Creative Retainer | Illustrator & Art Director | Art Services

Starting at

$

2,500

/wk

About this service

Summary

My Creative Retainer is a flexible way to bring expert illustration and art direction into your business without hiring in-house. Perfect for brands, agencies, and small to mid-size businesses, this service gives you consistent creative support tailored to your needs. With over a decade of experience, I bring a thoughtful mix of strategic insight and hand-drawn artistry to every project. Whether it’s packaging, campaigns, or visual storytelling, I offer daily, weekly, and monthly rates to align with your timeline. Together, we’ll build a creative rhythm that delivers smart, vibrant, on-brand visuals.

Process

While each project and scope varies, you can expect these values from me:
Collaborative Kickoff – We start with a conversation to understand your goals, timeline, and vision so we’re aligned from the beginning.
Thoughtful Concepting – I bring strategic thinking and creative problem-solving to each phase, always keeping your audience and brand in mind.
Handcrafted Visuals – Every project includes original, hand-drawn artwork infused with vibrant color, texture, and personality.
Clear Communication – You’ll get timely updates, organized files, and a transparent workflow from start to finish.
Creative Intuition – I bring a decade of experience and a strong visual instinct, offering ideas and details that elevate the final outcome.

FAQs

  • What's the creative process like?

    Each project is tailored to your unique needs, but my process typically includes discovery, concept development, sketching, final art, and delivery. I start by learning about your goals, timeline, and deliverables. From there, I provide initial concepts or sketches for feedback before moving to final artwork. Clear communication and collaboration are key - expect regular updates and a thoughtful, professional experience from start to finish.

  • How quickly can we start?

    I like to be accommodating with various project timelines and schedules. Reach out to discuss your scope and my availability. If I’m unable to accept your project, I’m happy to refer you to another trusted creative.

  • What does the payment process look like?

    For most projects, payment is broken into 2 equal payments. 50% of the total cost is due before work begins. The remaining 50% is due upon final project approval before final files are delivered.

  • How long does this process take?

    It depends on the scope of your project. We can figure this out together after discussing deliverables, timeline, and availability. Client responsiveness is key to efficient project completion.

What's included

  • Custom Deliverables Based on Your Project Scope

    Every creative retainer is tailored to your unique needs. Whether you’re launching a new product line, building out a campaign, or refreshing your brand visuals, deliverables are crafted to align with your goals, timeline, and style. You'll get custom work that combines strategy, art, and enthusiasm.

  • Dedicated Attention to Your Project

    When you book me, your project becomes my focus. You’ll have my creative brain and hands fully committed during your retainer period - ensuring momentum, thoughtful execution, and fewer rounds of back-and-forth. It's like having an in-house illustrator and art director without the overhead.

  • A Multidisciplinary Creative with 10+ Years of Illustration & Art Direction

    With over a decade of experience working on national brands, editorial stories, and packaging for consumer goods, I bring both big-picture thinking and meticulous craft. From concept to final artwork, I blend storytelling, strategy, and whimsy to deliver creative that connects.

  • Thoughtful Art Direction and Custom Illustration

    I don’t just make things look good - I make sure they feel intentional. Whether it’s a suite of branded illustrations, a campaign visual system, or an illustrated map, you’ll get a cohesive, well-thought-out visual language that fits seamlessly into your brand or publication.

  • Who is this for?

    This creative offering is perfect for brands, agencies, and small to mid-size businesses that need a consistent creative partner. It’s great for teams with ongoing illustration needs, seasonal campaigns, packaging expansions, or storytelling projects that could benefit from fresh visuals and a hands-on art director.

  • How do we get started?

    Take a look through my portfolio at www.hmillerink.com to see if my style and approach align with your vision. If it’s a match, get in touch to schedule a discovery call. We’ll chat through your goals, timeline, and scope, then determine if a day rate, weekly, or monthly retainer is the right fit. From there, we’ll map out a creative schedule that works for both of us.

Recommendations

(5.0)

Mike Licari

Client • Apr 9, 2025

Heather was great to work with! She was thoughtful, communicative, and she exceeded my expectations. The illustration was perfect to capture the fun and creative vibe I was looking for, highly recommend!

Nikki Nandrasy • NikNan Design

Client • Apr 9, 2025

I had the pleasure of collaborating with Heather of H Miller Ink on a branding project for a non-profit client. Heather is incredibly talented and brought so much creativity and professionalism to the project. Her reliability and attention to detail made the process smooth and stress-free. I highly recommend her for adding an illustrative touch to branding projects!


Skills and tools

Art Director

Artist

Illustrator

Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Creative Suite

Adobe Creative Suite

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe InDesign

Adobe InDesign

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop

Industries

Arts & Entertainment
Advertising
Design