FAQs

COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED

AVAILABILITY

How much notice do you need to take on a new commission?

Receiving early notice of a new commission will help greatly to agree a client start date in order to help feed the new commission into current work flows.

Can you ever take new commissions on at short notice?

We always welcome client interest. If there is availability, we will do our best to accommodate short-notice requests. However, we are mindful of the need to maintain high standards for everyone we work for and the time it takes to achieve these, so we will always weigh this up before taking on new work with a compressed lead time.

How long does a project take to complete?

Each project can take a very different time to complete as every brief is different, especially as some projects may have multiple alternative exploration routes to explore. Some projects may also require multiple artwork versions for different end uses.

Do you work exclusively on one project at a time?

We tend not to work on just one project at a time as there will always be periods where we are waiting for feedback, for example. This means we are able to run a number of design projects concurrently as they go though different stages of development.

Do you ever refuse commissions?

There are times when we refuse commissions. It might be because craft standards are not a priority for the client or there may not be a realistic time frame or availability to complete the project. On very rare occasions we have refused a commission because we felt it was not aligned to our ethical position.

BRIEF

At what stage do you engage with a project?

Each project can have a different start position, though it is usual for Chris to start at the early exploration sketch stage. Chris does have concerns when requested to start late in a client project. This is especially true if the end client has little appetite for much further change, though it may be required from a craft perspective. Engaging later could also be restrictive if there is little budget left for improvement, given the client’s efforts to possibly retain as much of the project in-house.

It is the case that the start position needs to be based on a well drawn sketch.

What information do you need to form a clear brief.

An informed overview of the whole project, including, for example, brand projection, target markets, usage, style themes, colours, size of reproduction, artwork versions, and print materials from the outset helps greatly to ensure the final creation is designed fit for purpose.

ORIGINALITY

Is Chris Mitchell’s illustrative work original to him?

Yes. His work is original to him, given they are not copied from other sourced illustrations.

Does Chris do all the illustrative work himself?

Yes. If other allied craft skills are required on larger projects we may suggest the contribution of our associates, such as for brand lettering or animation.

How can we be assured that Chris's original work is not similar to another?

We can only assure our clients that Chris Mitchell's illustrative work is original to him. Given the sheer number of brand marks out in the market place, we cannot be aware if his original work appears similar to another brand marque by subject or for that matter style. It is for the client to seek trademark registration through the proper channels if they wish to protect the commissioned work.


Does the work at Epic Icons get copied?

Please appreciate that is in all parties’ interests that the creation of hybrid designs; the full or part-replication of elements of Chris Mitchell’s extensive folio of work, do not appear in the marketplace. Hybrid or copied concepts passed off as original ideas can also be regarded as foolhardy. Respect and appreciation of the original ownership can be lost in the artwork process leading to very serious copyright consequences later.

In Chris’s own original work, he makes sure there is clear distinction between every brand icon that he has created.

DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

Do you have a development process?

Yes, we generally conform to the tried and tested methodology for engagement that creatives appreciate and understand.

Depending on the starting point, it generally comprises of a four to five stage process.

This process is flexible.

Stage 1: Exploration single colour concept line sketches.

Stage 2: Solid line development colour rough of chosen route, or routes.


Stage 3: Adjustments and development review.

Stage 4: Final vector artwork of chosen route.

Stage 5: Other artwork versions as required.

For more information see our process page.

OWNERSHIP

Who owns the final artworks?

The end client owns the final artwork on payment of the final artwork buyout fee. Details of the modest buyout fee is included in the quote. Transfer of artwork ownership to the client for unrestricted use takes place once the buyout fee and obviously all other agreed development and artwork creation fees have been paid. Clients are then able to seek trade mark registration through the proper official channels if they wish.

Chris Mitchell, trading as Epic Icons, retains use of the commissioned work for self promotion. Clients will be credited where possible.

Can Epic Icons guarantee Trade Mark registration of their work?

Unfortunately, we are not able to do this. Epic Icons or the client cannot be aware of all the other illustrative brand icons of similar subject out in the market place. In order to protect the work, it is for the client to present the work for trade mark registration through the official bodies. See our Trade Mark page for further details.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Do you sign confidentiality terms and conditions, NDA's?

Yes, we do. However, where indemnity clauses are included, they have to be vetted by our indemnity insurers in order to ensure that the terms are reasonable, and that by signing, our professional indemnity insurance is not invalidated. It is in our clients' and our interests that our indemnity insurance covers us. This process can take a number of days.

As a quicker response is often required in order to action a client brief, please read our commission terms.



Does Epic Icons have professional Indemnity insurance?

Yes. Details can be provided on request.

PAYMENT

When do you require payment?

We generally send an invoice after final artwork approval. Where development stages are going to be extended by the client over a period of time, we would then suggest payment on completion of each stage. Similarly, we would agree interim payments where larger projects are developed over a longer period of time.

Can you work to budgets?

We always try to work within the agreed budget, based on the client brief at the time of commission. If it is the case that the client extends the brief, we will notify the client as soon as possible, given the extra work is likely to require a budget extension to be agreed.