“A bird doesn’t sing because it has the answer,
it sings because it has the song.”
~Maya Angelou
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
General
Why Calliope Design Inc.?
I believe providing the best possible service to others is a wonderful privilege and mutually beneficial for everyone in the long run.
Design and art is relational. The purpose of design and art is to make a lasting impression that raises vibration and enhances the quality of our clients’ businesses and lives. Personal growth comes about organically as we succeed when our clients succeed.
What is Calliope Design’s philosophy?
Clients are not all cut from the same cloth. While the creative process is the same, client wants and needs differ. And so, I take a boutique-style consultative approach in a mindful and collaborative fashion with careful attention to detail to tend to each client’s specific goals, needs and requirements. And this is what makes each client special.
Who is Calliope Design’s client?
I appreciate working with people who are human and love what they do while making their mark in the world being of service too. Calliope Design has two creative arms:
Brand Identity Design. Solopreneurs to funded start-ups and small-to midsize businesses to in-house client teams who have a solid vision and ready to move forward actualizing their brand identity.
Art Décor. Mindful homeowners who appreciate the value of and love art, companies who aspire to inspire their employees and visitors alike as part of their brand strategy and strategic partners such as other creative makers, art consultants and interior designers interested in elevating and humanizing spaces in a collaborative manner.
What if we are in a different city?
I work with clients who are local and beyond the Chicago area. Today, most communication occurs via the phone, email and video conference calls anyway. Gotta love technology!
What do you expect from a client?
It’s okay that you may not know design terms to describe your specific needs yet. As long as you have a clear plan, goals and vision, we can work together. A key factor for success though is to have an open mind and be relaxed during the creative process.
All projects start off with a discovery session and questionnaire to better understand your specific needs and requirements. It helps clarity sink in more and provides us with a roadmap that leads us through the creative process from conception to connection.
What is your pricing structure?
Calliope Design provides two packages for brand brand identity projects. Currently cost estimates are provided for custom-designed art decor. Additional services or revisions that go beyond scope are billed hourly for both services.
Credit cards are accepted. There is a 3.49% processing fee is applied if a project is paid by credit card.
What payment methods do you accept?
Calliope Design accepts the following methods of payment: Visa, Mastercard, American Express and PayPal.
What does Calliope Design’s team look like?
Even though Calliope Design is a one-person team, I collaborate with a few trusted partners and manage a project team remotely on an as needed basis. I do consider clients as part of the team because their input at various phases of a project’s life cycle is mutually beneficial for a smooth process and relationship building!
What happens is a project is cancelled?
For client convenience, cancellations are effective immediately upon written notice with a brief description why they need to cancel. Cancellations can be made at any time by either party or by mutual agreement of both parties.
The contract provided at the beginning of the project outlines the obligations and terms in the event of a cancellation.
How does Calliope Design use finished projects?
Finished projects along with testimonials are milestones, noteworthy and a part of everyday business. Calliope Design reserves the right to use completed projects for portfolio and marketing purposes.
Identity Design
How do I know if we are good fit?
Finding someone you connect with makes for a successful collaborative relationship and a beautiful final product. I enjoy working with different kinds of people in different industries. And yet, my creative process remains the same.
Overall, if I had to describe my design style, it’s clean and contemporary with a twist that puts your style stamp on it. Feel free to peruse my portfolio to ensure your vision and my style is a good match and something you feel comfortable with.
Conversely, if I feel I may not be the best person for you after our initial conversation, I will let you know and may be able to refer you to someone who can provide you what you need.
What role does a client have in the creative process?
Client commitment, enthusiasm, flexibility and input are important and valued.
Before any creative direction and design work can begin, a creative questionnaire is provided at the beginning. The creative questionnaire is an essential tool that helps you get clear on what you want to achieve with your new brand identity. It also provides a roadmap to follow for mutual clarity and efficiency sake. It covers the gamut of what business situation you need to solve, your timeline, your budget, goals, who your target audience is right down to your design style and the art direction your project will take.
How does payment work?
What is a normal turn-around time to complete a brand identity project?
