OVERVIEW
Creative Retainer
*Only Available at a Day Rate
Our Creative Retainer is the perfect solution for businesses that need ongoing, high-quality design support without the commitment of an in-house designer. Available at a day rate, this service is ideal for companies needing regular design updates, fresh campaign assets, or strategic design direction. With this retainer, you get consistent, reliable creative support, ensuring your brand stays strong and your creative needs are always met.
SCOPE OF SERVICES
Graphic Design & Art Direction:
+ Social media graphics (e.g., posts, ads, banners)
+ Marketing materials (e.g., flyers, brochures, infographics, illustrations)
+ Email templates and newsletters
+ Editorial and white paper layout & design
+ Experiential, ambient, and event ideation and strategy
Branding Support:
+ Refinement of brand guidelines
+ Development of new assets (e.g., logos, patterns, typography updates)
+ Consistency checks across various platforms
Web and Digital Design:
+ Website updates (e.g., banner images, landing pages, UI elements)
+ E-commerce graphics (e.g., product images, promotional banners)
+ Presentation decks (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Keynote designs)
Creative Campaigns:
+ Ad creative for digital platforms (Google Ads, Facebook, Instagram, etc.)
+ Conceptualizing and designing visuals for launches or promotions
+ Custom Projects:
+ Collaborations on unique one-off design needs aligned with the business's goals
HOW IT WORKS
Daily Workflow
Each dedicated day follows a clear and efficient structure:
Pre-Day Preparation (Prior to Retainer Day)
+ Client submits a detailed brief at least 24–48 hours in advance, including:
+ Project description, objectives, and deadlines.
+ Necessary materials (text, images, brand assets).
+ Preferred style references or examples (if applicable).
+ Designer reviews the brief and prepares any required tools, files, or research to hit the ground running.Morning Kickoff (30 Minutes)
+ A quick check-in via email, chat, or video call to confirm priorities for the day.
+ Establish project milestones or deliverables for the day.Design Focus Period
+ Dedicated time for designing based on the brief.
+ Real-time communication channels (e.g., Slack, email) remain open for questions or clarifications.
+ Midday Update (optional/if applicable) to provide client with a quick progress snapshot to gather feedback and stay aligned to brief.End-of-Day Deliverables
+ Share completed designs or drafts for review.
+ Highlight any pending tasks for the client or for follow-up on the next retainer day.Revision Window (1 Hour)
+ Address immediate feedback received during the retainer day. (Next morning for CT/ET timezones)
+ Confirm if further refinements are needed (to be scheduled for a future retainer day).
Monthly Workflow
The monthly process ensures smooth planning, execution, and follow-up:
Week 1: Monthly Planning & Strategy Meeting (30–60 Minutes)
+ Review goals for the month.
+ Define key priorities and establish a schedule for retainer days.
+ Discuss upcoming campaigns, events, or design needs.
Ongoing Weekly Workflow:
+ Week 2, 3, 4: Execute scheduled retainer days following the daily workflow.
+ Weekly Updates: Share progress and completed designs after each day, including client-approved final files.
Week 4: Monthly Recap & Adjustments (30–60 Minutes)
+ Review deliverables completed during the month.
+ Gather client feedback on the process and designs.
+ Plan for any carryover tasks or projects for the next month.
At the end of the month, all projects are reviewed, and next month’s priorities are planned, creating a seamless cycle of collaboration and delivery.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Think of it like having a part-time creative director or design team on call. You pre-book monthly time (a set number of days), and we dedicate that time fully to your brand. Strategy, design, execution — whatever’s on your list, it gets done.
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With one-offs, you get deliverables. With a retainer, you get ongoing partnership. That means less ramp-up, more alignment, and faster results. Plus, your projects jump to the front of the line.
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Almost anything creative your brand needs: brand assets, campaign design, website updates, packaging, presentation decks, event visuals, you name it. If it’s design or creative direction, it’s fair game.
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Each month, you’ll send over your list of priorities. We’ll align on what fits into your booked days, and then those get locked into our calendar. Clear expectations, clear outcomes.
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Retainers are about reserving time, not just tracking hours. Unused days do not roll over. That said, if you’re consistently underusing your days, we’ll revisit and right-size your package together.
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Generally, no — since we’re holding those days just for you. But we do offer flexibility if you give notice in advance (e.g. shifting a day forward into the next month).
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Easy — you can add extra days at your retainer rate, as long as our schedule allows. Or, if it’s a bigger need, we can talk about expanding your retainer tier.
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Creative retainers are designed to build momentum, so we book in 2–3 month blocks at minimum. That gives us time to really understand your brand, create work with impact, and avoid the stop-start energy of one-off projects.
For new clients, retainers start at 4 days/month ($3,600) with a 3-month minimum.
For existing clients or those who’ve already completed a brand package with us, we offer more flexible tiers — 1–2 days/month with a 2-month minimum. -
You’ll pay a flat monthly rate (in advance) that covers your reserved days. Any add-ons or scope beyond that will be invoiced separately.
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We get it — things shift. Pauses or cancellations require 30 days’ notice so we can adjust schedules on our end.
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Retainers are billed monthly, upfront, based on the day your agreement is signed. For example, if you sign on the 15th, your payment is due that day — and then on the 15th of each following month during your commitment. Any add-ons (extra days, expanded scope) will be invoiced separately.
INTERESTED IN A CREATIVE RETAINER?
How to Apply
Think a retainer is the right fit for your brand? Excellent. Reach out to us with the form below and we’ll send over a quick agreement and invoice. Once signed and the first month is paid, your dedicated creative days are officially reservable on our calendar.
Set Yourself up for Success
A retainer works best when you come prepared. Before starting, we recommend:
+ Listing out your top priorities for the first month (so we hit the ground running)
+ Making sure your key decision-makers are aligned (no bottlenecks mid-project!)
+ Checking your calendar for review/feedback windows — being responsive keeps momentum strong.
Still got Questions?
No problem — let’s talk it out. If you’re not sure which tier to choose, how retainer days work, or whether this model is right for you, schedule a free 20-minute consultation and we’ll walk through your options.