Terms of Service

1. Scope of Work and Fees

The specific project scope and deliverables are defined in the signed proposal. Final deliverables are provided to the client only upon receipt of the final invoice payment.

• Third-party services: Quotes exclude outsourced costs such as photography, copywriting, and printing. Clients are responsible for sourcing and paying these providers directly. While I may provide recommendations for convenience, all final arrangements remain between the client and the third-party supplier.
• Agreement confirmation: Please review the proposal carefully before signing. Your signature and deposit confirm that the terms accurately reflect our agreement.

2. Deposits and Payments

• Deposit requirement: A 50% deposit is required upfront to secure the project in the studio schedule and allow work to commence. This deposit is non-refundable once work has begun.
• Payment schedule: The remaining 50% is due immediately upon project completion.
• Late payments: In accordance with standard practice, the studio reserves the right to charge interest at a rate of 2% per month on any balances outstanding beyond 30 days.
• Method: Preferred payment is via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). Upon receipt of the deposit, I will request the necessary assets to begin the project.

3. Intellectual Property and Ownership

• Transfer of rights: Ownership and usage rights of final deliverables are granted to the client only upon receipt of full and final payment.
• Unpaid concepts: All drafts, sketches, and preliminary files remain the property of Michael Viljoen Studio until the final invoice is settled. Unauthorised use of unpaid concepts may result in legal action.
• Portfolio rights: I reserve the right to showcase completed projects within the studio Archive and The Journal. Should confidentiality be required, please inform the studio in writing prior to signing the proposal.

4. Source and Working Files

• Ownership of IP: All preliminary drafts, design files, and source files (e.g., layered .psd, .ai, or .indd files) remain the sole intellectual property of Michael Viljoen Studio.
• Deliverable formats: Clients are granted usage rights to the final, completed output files (e.g., .jpg, .png, .pdf, .svg) as specified in the proposal.
• Release of source files: The release of working/source files requires a separate written agreement and will incur an additional licensing fee.

5. SaaS and Third-Party Subscriptions

The studio does not manage or purchase SaaS (software as a service) or hosting subscriptions on behalf of clients. All hosting and licensing fees must be paid directly to the provider by the client. While I can assist with account setup, financial maintenance remains the client’s sole responsibility.

6. Cancellation and Suspension

• Mid-project cancellation: If a project is cancelled by the client after commencement, the initial 50% deposit is retained. A partial refund of any further payments may be considered based on the volume of work completed.
• Studio inability: A full or partial refund may be granted if the studio is unable to complete a project due to unforeseen circumstances.
• Project suspension: I reserve the right to suspend or terminate a project without refund in instances of repeated delays in payment or a fundamental breakdown in the professional working relationship.

7. Responsibilities and Disclaimers

• Verification: Clients must verify the accuracy of all artwork before providing files to third-party suppliers (e.g., printers or sign writers).
• Liability: Michael Viljoen Studio is not liable for production costs, errors, or losses resulting from mistakes in final artwork once the client has provided final approval for production.
• Office Hours: General studio hours are Monday–Friday, 08:00–16:30.

8. Studio and Banking Information‍

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Entity: Michael Viljoen T/A Michael Viljoen Studio

‍Address: 18 Rivers Edge Road, Table View, 7441, South Africa

Banking Details:

• Account Name: Michael Viljoen Studio
• Bank: Nedbank (Cheque Account)
• Account Number: 1308405391
• Branch Code: 198765