Brand identity projects range from a minimum of 3 weeks up to 3 months. Turnaround time depends upon on the specific project at hand, planning, the number of deliverables and other variables such as the client providing clear communication and feedback in a timely fashion.
How many revisions do I get?
To help us stay focused and be efficient, 2 rounds of revisions are included in all proposals. Additional revisions beyond that are billed at an hourly rate, which is noted in our signed agreement.
When it comes to providing client feedback, I do require having all comments and change requests, from all parties involved if there isn’t one decision maker, in one written document. This helps save time and ensure that nothing gets missed.
Do you provide copywriting services?
Copywriting is a completely different role and skillset. I can help with simple copywriting such as naming and taglines.
Do you provide web development services?
Your web site is another aspect of your brand’s identity and is important to have in today’s business environment. However, web design and development is a niche service all on its own. I always recommend finding a dedicated independent developer or company that focuses on web design and development. With that said, I do collaborate with a few independent developers I can refer that I consult with on brand identity design.
Can you manage the print process for my project?
Unfortunately at this time, I no longer manage the printing process. However, I can make up to two recommendations. And, clients who already have their trusted print vendors, I’m happy to consult with and supply print-ready files directly to their printer to ensure the best outcome.
How will I receive my brand identity design project once it’s finished?
A finished project is yours upon receipt of final payment. Your new brand identity design will be supplied to you in the appropriate electronic file formats and sent either through e-mail or file transfer service that is free of charge to you. We also keep a copy of your project on file for a limited time for later updates or should you lose your copy.
When can we start?
I take on a few projects at a time. This helps ensure each client receives his or her deserved attention. Please contact us to check availability.
Art Décor
How do I know if we are good fit?
Overall, if I had to describe my art style, it can be many things depending on intention, feeling and mood. I have never really subscribed to any particular style. I have always let inspiration take the lead.
The main medium outputs have been contemporary style mosaics and mixed media wall art. New art décor options are in the works to make art accessible for everyone. The mosaic artwork can be movable wall art panels or permanent installations for walls and floors where the goal is to create an enticing focal point for a gathering space or a welcoming foyer entrance into a boutique store for example.
For people who prefer to purchase ready-made wall art décor, visit the shop here!
What is the client’s role in the creative process?
Client commitment, enthusiasm, flexibility and input are important and valued. After all custom-designed art is a personal distinct service.
Much like my brand identity projects, I have found providing a creative questionnaire as the first step to be of immense value and mutually beneficial. It covers the gamut from getting to know you, understanding the overall feeling you’d like to evoke, the intended space the artwork will live right down to your personal style and the things you love that inspire you.
How much do you charge for a custom-designed artwork?
Many factors contribute to the cost of a bespoke artwork. Unfortunately, it’s not a one-size fits all. Costs are estimated at the proposal phase. This applies not only to designs to translate into mosaic but other medium outputs too.
Here’s a summarized gist of what you can expect.
Proposal Fee. This fee has come about because I often get asked, “What would it cost to have a custom mosaic? Or “What would you charge for custom-designed artwork as a focal point in our office’s coffee bar?” Often times, questions like these come when a client has a general idea of what they want and just want a cost estimate.
So to accommodate clients who want to have an idea of what it’d cost up front, I have to invest time to put estimated costs together without a clear design direction in mind. A 3.49% processing fee is applied to projects paid with credit card.
Design Fee. Along with a signed agreement, the design fee is included prior to starting any projects. This fee is nonrefundable if you decide not to move forward. Otherwise, it’s rolled into the overall project cost. There is a 3.49% processing fee for projects that are paid with credit card.
To help us stay focused and efficient, two revision rounds are included. Additional revisions that exceed the original proposal increase the design costs. If the project scopes or revision changes dramatically, a new proposal is either submitted or the project may be cancelled.
Production Costs. Because no custom-designed artwork is hardly the same, production costs are estimated and provided. After a design is approved and final, depending on the fabrication partner chosen, a 50% deposit, or in some cases, full payment is customary prior to starting production.
Shipping costs are calculated by weight and zip code. It’s typically determined when artwork is complete and ready to ship to its destination.
What is a normal turn-around time for bespoke art projects?
