FAQs
Absolutely! You don’t need to have it all worked out before getting in touch. In fact, many clients come to me with only a rough idea of what they’re after.
I’ll ask the right questions to get to the heart of your business, your goals and your style. From there, I can suggest a clear, sensible plan, whether that’s a full rebrand, a simple logo refresh, or a tidy one-page website to get you started.
No jargon, no hard sell. Just thoughtful guidance to help you get what you need (and nothing you don’t!).
I’ve been working in design and marketing for over two decades, across agency, in-house and freelance roles. I hold a BA (Hons) and DipHE in Graphic Design and Illustration, and have worked with organisations including Sony and Royal Mail.
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I launched Orange Cat in 2015, after twelve years as an in-house graphic designer. So I understand both sides of the equation: how to make something look good, and how to make it work for the organisation behind it.
Agencies can be brilliant! But if you’re looking for a more personal approach, working with Orange Cat means you deal directly with me from start to finish.
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There’s no account manager sitting between you and the person doing the design, so communication is straightforward and decisions can be made quickly. I’ll take the time to understand what you’re trying to achieve, then work with you to create something that’s thoughtful, effective and right for your organisation.
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And because it’s just me, you get an experienced designer without the layers of people and overheads that come with a larger agency.
I really do believe that decent design should be accessible to everyone. These days, it’s easier than ever to create your own materials using accessible design platforms and software, and it can be a good starting point for many. But just because you can do it yourself doesn’t always mean you should. When something represents your brand and your identity, it’s worth getting it right.
I work independently, which means I don’t have the overheads of a big agency. No office staff, no studio rent, no layers of management, (and as you can see, no big fancy website!) It’s just me, doing the work from my home office in Somerset. That allows me to keep my pricing fair and transparent.
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As much or as little as you like. Some clients love being hands-on and involved at every stage, while others prefer to hand things over and let me get on with it. Either approach is completely fine.
We’ll start with an initial consultation (via video call or in person, depending on what suits) followed by a summary email and an approximate quote. If you decide to go ahead, we’ll have a follow-up session to dig a bit deeper - covering your goals, timings, and what I’ll need from you (like copy, images, or any existing materials).
I’ll always welcome your input, but I’ll also guide the process with plenty of space for thinking time, questions, or a bit of back and forth. All I ask is that you respect the creative process and trust in my experience. That’s when the best work happens!
Design is a collaborative process, and your input is key, so I work hard to make sure we’re on the same page from the start. Before I begin, we’ll have a clear brief, good conversations, and a shared understanding of your goals, style and audience.
That said, if something doesn’t feel quite right, that’s okay. The design process includes rounds of amends so there’s space to refine and adjust. I’ll always explain my thinking, and I’ll listen carefully to your feedback.
The aim is never just to make something that looks good; it’s to make something that feels right for you and works for your business.
Typically, 2-3 rounds of amends are included, which is usually more than enough if the brief is clear and the content’s in good shape.
For logo design, I’ll usually present 2-3 strong concepts based on our initial discussions. From there, we refine the chosen direction together. If we find ourselves heading in a completely new direction, we may need to revisit the brief, and possibly the cost, but I’ll always flag that clearly if it looks likely.
In all cases, having well-edited copy, clear imagery and a sense of your goals upfront helps to keep the process smooth and focused.
My turnaround time varies depending on my current workload, the size of the project, and how clear and complete the initial brief is.
Things tend to move faster when the text is copy-checked, the images are high quality, and we’re not chasing too many rounds of tiny tweaks. I’ll always give you a realistic estimate up front and keep you posted as we go.
For new clients, I ask for 50% of the quoted fee up front before work begins. It helps set things off on the right foot and ensures a bit of mutual trust.
The remaining balance is due within 30 days of the final invoice. Payment is by bank transfer, and all the details you need will be on the invoice.
I use Wix Studio because it allows me to design clean, stylish, easy-to-manage websites which are perfect for small businesses, start-ups and creative projects that want professional-looking websites but don’t need bells and whistles.
My focus is on creating a strong, consistent brand experience across visuals, words and layout. When you choose a brand + website package, you’re getting a joined-up approach that flows seamlessly from logo to launch.
If you’re after a site with complex functionality or bespoke development, I’d recommend working with a specialist web developer. I’m always happy to point you in the direction of someone brilliant!
I use what I consider to be the best in the business: Adobe Creative Suite. This means your reports, brochures, logos and illustrations will be created using industry-standard software, ensuring they’re fully scalable (from business card to billboard) and delivered in the right formats for print and / or digital use. After years of working with Adobe, I find it not only more powerful but also more intuitive, because it offers the flexibility and precision that professional design requires.
When it comes to print, your artwork will be prepared with meticulous attention to detail, tailored precisely to your project. That includes correct print set up (colour profiles, bleed, resolution, file types etc); all the behind-the-scenes technicalities that ensure your designs print cleanly and professionally. These things can trip up even the best-looking projects, but I’ve worked closely with production teams and printers for years, so you can rest assured that I will get it right.
That said, I understand that some clients want to be able to make small updates or create simple layouts themselves. If that’s you, I’m happy to provide a customised Canva toolkit as part of your branding package - perfect for DIY flyers, social posts, email banners and the like. Just let me know early on if this is something you’d like. Some files can only be edited using professional software, so we’ll make sure we set everything up to suit your needs from the start.
That’s completely fine. Things change, and I’m happy to be flexible. If you need to pause the project or shift direction, I’ll simply invoice for the work completed to date. If needed, I can also supply any origination files we’ve created so far.
You’re always welcome to pick things up again later on. I’ll keep everything on file so we can hit the ground running when you’re ready.