Frequently Asked Questions

Like so many of our clients, you may have question about the Design Center and your project. Spend a bit of time reviewing these questions and answers. With some of your initial questions answered we focus more on project specific needs at our first meeting.

Q. What are some of the things we can do to be better prepared when we meet with your design staff?

A. Please have a look at the reverse side of our form AD-652. (PDF file, Adobe Acrobat Reader needed to view this file) This information should help you prepare for meeting with us. Additionally please contact one of our staff members. He/she will be able to provide you with a list of needed materials in preparation for a meeting with the Design Center.

Q. Our project is on a very tight budget and schedule. Will the Design Center still be able to work with us?

A. Yes within reason. It takes a certain amount of time and money to produce a design product. We understand deadlines and budgets and have met both successfully over the years. Please allow as much time as possible for planning and design. A well produced product requires thorough planning and development. Meeting a very tight deadline may not afford us the time to successfully meet your program objectives.

Q. Does the Design Center work with clients outside the USDA?

A. Yes we do work with other federal agencies. We have worked with the National Park Service, Smithsonian, National Archives, Army Corps of Engineers and others. An Interagency Agreement will initiate a project with the Design Center.

Q. After the Design Center has completed a job for my agency, do the files belong to us?

A. Yes and No. The electronic files are yours and we archive the files here at the Design Center. Ownership and usage rights of any original artwork or photography needs to be negotiated with the artist prior to project initiation. Future usage will depend on written terms agreed upon between the agency and the artist/photographer.

Q. How do the Design Center's rates compare to other design offices?

A. Based on a recent survey of design offices in the Washington DC area, our rates are very competitive if not below average.

Q. How does the Design Center bill for its services?

A. The Design Center is a Working Capital Fund operation. We only charge for services rendered at our current hourly rate. Our fees are calculated based on the size and complexity of your project.

Q. Why should we use the Design Center?

A. Because we are extremely good at what we do and operate in a highly accountable environment. Our staff has experience working with public and private sector clients and understands the audience we are communicating to. Additionally, Departmental Regulation DR-1470 defines the role we play in departmental information delivery.

Q. Why does the Design Center contract out some of the services I need?

A. The unique needs of each project dictate that we customize the team required to execute the project. To keep our overhead low, certain skills may not be available on staff, therefore we contract out to compliment our in-house project team. Being mindful of your budget, we may determine that it is more economical to outsource. By the way, our contracting is 100% small business set-aside.

Q. We started our project with another designer. Can the USDA Design Center pick up where they left off?

A. Yes, but we can not guarantee that we will be able to use the work developed to date by another designer. Evaluation of the completed work against the project requirements may dictate the need for redesign or modifications.

Return to Section Index