comissioning design.
A brief can be taken at the studio of Star or at the premises of the prospective client. The first stage requires a basic understanding of the prospective client's (PC) business and requirements. This stage is free and the PC is under no obligation. If the brief is very complex or requires a greater indepth review of the problems and solutions a Stage 1 report wil be quoted for, otherwise an estimate will be presented outlining the various stages and related fees. This could include comissioning and print or product.
Alternatively the PC can give Star a budget, and proposals as to how that budget would be allocated would be presented.

Stage One - design (set fee)
A design/s will be presented for client approval, eg an annual report would consist of a cover and two spreadsb or in the case of a website two or three pages to show style.
Budgets for outside comissions, typically photograhy, if not set would be reviewed. In many instances Stage One will determine the approach, eg, use of illustration, etc.

An additional stage to stage one would be the client alterations or designers corrections. Ensuring a full and correct brief is important as reguests that deviate from the approved brief, or requested alternatives, are chareged on an hourly basis. Should it be deemed that the designer has failed to answer the brief corrected designs would be resubmitted at no extra cost.

Stage Two - Implementation of approved design on a fixed fee basis.

If it is difficult to guage the amount of work involved the project would proceed on an hourly basis under a heading of 'Artwork'. An estimate of the number of hours would be given and under UK law this budget can be exceeded by upto 20% before having to seek approval from the client for addititional costs.

Either stage could typically involve comissioning illustration or photography, artdirection styling etc. For a brochure this would entail designing the remaining pages
Illustration and photography is submitted for approval before being incorporating into the design which is then submitted for client approval.

The approved design would be made ready for print. This is on an hourly basis under the heading of Artwork and would include archiving all material. In the case of a website this would be uploaded to the clients server (the Internet Service Providers computer).
Printing can be handled by the client or by Star. Star go to three or more printers who can produce the desired quality for the most competitive quote. All stages are monitored from proofs to passing work on the press for critical work.
For websites search engine ratings can be improved. Some search engines require a fee for ensuring that the site is near the top and this would be negotiated on behalf of the client.