Q: Can you tell me a little about your background?
A: Sure. Please click here.
Q: What is your rate?
A: I prefer fixed-price projects. We take a look at the scope of your project together then work out a price and deadline. However, if you feel more comfortable for hourly rate, it is $50/hour. ($75 for debugging other people's code. The higher rate takes into account many variables and the difficult nature of the task). If you have long-term photo touch up/product photography project, it'd be $25-30/hour.
Q: What is your payment terms?
A: Usually it is 3-3-4: Take web design/development as an example, 30% upfront, once we decide on price and website details, then I will start on mock-ups of the website; another 30% when the mock-ups are finished and approved (that usually includes home page and major internal pages' look and feel); I will then enter development phase, and at the end of development, upload it to my testing server for you to review and test. Once you approve, the rest 40% will need to be paid, and I shall upload and install the website, as well as send you the source code. Each project may slightly different in terms of phases, we will discuss them before project starts.
For small project, we can do 50-50.
Q: What will I get when I use you for my projects?
A: Usually all the source files.
For design type projects, files may include print-ready PDFs, source files such as INDD (InDesign), PSD (Photoshop) and AI(Illustrator), and stock photos if they are used.
For development type projects, files may include all source code and sometimes a brief instruction about how you can make simple changes by you own.
For photo touch up projects, final deliverable will most likely be JPG or PNG in the exact size and resolution we discussed before the project starts. I do not provide layered PSD files for photo touch up project.
Q: Will I have the Admin privilege for websites that you developed and installed for me?
A: Yes!
If you prefer, I can upload and install your website to your hosting space for you once the development is complete. I will ask you to create a user and password for me for the hosting company that you are using. However, once the project is completed, I will remind you to delete that account, or at least change the password. You will be the only admin to your hosting, and your website (if there is a back-end) and you may do whatever you like. So in another words, no, you don't have to pay me each time you want to change any text or images.
Q: I worked with some other designers and they always gave me 3 or 4 sometimes 5 or 6 mock-ups to choose from. Will you do the same?
A: Certainly not.
I will use a paragraph from Andy Rutledge that I found online to answer "why": "Good design is not found by picking from a pack of arbitrary options, but is rather the result of deliberate, contextual choices. Taking a scattershot approach to design is in no way effective...The only person who knows how many design options are appropriate is the designer who is engaged in the process. And in almost every case there is one best design solution. Sometimes another compelling direction is worth considering and presenting to the client, but this cannot be known until you have fully engaged in the process, conscious of the parameters specific to that project."
Q: Do you provide maintenance for the projects you did for me?
A: I usually do not do maintenance jobs. For website development, I usually give it 3 months once the site is live. I will fix any problems that occur during that period, given it was not caused by altering code by yourself or other people. For example, JavaScript errors, typo in text/image, broken links etc. Change out text/images/layout/color/theme or even re-design elements for your site will not be part of debug even if within 3 months. Those will be add-on projects that you have to discuss with me.
Q: I've received quotes for less for my project. Will you match that quote?
A: I understand that it's tempting to look for the best bargains, especially in these difficult times. However, what I do is one thing that people say "you get what you paid for". What I do is my passion and I strive to put forth a product we can both be proud of. And such a project can't possibly be a $50 brochure design, or a $200 website. Given that, I will not match quotes that you get from others.
Q: I like your work and want to use you for my project, but I'm kinda short in cash at the moment. Can you help me?
A: At times, I am willing to trade my services with clients' products or services - something that is useful for me (airline miles will be a good sample). But do not hesitate to contact me if you have an idea and we will see what we can work out.
Q: I know exactly what my project should be. Will you be able to follow my instructions accurately?
A: For the most part.
Part of the fun of developing a project is listening to ideas and seeing where they take us. But sometimes what you may have pictured in your head may not be possible, or I might have a better idea that will improve the project in the long run.
I'm not a passive business partner and those who have worked with me can attest to the fact that I am good at communication. I will always speak up if I see other ways to improve the project, and will never hold my punch when I think something sucks. 
So do not expect me to roll over at the first sign of resistance, because compromise never brings excellence.
Q: I have a product to sell, can I contact you with a pitch?
A: I would prefer it if you didn't. And please do not try to spam my email account or this website. As a matter of fact, no one can post an article at this website unless I approve; and no articles or comments will be displayed either unless they are approved. So please do not waste time for both of us, really.