Do you charge hourly?

Typically we charge flat project fees. Each quote we send is value-based, meaning you’re paying for the value and ROI of the finished deliverable or service, not necessarily the time spent creating or refining it. We do bill hourly for consulting work, retainers, and certain small deliverables and updates for existing clients.

AT What price point do most projects start?

Brand Strategy

We build brands from scratch for startups, and redesign and expand existing brands for established brands. Our proven brand strategy process lays the foundation for visual & verbal brand identity projects.

Our proven discovery and strategy process is customized to fit the needs of each client. The discovery phase includes research, brand analysis, market research and positioning, brand worksheets and mood boards, facilitated workshops and interviews with key stakeholders, and project road mapping. The discovery phase culminates in a rock-solid brand strategy, project plan, and direction for creative work and concept development to begin.

Together, we develop a comprehensive document to refer to throughout the brand-building process, a north star, ensuring that we meet project goals, address pain points and gaps, and develop a brand that meets your objectives and speaks directly to your target audience.

Brand Identity

Brand Identity projects include brand audits, market research, mood boards, worksheets, creative direction, concept development, brand architecture, logo suites, secondary graphics, brand font selections, a color palette, social media graphics, collateral, and comprehensive brand guidelines.

Brand Identity packages range in cost based on the size and complexity of the project and scope of work. Packages are customized to fit your brand’s unique needs, objectives, pain points, parameters and scope.

The range of investment for a Starter Visual Identity is typically between $6,000 - $10,000. The base package includes brand strategy, a simple logo set including a wordmark and monogram, a custom color palette, and supporting fonts.

The range of investment for a Full Custom Visual Identity System & Brand Guidelines is typically between $12,000 - $24,000. The base package includes everything included in a Starter Visual Identity, plus a more in depth discovery and brand strategy phase, brand architecture, a full suite of custom logo orientations (brand mark, word mark, monogram, vertical and horizontal logos, etc.). This package also include additional brand assets such as custom brand patterns, illustrations, and icons, and comprehensive Brand Guidelines ensuring cohesive and consistent use of all brand assets across channels by your team, vendors, and partners. This package also includes multiple pieces of print and digital collateral, such as branded social media and email marketing templates, stationary, apparel, signage, postcards, email signatures, etc.

Naming & Messaging

We love naming and renaming brands and products, and are inevitably thrilled to support those names by developing strategic and thoughtful messaging points and copy, including taglines, mission statements, SEO-friendly copy for websites, traits & storytelling for packaging, and engaging brand stories.

Please inquire here for pricing.

Packaging Systems

We create packaging design systems for consumer packaged goods (both direct to consumer and retail). Our packaging experience is mainly in food, beverage, and wellness, but we work across many different sectors.

The range of investment for Packaging for a single product is typically in the $2,000 - $5,000 range.

Cost is determined based on several factors, including the total number of SKUs and the complexity of the packaging system. We offer discounts for projects with multiple SKUs. Complexity increases if we’re involved in sourcing, writing messaging and key traits, creating custom illustration, photo, and hand lettering assets, creating secondary and tertiary packaging elements as well as labels, etc.

We create packaging systems using existing visual identity systems if we feel they are viable, but we typically develop both visual identity and packaging systems simultaneously.

Websites

We design and build informational and e-commerce websites. The process includes an audit, research, content strategy, UX/UI design, wireframes, responsive design, development, launch, tutorials & debugging.

There is a wide range of costs for websites, as they vary greatly, depending on whether they’re template-based or custom-built, what platform they’re on, what functionality and integrations are needed, page count, whether or not a client comes to us with viable copy, photography and visual identity assets, and whether or not we need to bring in a developer.

The range of investment for a Starter Website (template-based) is typically in the $6,000 - $8,000 range. A simple landing page is a smaller investment, and a complex e-commerce store is a bigger investment.

We bring on a developer when we build a Custom Websites or apps from scratch. Please inquire here about pricing.

We use Squarespace, Webflow, Readymag, Shopify, Wordpress, and other platforms, based on the needs of each project.

Other

• We develop social media and email marketing strategies, and create content and campaigns. and ad campaigns. We bring on copywriters, stylists, brand photographers, and videographers as needed.

• We art direct and produce photo and video shoots. We bring on trusted creatives to fit the needs of each individual project, including stylists and photographers. You can work with us to create an arsenal of custom content for your brand, including on-brand lifestyle and product photography.

• We design signage & wayfinding systems, trade show booths, POP displays, environmental experiences, apparel, murals, and more.

• We also create custom illustrations, patterns, and hand lettering pieces for brands, editorial, book covers, environmental spaces, textiles, and other print and digital applications.

• We create corporate and non-profit collateral, including event branding, impact reports, pitch decks, fundraising materials, and more.

• We do all sorts of unique special projects, so if you can dream it, we can probably do it! Let us know what you’re dreaming up at hello@sophiewedd.com.

