Questions founders ask
Still have questions?
Every project is different. If you want a quick answer or prefer to chat before booking a call, message Razvan directly on Telegram.
Getting Started
What kind of companies do you work with?
Mostly B2B/B2C SaaS, AI tools, fintech, and internet startups from pre-seed to Series B. That said, we work with any company building digital products who values speed, craft, and strategic design thinking.
Do you work with larger companies?
Yes. Early-stage startups are our bread and butter, but we work with companies at every stage, from pre-seed founders to established enterprises. We have worked with teams like Samsung, Lenovo, and Logitech.
Who is Artone not a good fit for?
We are not the best fit if you need constant same-day turnarounds, treat design as a commodity, or want to squeeze maximum output without respecting scope or timelines. We work best with founders who value craft and see design as a strategic partnership.
Why work with Artone over hiring in-house or a freelancer?
Freelancers handle one-off tasks well, but rarely cover multiple services or give you the continuity of a long-term product partner. A full-time senior designer costs far more and brings recruiting, benefits, and long-term commitment along with it. Artone gives you senior craft and product thinking at a fraction of that cost, with the flexibility to pause whenever you need.
What happens after I book a call?
On the call, we discuss your product, goals, and pain points. If it is a good fit, we send the agreement and invoice. Once paid, we set up your Slack channel and kick off within days.
Scope & Services
What do you actually help with?
Product design, web design, and brand identity. This includes UI/UX for web and mobile apps, design systems, prototyping, landing pages and multi-page websites built in Framer, brand guidelines, logos, pitch decks, social media assets and more.
How much can we get done in a month?
It depends on the project's complexity, but a typical month covers something like an 8-section landing page designed + built in Framer, a quick brand identity with logo, colors, typography, and visual assets, and a set of 3-5 core product screens. If you would rather focus on one big initiative, we will dedicate the full month to it. For example, if you need product design, we can spend the entire month on UI/UX, building out your component system, and mapping user flows. In that case, the output is a significantly larger set of screens, whether that means the full app, a complete feature flow, or a major portion of your product.
Can you handle brand, product, and website together?
Yes. Many clients use the retainer across all three areas simultaneously. We prioritize based on your business goals.
Can you help with a new product from scratch?
Yes. We have taken products from idea to launch many times. We can help with user research, wireframing, UI design, prototyping, and building out your design system as your product grows.
Do you offer motion design or development?
We do, as separate engagements. Our monthly retainer covers product design, web design, and brand identity. For motion design (promotional videos, complex animations) or full code development, we bring in specialized collaborators from our network. These are quoted separately and can run alongside your retainer or as standalone projects. Note: motion and interaction design for Framer developed websites is already included in the retainer.
What if we already have developers?
We design and hand off developer-friendly deliverables. We can work alongside your engineering team, adapt to your workflow, and make sure everything is built for smooth implementation.
Can you work with our in-house team?
Absolutely. We regularly collaborate with internal product, design, and engineering teams. We can plug into your existing structure or lead the design direction, whichever you prefer.
Pricing & Flexibility
How much do you charge?
$5,000 per month for the standard retainer. Custom projects are quoted based on scope, payment split 50/25/25, with a minimum engagement of $2,000.
How do your monthly engagements work?
You pay a flat monthly fee for continuous design support. We deliver updates every other business day and hold optional weekly strategy calls. You can pause or cancel anytime with no long-term lock-in.
Can I use it for just one month?
Yes. No minimums, no long-term lock-in. Use it for a month, pause, come back later. Many clients start with one month and stay because it works.
Can we start small?
Yes. If the retainer is not the right fit, we can scope a custom project with a defined deliverable and timeline. Minimum engagement for custom projects is $2,000.
What happens if we don't use all our retainer time?
Unused retainer time does not roll over month to month, but you can pause once per 30-day cycle to preserve remaining days for up to 60 days. If you resume within that window, we continue with the time left. After 60 days, unused time expires. During a pause, no new work is started.
What if I'm not happy with the work?
We revise until you're happy, that's part of how the retainer works. Design comes down to taste, so if something's off, tell us and we adjust until it's right, no cap on rounds. We ship strong, considered work from the first round, but when it's a matter of preference, we keep going until it matches yours. If the partnership isn't a fit within the first week, we offer a 75% refund.
Process & Communication
Who will I work with day to day?
You work directly with me, Razvan. I lead strategy and I'm your point of contact throughout, plus a senior designer from our team working on your project with me.
How many people will work on my project?
Usually two: me plus a senior designer from our team. You work with the same people throughout, not a rotating team or account manager.
How do we communicate and manage work?
We work through a dedicated Slack Connect channel. You can share briefs however you prefer: Google Docs, Loom videos, or quick messages. We deliver updates every other business day and hold weekly strategy calls to align on priorities and product direction.
Can you work inside our tools?
Yes. We can work in your Figma files, Linear, Notion, or other tools you already use.
What do you need to start?
Access to relevant accounts and materials, a brief or walkthrough of your goals and project, and payment. Briefs can be a Google Doc, a Loom video, or a few Slack messages. We adapt to how you work.
Ownership & Legal
Do we own everything you design and build?
Yes. All design files, assets, and Framer sites are transferred to you. You have full ownership from day one.
How does Framer development work?
It's included in your retainer like any other task. We design your site in Figma first, build it in Framer, then transfer it to your account. You own it fully. Even if our engagement ends, the site stays with you. You keep full ownership and control, and you only pay Framer directly for hosting. There is no lock-in or dependency on us for maintenance or access, though we are happy to keep supporting you if needed.
Do you sign NDAs?
Yes, we are happy to sign an NDA before discussing sensitive details. Our standard NDAs cover a two-year term.
Can you work with sensitive or unreleased products?
Yes. We regularly work on unreleased features and products under NDA.
Timelines
How fast can you start?
Usually within a few days, sometimes the next day. It comes down to our current availability and how urgent your timeline is. If you're on a deadline, tell us on the call and we'll be straight about what's realistic.
How long does a typical project take?
It depends on scope. A landing page might take a week. A full product design might span from one to several months. We break large initiatives into tasks and deliver continuously, so you see progress every few days.
What can slow a project down?
Delayed feedback, unclear briefs, or shifting priorities. We mitigate this by communicating proactively, setting clear expectations upfront, and helping you prioritize what to build next.
Can you work on urgent launches?
If we have capacity, yes. Let us know your deadline during our first conversation and we will tell you immediately if we can hit it.
