Questions

  • Everyone has an Origin story. It’s like a treasure trove of timeless gems, the building blocks for brands with character, purpose, and staying power. We're committed to unearthing and celebrating each brand's unique tale, crafting authentic and enduring identities. 'Origin' is the essence of finding those priceless gems that make a brand stand out in the ever-evolving landscape.

    Within the ever-evolving narrative of a brand, its story may change, but at the core, who they are remains the same.

  • Origin’s home-base is nestled in the beautiful sticks of Hedgesville, WV, but collaborates with artists, friends and businesses near and far.

  • Absolutely! Origin thrives on collaborating with small businesses, start-ups, and solopreneurs. Origin believes in starting at the ground level, allowing us to build your brand from the roots up. This approach ensures a streamlined process with purposeful design and meticulous quality control every step of the way.

  • Certainly! Origin has partnered with legacy brands that have been in business 100+ years, to hometown heroes fresh to the scene.

  • Even though Origin is a one-woman studio, it’s far from being a lonely island. Origin possesses the capability to assemble a super team for your project's unique demands when needed. The Collective, comprised of experts in Web Development, Web Hosting, Strategic Marketing, Copywriting, Music and Sound, Photography, and Videography, ensures a comprehensive approach under one unified art direction.

    Rest assured, this hand-picked group of experts are an integral part of Origin, and never randomly outsourced or pawned off to the cheapest freelancer. Origin stays at the helm of every project we do, streamlining communication channels between team members and clients, while upholding the creative ingenuity and integrity expected from any Origin experience. My friends are your friends, and we're here to ensure the best outcome for every project.

  • I love meeting clients in person! If you're within a 60-mile radius of Hedgesville, WV, let's schedule a face-to-face rendezvous. Should the project require my presence for those farther away, don't worry—I'm available for travel and currently collaborate with brands overseas. As for communication, we'll mix it up with the convenience of Zoom video calls and the charm of good ol' fashioned phone conversations. Looking forward to connecting!

  • Most projects are presented as a flat fee, or estimation based off of a number of variables such as project type, timeline, complexity and services needed. Hourly rates are implemented sparingly when the scope of the project is not tightly defined, or if we have went beyond our initial scope. Regardless, the client is always made aware of the gameplan before the project start. No gimmicks, no surprises.

  • Yes! Don’t let the stress of finances keep you from growing your brand. Every project is broken up into two installments, however, flexible payment plans are available and can be discussed at the start of your project.

  • At the start of every project, Origin will collaborate with you to dive into your current brand identity and marketing strategies, revisiting your foundation to determine whether it is still a viable place to grow and is properly aligned with your why. It is important that a brand is built over time with a deep understanding of the business, its people and goals. While Origin prefers to be at the helm to guide the process, some exceptions have and do exist. Let’s talk!

  • If you have a story to share, we have an opportunity to work together. Origin works with many industries, but best aligns with creative and lifestyle brands that seek to be a positive force in their communities. A few dream collabs I’m manifesting: food and beverage, conservationists, music and film, holistic and inclusive beauty brands, hospitality and travel, retail, publishing houses, social awareness campaigns, and festivals & events. (Netflix, Post Malone, National Parks– call me, maybe?)

  • Businesses Looking for Quick, Low-Cost Solutions:

    Origin specializes in high-impact, strategic design work, which often involves a deeper brand development process. If you need fast, budget-friendly design without the long-term strategic approach, we may not be the best fit.

    Companies Needing a High Volume of Work Done Quickly:

    Origin typically works with fewer clients at a time to ensure focused attention and quality. If your business requires a high volume of design work completed in a short timeframe, you may need to look for a large firm with greater capacity.

    Brands Focused Only on One-Off Design Pieces:

    Origin excels at developing cohesive, long-term brand identities. If you are seeking only a logo or a single design piece without a broader brand strategy, our services may not fully align with your needs. Typically, Origin are creative partners long-term.

    Companies Not Ready for a Collaborative Design Process:

    Our design process is highly collaborative, involving multiple rounds of feedback and strategy sessions to ensure that your brand’s identity is thoughtfully crafted. If you're looking for a more hands-off approach or prefer a quicker, more independent design process, we may not be the best match.

  • Exciting stuff! Reach out via email and we’ll exchange intros and schedule a video, phone call or in person meet-up to dive deeper into our next steps. From our free kick-off meeting, Origin will create a customized proposal and contract covering our goals, timelines, recommended solutions and pricing. Let’s get acquainted.

  • Absolutely! Origin thrives on curiosity and welcomes creative collaborations. While best suited for conceptual roles such as Art Direction, brand identity work, custom illustration, or launching creative campaigns, Origin may not be the ideal fit for a stand-in production design role. If you're a creative studio or working on an in-house project seeking a fresh perspective collaborative partner, Origin is ready to bring intentionality and narrative design to the table. Let's explore the possibilities together!

  • Origin is the brainchild and alias of Sam Jones (@samanthaleejones) — founder, designer, and occasional traveler. A decent voice impressionist, she’s been told. Get to know more about Sam (that's me!) and delve into the studio's ethos by clicking here.

  • Yes! In May 2024, I was invited to speak at Hagerstown Start Up Week for new businesses, where I gave a seminar on Branding. I’ve been a member of the James Rumsey Technical Institute’s Craft Advisory Committee since 2015. Additionally, I’ve served on AIGA and AAF-GF’s Portfolio Bootcamp for several years and have conducted student portfolio reviews and design talks for Shepherd University, Hagerstown Community College, and Frederick Community College. If you’re interested in having me visit your school or collaborate on a speaking engagement, feel free to reach out via email.