Our fees include:

• Operating costs, taxes, and our team

• Client calls, emails, and meetings

• An audit of your existing brand presence

• Time for research and discovery

• Market and audience research

• Mockups, mood boards, and renderings

• Sourcing and managing vendors and materials

• Pre-press, print management, and production

• Asset preparation and delivery

• Client education on how to use your new branding, website, etc. and ongoing support

• Access to our network of trusted experts, vendors, suppliers, and the creative pros we bring on for certain projects. With over a decade spent in the design world, we've grown an extensive network of knowledgeable resources, and we conduct outreach to these partners to tie their expertise into the work we create.

• Promoting your business on all of our marketing channels, with your permission, every chance we get!

• A percentage of each investment you make with SWD also goes to causes we’re passionate about; climate action and environmental justice, equity, access, and the wellbeing of people from underserved communities.

Why do your prices start there?

Clients who choose to work with us do so because they believe in investing in top-notch, conversion-oriented services, not just a fast, cheap final product. We produce a strong ROI and help clients to create a valuable, lasting bond with their target audience.

If your focus is on keeping costs low (rather than custom, expert, strategic results), you’re in the wrong place and might be better off using a marketplace like Fiverr. Companies who hire us are looking for experts with in-depth industry knowledge and a proven track record for result-driven, high-quality, and specialty branding.

Sliding-Scale Services

We offer pro bono services to several initiatives each year, that align with our values around community building, social good, and environmental justice. Reach out here if that sounds like you!

We aim to help create a more equitable, inclusive, diverse, and accessible society, through representation of talent in the design industry. We seek to work with vendors, freelancers, and other creative businesses owned by Black, Indigenous, and Non-Black People of Color.

What’s the process like for a new client?

Every new client follows this process:

1. Once you’ve read this over, schedule a discovery call if you think we could be a good fit. We’ll chat about your business, audience, needs, pain points and goals. We will also dig into your timeline and budget. After our call, we’ll put together a custom project plan and proposal.

2. Once the proposal is accepted, we’ll onboard you! This process includes a project questionnaire and collaborative mood board to work on ahead of our first kickoff meeting, an invoice for your deposit via FreshBooks, and a contract for your review & signature via Adobe Sign. It also includes a timeline* (with dates for meetings, milestones, feedback, and deliverables).  

   • Please note that timelines are based on a 3-day turnaround of feedback from clients. If feedback is not received within that time frame, the entire timeline will shift and be adjusted accordingly, in order for us to work effectively with our full roster of clients. If feedback is delayed too long, it could result in a pause fee or even termination of a project.

   • Depending on whether extra revisions or an expanded scope of work are needed as we go,
     the project could take several months longer
     than initially anticipated. We ask that you plan accordingly if you’re reaching out close to your launch date or ideal rollout.

3. We begin each project with a 60-90 minute kickoff meeting, where we’ll go over your project questionnaire, our initial mood board and research, and do some brainstorming together! This meeting will inform our next task of developing a strategy, conducting in-depth research, and developing several distinct concepts for your project.

4. Next, we present unique, thoughtfully developed concepts. Each concept has variations and application examples for your core use cases. Then, we’ll hone in on and finalize each deliverable together, through several rounds of revisions. Success is achieved through good communication and close collaboration.

   • Here’s a link to our Effective Feedback Guide,
     for those interested in previewing the process.

   • We never want to have you check in on us. Our goal is to keep you informed of where we’re at along the way. Once the final product is delivered, we’ll ask you to complete a brief exit survey.

5. We compile a robust and comprehensive package for each completed deliverable, including guidelines and a handoff training, which your team can reference ongoing. We’ll outline how to use each asset consistently and powerfully across brand touch points.

6. With your final approval, we’ll send over an invoice for the remainder of your balance, and then deliver your final package. 

7. We often work with clients to deploy their new branding across channels and touch points, designing or advising on print and digital applications. Clients will often return to us for help with smaller tasks, or as their business evolves, in the years that follow. We also have clients on retainer, who require ongoing support and services, and act as their out-of-house creative department.

8. Stay in touch! We love to follow along, and hear about all of your successes. We’re only an email away if you need help with anything after our project comes to an end.

Other FAQs:

1. Can I pay via credit card?

   Your invoice will provide guidance on the most convenient way for you to pay. We accept ACH bank transfers and checks. We alko accept credit cards, upon request, with an added processing fee.

2. What will my payment schedule look like?

   Typically, a 50% deposit is required, along with a 25% payment mid-project, and a 25% payment upon completion. However, we do offer custom payment plans on a case by case basis. Let us know if you’d like to discuss the options.

3. How many rounds of revisions do I get?

   That depends on which package you go with. Most projects include two rounds of revisions. If you need additional revisions, we bill for them at our studio rate of $200/hr for the agreed-upon work. This helps ensure we’re both on the same page from the start of the project.

4. How soon can you start?

   We typically have 1-2 openings for new clients each month, but those fill up quickly. The sooner we can start the conversation, the better.

5. How long will my project take?

   It depends on the scope of work, and other unique variables, but a basic brand identity or website project will typically take about 6-8 weeks to complete. More complex projects could take 12 months or longer to complete.