Design Agreement
My design agreement serves as a general framework for all design services provided by Ships & Pigs Limited. This agreement applies broadly to any design work you commission, ensuring both parties have a clear understanding of expectations, responsibilities, and processes.
I ask all new clients to review and sign this agreement before we get started, so everything’s clear from the outset.
For simplicity, this document is written in the first person but all references to "I" or "Me" relate to Ships & Pigs Limited, the limited company providing the design services.
Summary
I’ll always do my best to fulfil your needs and meet your expectations, but as a small business it’s important to have things written down so that we both know what’s what, who should do what and when, and what will happen if something goes wrong.
In this agreement, you won’t find complicated legal terms or lengthy, unreadable text. My goal is to make things clear and ensure what’s best for both parties, now and in the future.
What Do Both Parties Agree to Do?
You have the authority to enter into this agreement on behalf of yourself, your company, or your organisation.
You’ll provide everything I need to complete the project in the requested format and timeframe.
You’ll review my work, provide feedback, and give approvals promptly.
You agree to the payment schedule set out in this agreement.
I have the experience and ability to do everything we’ve agreed upon, and I’ll do it professionally and on time.
I’ll endeavour to meet deadlines and will maintain the confidentiality of everything you provide.
Delays in providing information, feedback, approvals, or materials may impact agreed timescales. Where delays occur, I may need to reschedule work to fit around other confirmed projects.
Design Process
I’ll produce a design based on your supplied brief, and you’ll have the opportunity to provide feedback.
If, at any stage, you’re not happy with the direction my work is taking, you’ll pay me in full for everything I’ve produced up to that point.
Graphics, Logos, and Copy
Please provide high-resolution versions of brand logos and graphic materials (e.g. EPS or AI files), along with any brand guidelines, colour references, or preferred images.
If these are unavailable, I may collate imagery from public sources like websites or stock libraries.
For artwork projects, please supply proofread copy (text). If this isn’t possible, I’ll create text content for your review and approval.
It’s the client’s responsibility to proofread all content before approval.
Third-Party Suppliers and Organisers
I am not responsible for the performance, pricing, timelines, or output of third-party suppliers, including printers, builders, AV providers, or exhibition organisers. Any advice or recommendations I provide are given in good faith but do not constitute responsibility for third-party services.
I am also not responsible for changes to organiser rules, manuals, or specifications issued after design work has begun.
Changes & Revisions
I know from experience that fixed-price contracts can be limiting. If I’ve sent an estimate based on your initial brief, and you later decide to change or add something new, I’ll happily accommodate these changes with a separate estimate.
Legal Information
I can’t guarantee my work will be error-free and I am not liable for damages such as lost profits or savings.
If any part of this agreement is deemed unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain valid.
If I am found to be responsible for an issue, my liability will be limited to the design fees you have paid for the project. I won’t be responsible for wider business losses, lost profits, or knock-on effects.
Copyrights and Portfolio Use
Unless a specific project is under NDA, I reserve the right to showcase my design work in my portfolio, on my website, and on my social media - this keeps my portfolio fresh which leads to more business.
For successful projects, I’ll wait until the work is publicly launched before sharing.
For unsuccessful projects, I may share the designs once completed.
For individual projects subject to a strict NDA (e.g., pharmaceutical products), let me know during the project briefing stage. I may apply an increased design rate for such confidential work.
You are free to showcase the designs I’ve created for you in your own promotional material. Whilst I retain shared copyright as the designer, you also have full rights to use the work for your project needs. Crediting Ships & Pigs in any promotion is appreciated, but it’s not required.
If you’d like to be tagged in any social media posts featuring your project, please let me know during or after the design process. I’m happy to include this where appropriate.
Learn more about designers rights under the Intellectual Property Act 2014 here
Briefs, Scheduling & Cancellations
When a written brief is sent, I’ll treat it as confirmation that a project is going ahead and provisionally schedule time in my diary, even if exact dates haven’t yet been agreed. Projects are scheduled in the order briefs are received.
If a brief is being sent only to gather quotes or check availability and timescales, please make that clear when you send it. In those cases, no time will be scheduled.
If a project is cancelled or withdrawn after a brief has been issued, please let me know in writing as soon as possible. Where time has been reserved, I may charge a cancellation or holding fee to reflect time set aside and work turned down. Any work completed up to the point of cancellation will be payable in full.
Payment Terms
All design work is chargeable and will be invoiced accordingly. No design work is provided free of charge.
Invoices should be paid within 30 days of issue.
Late payments may incur an 8% fee above the Bank of England base rate, plus compensation.
Payment can be made via Stripe if you prefer to pay using your card. A small fee will be added to the invoice total for any payments made by Stripe to cover charges.
None UK clients will be asked to pay via Stripe. A small fee will be added to the invoice total to cover Stripe charges and currency conversions.
A deposit may be required for new clients before work begins.
If you ask me to work evenings or weekends to meet a deadline, I’ll need to increase my design fee to £60 per hour. This only applies if you specifically request work outside regular hours - for example, if you send a brief on a Friday afternoon and need the design completed by early the following week. This is subject to my availability.
I reserve the right to pause or suspend work where payment is overdue, or where required information, feedback, or approvals have not been provided. Work will resume once the issue has been resolved.
Events Outside My Control
I will not be held responsible for delays or failure to deliver work due to events beyond my reasonable control, including illness, travel disruption, exhibition cancellations, supplier failure, or changes imposed by third parties.
Final Notes
You cannot transfer this agreement to another party without my permission. This agreement remains valid and enforceable unless superseded by a new agreement.
Although the language is simple, this agreement is a legal document.
These terms are broad, and cover a range of scenarios I have encountered when working with end clients, and also with design and build companies. I appreciate that some points may not be applicable to all clients and design requests.
If you have any questions or need to discuss anything which may not work for you, please contact me at becky@shipsandpigs.com
This agreement is governed by the laws of England and Wales.