How We Work Together
"How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time."
Starting or refreshing your brand can feel overwhelming - I get it! That's why I've created a simple, supportive process that takes the fear out of building your visual identity. My unique blend of creative flair and analytical thinking means I'll help you prioritise what matters most while creating something truly beautiful.
My Approach: You're Not Just a Client
I believe in creating real partnerships, not transactional relationships. When we work together, you're getting more than a designer - you're getting someone who:
Listens deeply to understand not just what you need, but why you need it
Cares genuinely about your success and your vision
Guides patiently through every decision with expertise and empathy
Communicates clearly so you always know where we are and what's next
Supports fully, even when you're unsure or overwhelmed
As one client beautifully put it: "I feel so cared for and calm in your presence."
That's the experience I create for everyone I work with.
Step 1: Our Friendly First Chat
It all starts with a conversation - no pressure, no sales pitch. We'll jump on a video call and get to know each other
What we'll cover:
Your story and what you're trying to achieve
Your current challenges and concerns
What success looks like for your project
Your timeline and how we'll work together
Quick tip: If you have business partners or mentors whose input matters, chat with them before we start. This saves time and ensures everyone's happy from the beginning!
Step 2: Your Custom Proposal
I don't do generic quotes.
After our chat, I dive deep into research:
Your industry trends and competitors
What's working (and what's not) in your market space
Strategic approaches that'll make you stand out
Then I create a comprehensive proposal that's uniquely yours - with clear deliverables, realistic timelines, transparent pricing, and no hidden surprises.
You'll have 30 days to review, ask questions, and decide if it feels right.
“I am very pleased with your creative and forward thinking you have outlined. I trust and admire your creativity. You are awesome.“
Step 3: Let's Make It Official
When you're ready to move forward, I'll ask for a 50% deposit to secure your spot in my schedule. This commitment from both of us means I can dedicate focused, uninterrupted time to bringing your vision to life.
Then we'll gather everything I need to begin:
Complete the comprehensive questionnaire I supply
All your content, images, and materials
Your inspiration and ideas (Pinterest boards, examples, Canva experiments - everything!)
Why everything upfront? It helps me understand your style from the start, which means fewer revisions and a result you'll love faster.
“Look forward to seeing your creative genius! Thanks.”
Step 4: The Creative Magic
This is the exciting part!
For logo design: I'll present varied concepts within 2-3 days to explore the right "feel" for your brand.
For websites: I'll start with your homepage design for approval, then build from there.
Throughout this phase, I'll keep you updated, share work at key milestones, and guide you through decisions with patience and expertise.
“I love the work you did with my website, I fall in love with it every time I look at it :)”
Step 5: Refinement & Bringing It to Life
Most projects include 3 rounds of refinements - this is where we polish everything to perfection.
I work fast (usually 24-48 hour turnaround), and I'll guide you on how to give helpful feedback that gets us to your dream result efficiently.
Here's what makes this work beautifully:
Give me all your thoughts in one go (makes revisions faster!)
Be specific about what you'd like adjusted
Trust the process - we're eating that elephant one bite at a time
And yes, I understand that sometimes you're not sure what you want until you see it. That's completely normal, and I'm here to help you figure it out!
“You're such a legend! Thanks Pip :-)”
Step 6: Final Delivery & Beyond
When you're thrilled with your new brand (and you will be!), I'll deliver all your files in the formats you need - print-ready, web-optimised, everything.
Plus, depending on your package, you might get post-launch support to help with those little tweaks that come up after you start using your brand in the real world.
“Everything looks great, thank you! Miracle worker Pippa! miracle worker.”
What Makes Working With Me Different?
Battle-Tested Resilience
Forged in Africa's dynamic landscape, I've mastered creating excellence from any situation. Limited resources? They only fuel my creativity.
Global Heart, Local Understanding
Years of remote collaboration across continents mean I understand your business, whether you're in Manhattan or Mombasa.
Old-School Craft Meets Modern Innovation
From Letraset to Illustrator, I've evolved with every technological shift while keeping an artisan's attention to detail.
I Translate Your Vision
I excel at taking your "what if" moments and transforming them into compelling visual stories - even when you can't quite articulate what you want.
Calm in the Storm
Whether you're a nervous first-time business owner or a seasoned pro, I'll make you feel supported every step of the way.
The result? Brands that don't just look good - they work. They connect. They convert.
“Thank you for this excellent result. I learn everytime I work with you and I am grateful for that. You have captured the essence of what I asked and wrapped it in a powerful language.”
Your Part: The Partnership
Great design is a collaboration!
When we work together, I bring my expertise and creativity - and I need you to:
Stay engaged - I'll need your feedback to keep things moving
Share openly - The more I understand your vision, the better the result
Trust the process - Sometimes magic happens in unexpected ways
Be honest - If something's not working for you, tell me!
I promise to make this as smooth and stress-free as possible.
“We are very excited about our website and love the beautiful layout. We love the work you have done with the site. It’s such a relief to have a website that works. Thank you for helping us achieve this.”
Realistic Timelines
Every project is unique, but here are typical timeframes:
Logo & brand collateral: 7-10 business days
Full branding + website: 2-3 weeks
Website redesign: 1-2 weeks
These depend on how complex your project is and how quickly we can collaborate. I'll give you a specific timeline in your proposal.
“I appreciate and welcome your ideas.”
Investment & Payment
Every project is custom-priced based on your specific needs.
Generally:
50% deposit to start (secures your spot, gets things moving)
50% final payment when we're done
I accept bank transfers, PayPal, and Wise. All the financial details will be crystal clear in your proposal.
The Technical Stuff
I've kept this page focused on the experience of working together, but there are important policies and terms that protect both of us.
For all the detailed information about:
Exact payment terms and timelines
What's included vs. what's extra
How revisions and changes work
File delivery and ownership
Cancellation policies
All the legal protections
Please review my complete Terms & Conditions
They're written in plain language, and I encourage you to read them before we start working together. Questions? Just ask!
Ready to Start Something Beautiful?
If this approach feels right to you, I'd love to hear about your project.
or email pippadones@gmail.com
Let's schedule that friendly first chat and start building something you'll be proud of.
More Than a Designer - A Strategic Business Partner
“I have had the privilege of working with Pippa Dones for over 12 months, initially engaging her to develop my brand. What began with branding soon expanded into creating my website, business cards, designing professional print resources, and most recently, editing and graphics for my upcoming book.
Pippa’s high-quality work and meticulous attention to detail are second to none. She is not only a talented designer but also a highly experienced businesswoman who brings a wealth of marketing and business expertise to every project. Her ability to combine creativity with strategy means that she consistently transforms ideas and visions into professional, polished outcomes.
What makes Pippa truly exceptional is her warmth and professionalism. She has a collaborative, supportive style that takes away the overwhelm and replaces it with clarity and confidence. Whether you are a new business owner or further along in your journey, she provides both innovation and transformation in a way that feels effortless.
Her scope of expertise is vast, and nothing is ever too much trouble. She is incredibly generous with her time and knowledge, and her commitment—even working across international time zones—shows her dedication to her clients’ success.
I would not hesitate to highly recommend Pippa to anyone seeking support in branding, design, or business development. With Pippa, you don’t just receive outstanding work—you gain a trusted partner who genuinely cares about your success.”
Jenni Langrell