Due to the Iowa floods this year and with Christmas hovering around the corner, I'm going to give commissions a try. Since I am new to taking commissions, I am offering special reduced rates starting at $25 USD.

I didn't realize writing an agreement took so long. This has taken me all day to put together.


Commissions aren't for everyone. Even undervalued commissions can be out of budget for many (we all know this from experience as starving artists, right?).

If you are the type of individual who likes to create your own projects, then a commission might not be the way to go. I have several CSS layouts available to the public that can be customized and edited. Feel free to use my existing works as a base for your own. Of course, there is already a large collection of layouts available on dA that may be more to your liking. Check here to see them.

However, many of us do not have the time and/or inclination to design their own CSS. Some may have the design skills but would prefer not to learn XHTML and CSS. While not particularly difficult, there is a learning curve in web design.

If you feel you fit into the latter category, you may decide that it's in your best interest to commission a custom journal layout.


If you decide that a commission is still for you, or have questions about the process, send me a note through deviantART. I receive many comments a day, so inquiries by means other than noting are likely to be lost or overlooked.

Tell me as much about the preferred design as possible. Colours, images, desired number of columns, sketches, mockups, etc are a good start. There is never too much information at this stage. Referencing another design, either as an existing journal layout or a traditional web page, is a big help.

I will then determine if the desired layout is something possible for me and whether or not I will accept the client's request. As soon as the proposal is accepted I will work further with the client on the specifics of the layout and accept any graphics. The design will be reviewed periodically with the client to ensure satisfaction.

Please be aware: if there is too little information for me to feel confident that I can meet the client's expectations, I will be forced to reject the proposal.


Because I am new to the commission process, I am offering an introductory rate of $25 USD for basic designs. If you are not American, you get an excellent deal . Advanced designs that need a lot of new graphics and/or may need extra coding work have an introductory rate of $35 USD.

Half of the fee will be collected when I accept the commission. The rest of the fee is due within twenty-four (24) hours upon receipt of the final CSS.

Commission fees are accepted through PayPal. This is a verified account that has been active since 2002.


A basic CSS will take roughly seven (7) to ten (10) days for the necessary research, creating graphics, coding the journal and bug testing the final design.

Advanced designs or those with high graphical content will take up to fourteen (14) days, possibly more depending on the design.

If I run into problems with a commission, I will note the client to discuss the issue and how it affects when the CSS is completed.


If you want a very simple CSS layout, first look at the existing journal layouts on dA. Be sure to check the license/usage agreement as many deviants do not allow alterations to their designs. Still, there are many layouts available that can be customized to fit your needs.

If you are still interested in commissioning a CSS layout, keep in mind that deviantART journals have several design quirks.

The journal is dynamic in the sense that it constantly changes width depending on the visitor's screen resolution and whether it is displayed on the user's profile or the journal pages. This poses many design challenges.

Coding in deviantART is also different from normal web coding, rendering many common CSS tricks nearly impossible to duplicate in journals. Since I am familiar with CSS and dA restrictions, I can quickly determine if certain design elements are possible and provide workable alternatives where necessary.


I design for Firefox 3 and multiple versions of Internet Explorer (6.0 and higher).

At this time I do not work directly with Opera, Safari or any other minor browser. This does not mean I cannot design for these browsers, only that it will be more difficult to troubleshoot. The good news is that these less common browsers tend to be relatively web standards compliant and work roughly the same as Firefox. I have heard in the past that my designs work fine in Safari.

If you are a user of one of these browsers, I can attempt to fix issues if I am provided screenshots.


Once the client is satisfied with the completed CSS, I will turn over the final code and graphics. No further design work and/or modifications will be done on the journal. Additional modifications must be made by the client. Bug fixes are excepted and will be addressed as they arise.

The client must agree to the following terms:

1. The client must have an account with access to journal modifications. This includes subscribers (*), beta testers ( = ), seniors (`) and dA staff ($, ¢, ^, etc.).


2. The client may use the custom layout on any of his/her personal deviantART subscriber accounts.


3. The client is permitted to make modifications to the custom layout.


4. The client will not resell the custom layout.


5. The client will not redistribute the original or modified custom layout.


6. Upon the loss of his/her subscription, the client may choose to wholly transfer the custom layout to another deviantART user. Once transferred, the original client may no longer use the layout, existing journals excluded.


7. The first payment must be received before the actual layout designing commences.


8. The final payment must be completed through Paypal within 24 hours after the receipt of the final layout.


9. The credit for `ClaireJones must not be removed.


10. Claire Jones is permitted to manipulate the client's original images to work with the CSS layout.


11. The client must upload any and all graphics to his/her own image hosting service (ie, Photobucket).


12. Claire Jones is permitted to upload a screenshot only of the final CSS layout to her deviantART gallery/portfolio.


13. Claire Jones is permitted keep a live version of the journal layout. This is important in case the client discovers a bug somewhere down the road or in the event that dA changes their CSS standards and something no longer works. Old journals are converted to test new layouts, so they shouldn't be seen by the general public.


14. Graphics for the live journal are to be kept on Claire Jones's own Photobucket account, unless the client strongly objects. In such cases, the new URLs must be provided to the client's images.


15. Additional graphics under Creative Common licenses may also be included into the design and remain under their existing license. Such work must be credited on each posted journal.


16. Terms and conditions are subject to change.

Claire Jones agrees to the following terms:

1. Layouts will be completed in a timely manner, in accordance with the time lines set above or discussed with the client.


2. Original images/graphics designed by the client will remain the user's exclusive property.


3. Claire Jones will not use the original graphics given by the client in further projects, unless this is allowable by the client.


4. Any custom graphics designed by Claire Jones will be turned over to the client, along with the source files. These files are supplied under a Creative Commons license and may be altered as desired. Generally, GIMP is used to design graphics, but are also exported to PSD files for Photoshop users.


5. If the CSS is a completely original design (ie, innovative CSS code), the layout will not be used in public journal CSS or other commissions. Note, that designing similar layouts is considered different and allowable.

I have a strong background in HTML/XHTML. I am knowledgeable in web browser standards, cross-browser troubleshooting, and web trends. Furthermore, the past couple of years have been dedicated to producing CSS driven web layouts in a variety of styles, both at deviantART and elsewhere on the Internet. I also am familiar with javascript, PHP/MySQL, XML and RSS.

For nearly two years, I have offered dA subscribers high quality journal CSS layouts. Most of my designs have been featured by deviants and deviantART staff in journals and news articles. My most popular design, Simple + Clean CSS Layout, received a Daily Deviation.

Due to my varied interests, I have a mixed background in mathematics and art. I have long had an interest in computer programming and traditional mathematics. My first serious foray into the arts was charcoal/graphite drawing. Later, I progressed to beading (wire, peyote and brick stitch) and pattern designing. I've also dabbled with ceramics painting, digital painting, web design, pottery and porcelain. More recently, I discovered fractal art, which combines my interest of math with art.

On deviantART, I am known for my fractal art, journal layouts, and application resources. I have received a total of three Daily Deviations, one in each of these areas, and was honoured in 2007 with senior status.