Retainer Rates
Your work is
but the way it’s presented
hasn’t caught up yet.
A retainer keeps everything
aligned with your mission
—consistently
Your work is
but the way it’s presented hasn’t caught up yet.
A retainer keeps everything aligned with your mission
—consistently
Why a Retainer?
If you’ve been juggling freelancers, DIYing graphics on Canva, or just trying to keep up—this is your sign to stop doing it alone.
They say “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but let’s be real—we all do. And your visual identity is the cover. Before anyone reads your mission, your captions, or your strategic plan… they’re looking at how it’s presented. A powerful story deserves powerful visuals. If the story looks underdeveloped, people might never give it the chance it deserves. It’s like showing up to a life-changing interview in sweaty gym clothes—your brilliance is still there, but it’s being misrepresented. A retainer makes sure your visuals are telling the truth about your value, consistently!
Plus, it saves your organization money in the long run. Our standard hourly rate outside of a retainer is $150/hr. These packages are designed to honor our ongoing relationship with reduced rates, faster turnarounds, and more thoughtful collaboration.
Not Just a Vendor.
A Creative Ally.
You don’t need more tasks—you need a partner.
Why Choose a Retainer
Over a Full-Time
Full-Time Art Director / Designer Costs:
◦ Average Salary: $90,000 – $130,000/year ($7,500 – $10,800/month).
◦ Additional Costs: Benefits (20-30%), payroll taxes (7.65%), equipment, software, and office space.
◦ Total Monthly Cost: $10,000 – $14,000 or more.
senior-level expertise at a fraction of the cost of an in-house executive. We take on all of the overhead including:
◦ Software (Adobe Creative Suite, Content Management System, Zoom, Etc)
◦ Equipment (Top of the line iMac, Wacom tablet, Professional Camera Gear, External Hard Drives, and other office supplies)
◦ Workspace (Office Space, WiFi, Etc)
No need for training, onboarding, or managing a full-time employee’s productivity.
A decade of experience in branding, design, and creative direction across multiple industries.
Scale up or down based on your business’s evolving needs.
Unlike a salaried hire, a retainer offers flexibility with no HR obligations.
Why Choose a Retainer Over a Full-Time Art Director / Designer?
Full-Time Art Director / Designer Costs:
Average Salary: $90,000 – $130,000/year ($7,500 – $10,800/month).
Additional Costs: Benefits (20-30%), payroll taxes (7.65%), equipment, software, and office space.
Total Monthly Cost: $10,000 – $14,000 or more.
Senior-level expertise at a fraction of the cost of an in-house executive. We take on all of the overhead including:
Software (Adobe Creative Suite, Content Management System, Zoom, Etc)
Equipment (Top of the line iMac, Wacom tablet, Professional Camera Gear, External Hard Drives, and other office supplies)
Workspace (Office Space, WiFi, Etc)
No need for training, onboarding, or managing a full-time employee’s productivity.
A decade of experience in branding, design, and creative direction across multiple industries.
Scale up or down based on your business’s evolving needs.
Unlike a salaried hire, a retainer offers flexibility with no HR obligations.
Which Retainer
Feels Right for You?
You don’t have to juggle one-off freelancers anymore or struggle learning Canva. We’re your creative department, minus the hiring process. Let’s build a system that works month after month. Each month, we go over your goals then we construct the perfect set of deliverables that fit within your selected retainer. Start with what you need now—scale up or down as you go.
Seed
$2,550 /month
For those planting something meaningful and in need of steady design support. Best for small teams or solo leaders just beginning to grow their visual presence.
1. One active design request at a time
2. One monthly meeting
3. Three business-day deliver on revisions
4. Final file delivery in web + print formats
5. Up to 3 revisions per active design
* Logo design, new websites, and report layout available only in higher tiers.
Pro
$4,995 /month
For brands in full bloom, needing consistent design to match their momentum. Best for small nonprofits, solo org leaders, or programs with 1–2 campaigns or events /month.
Residency
$9,550 /month
This is your full creative studio — on call, aligned with your mission, and ready to help you shine. High level design direction, monthly creative consulting, and premium brand execution — ideal for large institutions, initiatives, and public-facing campaigns.
Not Sure Yet?
Take this 5-minute questionnaire and I’ll recommend the best package for your needs,
whether that’s within or outside of a retainer.