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How we work

The full sequence of an AND Design project, published in advance so you know what happens next, what we owe you and what we need from you at each stage.

Discovery call

A conversation about what the work has to accomplish rather than what it should look like. Who is the audience, what has already been tried, what is the deadline driving this, and what does success actually look like once the files are delivered.

You leave this call with a clear direction whether or not you hire us. If we are the wrong studio for the job, we will say so and point you somewhere better.

You get: a direction and an honest assessment. We need: thirty minutes and any existing material. Cost: free.

Proposal and fixed quote

We send a written proposal with the scope itemized, a fixed price, a delivery date, the number of revision rounds included and the exact list of files you will receive at the end. Nothing is vague and nothing is billed hourly unless you specifically chose hourly support.

If the timeline you need is not achievable at a quality we would put our name on, this is where we say so, not after we have your deposit.

You get: a fixed quote and a firm date. We need: approval and the deposit. Timeline: 2 to 4 business days.

Research and direction setting

Before anything is designed we look at your market, your competitors and the surfaces the work has to live on. For identity work this includes an audit of everything you currently have, which is often the first time a client sees all of their material side by side.

The output is a short direction document: the strategic angle, the visual territory and the constraints we are designing against. You approve this before we design anything, because it is far cheaper to redirect here than three concepts later.

You get: a written direction document. We need: your approval or your objections. Timeline: 3 to 10 days.

Concepts

We present a small number of considered directions, usually two or three, each shown in context rather than floating on a white page. A logo appears on a sign and a screen. A film concept arrives as a storyboard with timing. You see what you are actually buying.

Every concept comes with the reasoning behind it. We are not asking you to pick a favorite color, we are asking you to choose a strategy that happens to look like something.

You get: concepts in context, with rationale. We need: one consolidated set of feedback. Timeline: 1 to 3 weeks.

Production and revisions

The chosen direction gets built out in full. Revision rounds run exactly as written in the proposal, and each round collects feedback in one place so notes do not arrive scattered across email, text messages and a phone call at 9pm.

For animation and film, production runs through storyboard, animatic, animation, then finishing. You sign off at each gate, which means a change of mind at the animatic stage costs almost nothing, while the same change after final render costs a great deal. We tell you this early and loudly.

You get: the full build with scheduled review points. We need: feedback within the agreed window. Timeline: the contracted duration.

Delivery and handover

Final files arrive in every format and size you need, organized and clearly named rather than dumped in one folder. Alongside them you receive the editable source files, and for identity and system work, the guidelines that explain how to use everything.

Ownership of the final work transfers to you on final payment. The source files are yours permanently, whether or not you ever work with us again.

You get: final files, source files and documentation. We need: final payment. Timeline: 2 to 5 days after approval.

Support after launch

Projects do not end cleanly. A size you did not anticipate, a format a new platform requires, a template that needs one more variant. Small post delivery adjustments within thirty days are handled at no charge if they fall inside the original scope.

Beyond that, clients move to hourly support or a monthly retainer depending on volume. Either way the studio that made the work is the studio maintaining it, which is faster and cheaper than briefing someone new.

You get: 30 days of in scope adjustments. We need: a message describing what you need. Timeline: ongoing.

Working standards

What we commit to in writing

Most of what makes a design project painful is process rather than craft. These are the standards we hold ourselves to, and you are welcome to hold us to them.

A named senior designer on your project from first call to final file
A fixed quote that matches the final invoice unless you approved a change
Revision rounds stated in the proposal, never argued about afterward
One consolidated feedback thread per round, so nothing gets lost
A reply to any project message within one business day
Editable source files handed over on every single project
Honest notice the day a deadline comes under threat, not the week after

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Your part

What makes a project go well

The best projects we have run all had these three things from the client side. None of them require design knowledge.

One decision maker

Someone who can approve without assembling a committee. Feedback from six people with equal authority produces work that pleases nobody and takes twice as long.

Feedback about problems

Telling us the headline feels cold is more useful than telling us to make it blue. Describe what is wrong and let us solve it. That is the part you are paying for.

Responses inside the window

Our schedule assumes feedback arrives within the agreed window. A week of client silence moves the delivery date by a week, and we would rather agree that now than argue later.

Process questions

How this works in practice

Usually within one to three weeks depending on the studio queue. Retainer clients get priority scheduling. If you have a hard deadline, tell us at the discovery call and we will tell you immediately whether it is possible.

Typically fifty percent to begin and fifty percent on delivery for standard projects. Larger engagements are split across milestones written into the agreement. Retainers are billed monthly in advance.

You can, and we will tell you honestly what it costs. A change during the concept stage is often free. The same change after production has begun is a new scope, priced and approved in writing before any work continues.

Yes, usually two or three, each with reasoning. We do not present twelve options, because a wall of choices signals that we had no point of view and pushes the hard decision onto you.

Absolutely, and we set projects up expecting it. You get editable source files, organized templates and documentation. Several clients use us for the system and produce the day to day material themselves.

Start at step one

The discovery call is free and takes thirty minutes. It is also the fastest way to find out whether we are right for your project.

Book a discovery call Call +1 357-200-9138