Custom art projects range from a minimum of 8 weeks up to 6 months from conception to completion.
Do you handle installations?
Installation is the final step to having a beautiful artwork in your space. Calliope Design Inc. doesn’t function as a contractor. It is handled either by clients’ local general contractor, or reputable tile Installation Company who specializes in installing decorative mosaic art for the wall or floor.
Arrangements can be made to consult with your contractor prior to installation if necessary.
I’d like to have a custom-designed artwork, when can we start?
Who owns the copyright for the artwork?
Calliope Design reserves the common-law copyright to all works commissioned by clients that are created by the Artist, including all reproduction rights and the right to claim statutory copyright. The client may reproduce no work without the prior written approval of Calliope Design Inc.
Do you have read-to-hang wall art available for purchase?
Yes, I have a collection of available and ready-to-hang mixed media wall art that’ll make your white walls and unadorned floors vibrate in color. Please Visit the Shop.
Cancellation, Returns & Shipping
What happens if a brand identity design project is cancelled after it starts?
For client convenience, cancellations are effective immediately upon written notice with a brief description why they need to cancel. Cancellations can be made at any time by either party or by mutual agreement of both parties.
The Agreement provided at the beginning of the project outlines the obligations and terms in the event of a cancellation.
What happens if a custom-designed art décor project is cancelled after it starts?
For client convenience, cancellations are effective immediately upon written notice with a brief description why they need to cancel. Cancellations can be made at any time by either party or by mutual agreement of both parties.
The Agreement provided at the beginning of the project outlines the obligations and terms in the event of a cancellation.
What happens if I want to cancel my order?
Request a cancellation within 24 hours from the date of purchase. Please contact us to notify us.
Do you accept returns, refunds or exchanges for custom-designed art décor projects?
All art décor is made to order; returns are not accepted.
What is your return policy on art décor products?
Art + Home Décor products excluding special orders and final sale
Returns postmarked back to Calliope Design Inc. within 7 days after receipt of purchase are eligible for a refund. All expenses will be credited back with the exception of the shipping cost.
Conditions of Return
Buyers are responsible for any loss in damages and value. Buyers are responsible for carefully packaging and return shipping costs.
Returned items must arrive in original, new, unused and undamaged condition to be eligible for a refund. This includes items that are damaged during transit. It is the customer’s responsibility to correctly package fragile or bulky items to ensure they arrive safely back to us. If you have concerns about shipping fragile items, your can refer to UPS guidelines for preparing a package. Additionally, you can ensure your package against loss or damage.
All SALE items are FINAL SALE.
All items purchased using a discount code of 10% off or higher are FINAL SALE.
All merchandise marked FINAL SALE is NON-RETURNABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE. Calliope Design cannot accept returns on these items. If any merchandise that was purchased as final sale is returned, it will not be shipped back to the customer and you will not receive a refund. No exceptions will be made.
How much does it cost to ship?
Currently, products are shipped in the US only via USPS, UPS Ground or a specialized art freight company. Sometimes there can be delays with shipping that is out of our control. Please allow extra time for shipping.
Calliope Design Inc. does its best to keep shipping as low as possible. Your shipping quote is calculated based on the product size and weight, your location and fragile packaging box size and materials to ensure safe delivery. You’ll be notified by email once your item ships and receive a tracking number.
Shipping travel times vary according to your location and the delivery service used. Below are estimated travel times for UPS in the USA and do not include production times for items ordered.
– Illinois: 1 to 2 business days
– East Coast: 3 to 4 business days
– Midwest and Central: 2 to 3 business days
– West Coast: 4 to 5 business days
– Alaska and Hawaii: 4 to 5 business days
Calliope Design does not ship on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays. Items sent from our suppliers may take longer to arrive.
While we do all that will can to ensure your order’s timely delivery, Calliope Design cannot be held responsible for conditions beyond our control such as severe weather and service interruptions.
What happens is an item arrives damaged?
Please Note. All shipments are insured for the value of the merchandise. If a shipment has been sent but is not received, the receiving party has the responsibility of contacting the shipper. A tracking number will be provided and we will do our best to assist you.