Questions

The things people usually ask.

Straight answers, no hedging. If yours isn't here, ask me directly and I'll tell you honestly.

The studio

What is Happy Hour Studio?: An independent graphic design studio led by Sarah Hogan, based in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex. It makes warm, clear, big-hearted design for museums, galleries, arts organisations, charities, good causes and small businesses.
Who will actually do my project?: I will. It's a one-designer studio, so the person you brief is the person designing, and there's no account layer in between.
What experience sits behind it?: Ten years in-house in London design teams — the British Museum, Art Fund and British Red Cross — before going independent.
Where are you based, and do you work remotely?: St Leonards-on-Sea in East Sussex, about ninety minutes from central London. I work with clients across the UK and worldwide, and come to London regularly for meetings and briefings.

What kinds of design do you take on?: Brand identity and visual systems, campaign and marketing design, advertising and out-of-home, editorial and print design, packaging, illustration and art direction, and design for children's publishing. I don't design exhibition graphics, interpretation or wayfinding.
Which sectors do you specialise in?: Museums and galleries, arts and heritage organisations, charities and good causes, and small independent businesses and founders.
Do you build websites?: I design the brand and its digital direction, and can design and build a straightforward site or work alongside your developer.
Can you work inside our existing brand guidelines?: Yes. A lot of my institutional work is campaign and editorial design inside an established brand.
Do you take on small projects?: Yes — a single piece of print, a menu, a set of social templates. Small jobs are welcome and quoted honestly.

How long does a project take?: A brand identity is usually four to eight weeks. Campaigns depend on the print and media deadlines. Small pieces of print can be days rather than weeks.
What does it cost?: Every project is quoted individually after a first conversation, based on scope rather than an hourly rate, so you know the number before we start. See Working together for how that's structured.
Do I own the artwork?: Yes. On completion the final design and artwork are yours to use, and you get organised, usable files — not a single flattened logo.
How do you handle accessibility?: Contrast, type size, reading heights and plain-language hierarchy are considered from the first sketch rather than checked at sign-off.
What do you need from me to start?: Not a finished brief. A sense of what you're making, who it's for and roughly when it needs to exist is enough for a first conversation.
Are you taking on new work?: Usually, yes — availability shifts through the year, so get in touch and I'll tell you honestly when I could start.
What are your working hours?: Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00 UK time. Email is the fastest way to reach me: hello@happyhourstudio.co.uk.

More on how projects run: Working together · My approach

Ask me directly — there's no such thing as too early or too small a question.