Frequently Asked Questions
General
What is a Daruma?
Daruma is a Japanese doll, talisman, companion inspired by the Buddhist Monk Dharma. When you buy a Daruma it comes with blank eyes; tradition goes that you can draw the first eye lid whilst you make a wish (the bigger the better), and the second one when that wish comes true.
What makes us special and why should you work with us?
Our clear sky thinking when it comes to create an innovative yet practical design scheme worth of a design award, our combined 40 years experience, together with our solid values such a courage, integrity and positive attitude. In other words, you have a clear a vision on how you want your space or brand to look like or being perceived and you are confused on how to get there.
How do we choose our clients?
We love working with individuals and brands who shares the courage to stand out from the crowd and will trust us to take them through an innovative design journey.
What is the difference between Full Design and Design Consultation?
We offer Design Consultation and Full Design depending on the level of complexity and client’s involvement into the project. Design Consultation is a 1 day meeting, either online or face-to-face, with one or more of our Team Members where we will guide you through your vision and show you how to implement it. The Full Design on the contrary, is a service whereby we will deliver a complete design package from concept all the way to full implementation.
Do we provide Design Consultation and Full Design for all the services?
Yes, we do provide Design Consultation and Full Design for all of our 3 services: Interior Design, Product Design and Art Direction.
Do we charge for the first meeting?
We don’t charge for the first meeting which is where we try to understand the general requirements and scope of works with the client before we elaborate and send out the Fee Proposal contract. It is also a productive way to showcase our portfolio and to make sure that there will be the right alchemy when working together.
What does FF&E stands for?
FF&E stands for furniture, fixtures and equipment; in other words this, items that can be moved around without being attached to the building or utilities, such as: desks, chairs, computers, electronic equipment, tables, bookcases, partitions, etc.
Interior Design
What are the typical interior design stages?
Everything starts with a Design Concept, followed by Concept Development, which are typically, Drawings and FF&E Finishes. We can then help you on purchasing all you need to implement the project and organise site visits to support you through the typical chaos during the building works.
How much do we charge for Design Consultation?
We charge £4,000 for a full day of face to face immersive design guidance, which includes a Design Presentation, Brainstorming, preliminary Sketches, preliminary Space Plans, FF&E Boards and FF&E/ Finishes Guidance.
How much do we charge for Full Design?
Our Design Concept starts from £10,000 and it includes Concept, Sample Boards, Material Boards, FF&E Boards and Space Plans. The Concept Development starts from £10,000 including General Arrangement Plans, Sections, Lighting Plans and Small Power Plans.
What are the payment plans?
The Design Consultation is always settled upfront. As per the Full Design, we invoice 50% of the Design Concept upon acceptance of the contract and remaining 50% upon client’s approval of the Design Concept. In the next stage of the project we invoice 50% of the Concept Development prior to the first draft presentation to the client and remaining 50% upon client’s approval of the Concept Development.
Do you charge extra for site visits?
We invoice £200 per hour for site visits (in central London) only when is crucial for the Concept Development or requested by the client.
How long does a typical Interior Design project take?
From the concept to the implementation stage, the typical project can take between 6-12 months to be completed.
Product Design
How is our approach when designing a product?
Our philosophy is “listen, design, inspire”. Before designing any products we sit down with a client to get a clear brief and analyse the client’s needs and most of all what might be missing in current market. We then design based on our experience and extensive imagination and inspire the client on presenting something they haven’t thought about it.
How long does it take to design a product?
Generally speaking, it takes at least 6-12 months to design and manufacture a product from briefing to being launched in the market.
How do you charge when you design a product?
Typically we require a design fee upfront to start developing the concept and a consequent royalties percentage when the product is sold.
Creative Direction
What is Creative Direction?
Creative Directors are responsible for developing/ curating the strategy and the brand’s vision/ interaction with their customers. In other words, the Creative Director is that invisible professional who glues and develops every interactive part of a brand together, from strategy to point of sale.
What are the benefits of having an Creative Director?
In essence, a Creative Director is a maestro who will supervise the brand’s identity, spaces, collections and collaborations. The Creative Director will creatively oversee the brand and make sure that everything is consistent and transpire its unique values for specific target markets.
What does a Creative Director exactly do?
Depending on the brand’s scope of works, a Creative Director develops and oversees several creative elements, such as: Brand Strategy, Visual Identity Development & Deliver, Digital Marketing Strategy, Website Design, Story Telling, Promotional Goods, Environmental Graphics, Story Telling, Product Naming, Direct Mail & Press Adds, Product Collections Development, Spaces & Stand Design and Installations & Staging.
How do we know that we are ready to work with a Creative Director?
If you feel you have the courage to standout from your competitors and ready to keep a long term vision, then you are prepared to work with a Creative Director.