Terms of Use

Effective Date: March 24, 2026  |  Last Updated: March 24, 2026

These terms govern your use of the JA Design website and set the baseline for how we work together. Client-specific engagements are governed by a separate Client Agreement, which takes precedence.


1. Agreement to Terms
By visiting jadesign.co or contacting JA Design Studio, LLC, you agree to these Terms of Use. If you don't agree, please don't use the site. That's a reasonable trade. These terms apply to website visitors and prospective clients. Active client engagements are governed by a signed Client Agreement, which supersedes these terms where they conflict.


‍2. Who We Are and What We Do
JA Design Studio, LLC is a branding and design systems agency based in Charlotte, North Carolina. We develop brand identities, governance systems, and collateral infrastructure for mid-size companies that need more than a visual refresh.
The content on this site — case studies, articles, frameworks, and process documentation — is educational and informational. It doesn't constitute professional consulting advice, and engaging with it doesn't create a client relationship.


‍3. Use of This Website
You may use jadesign.co for legitimate purposes — learning about our services, reviewing our work, or getting in touch. The following uses are not permitted:
- Copying, reproducing, or distributing site content without written permission
- Using automated tools to scrape or index the site
- Attempting to access restricted areas of the site
- Impersonating JA Design or misrepresenting a relationship with us
- Submitting false or misleading information through any contact form
- Any use that violates applicable law or the rights of others

We reserve the right to block access for users who violate these terms.


‍4. Intellectual Property Our Content
‍ Everything on jadesign.co — the writing, design, case study content, frameworks, and visual identity — is owned by JA Design Studio, LLC and protected by applicable copyright and intellectual property law. You may reference or quote our content with proper attribution. You may not republish, sell, or present it as your own.

‍Client Work
‍ Intellectual property ownership for work produced in client engagements is governed by the signed Client Agreement. Standard practice is that ownership transfers to the client upon receipt of full payment, except where pre-existing JA Design IP (frameworks, templates, systems components) is incorporated — in which case clients receive a perpetual license to use that work.
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‍Submitted Materials
Any brand assets, documents, or content you submit to us for a project remain your property. By sharing them, you grant JA Design a limited license to use them for the purpose of delivering your project.


‍5. Inquiries and Project Engagement
Submitting a contact form or booking a discovery call does not create a client relationship or obligate either party to work together. A formal engagement begins only when both parties have signed a Client Agreement and the applicable deposit has been received. Initial consultations are exploratory. Any strategic input shared during a discovery call is offered in good faith, but does not constitute billable deliverables.


‍6. Payment Terms Specific payment schedules, rates, and terms are defined in each Client Agreement. General practices:
- Project engagements typically require a deposit before work begins
- Milestone payments are tied to deliverable stages
- Retainer arrangements are billed monthly in advance
- Overdue balances accrue late fees as specified in the Client Agreement
- Work product is not transferred until payment is received in full
For questions about billing, contact hello@jadesign.co.


‍7. Confidentiality
We take confidentiality seriously — both yours and ours. Information you share with us about your business, strategy, or challenges is treated as confidential and used solely for the purpose of serving you. We don't discuss client details with third parties without explicit permission.
Formal NDA provisions for client engagements are addressed in the Client Agreement. If you need a standalone NDA before a discovery conversation, we're happy to accommodate that.


‍8. Portfolio and Case Studies
Unless otherwise specified in a Client Agreement, JA Design reserves the right to display completed work in our portfolio, case studies, and marketing materials. We'll use judgment — we're not going to embarrass anyone.
If you have specific confidentiality requirements around public attribution, note them at the start of the engagement and we'll formalize them in the Client Agreement.


‍9. Disclaimers
The JA Design website and its content are provided on an "as is" basis. We make no warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or fitness for any particular purpose of the information on this site.
We don't guarantee that the site will always be available, error-free, or free of viruses. We'll fix things when they break, but we can't promise perfection.
Results discussed in case studies and examples reflect specific engagements and are not a guarantee of outcomes. Every brand situation is different.


‍10. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, JA Design Studio, LLC shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of this website or our services — including loss of revenue, data, or business opportunity.
Our total liability in connection with any claim arising from these terms or your use of the site shall not exceed the greater of (a) the amount you paid us in the 90 days preceding the claim, or (b) $100 USD. Nothing in these terms limits liability for fraud, gross negligence, or willful misconduct.


‍11. Indemnification
‍ You agree to indemnify and hold harmless JA Design Studio, LLC, its members, contractors, and affiliates from any claims, damages, or expenses (including attorney fees) arising from your use of this site, your violation of these terms, or your violation of any third-party rights.


‍12. Third-Party Links and Tools
Our website links to third-party tools, platforms, and resources we find useful. These links don't constitute endorsements, and we're not responsible for the content, availability, or privacy practices of those sites.


‍13. Changes to These Terms
We'll update these Terms of Use when our practices, services, or applicable law require it. Changes take effect when posted. Continued use of the site after an update means you accept the revised terms. We'll flag material changes at the top of this page and note the effective date.


‍14. Governing Law and Disputes
These terms are governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina, without regard to conflict of law provisions. Any disputes arising from these terms shall be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and you consent to personal jurisdiction there. Before initiating formal proceedings, we ask that you contact us first. Most things can be resolved with a direct conversation. hello@jadesign.co.


‍15. Severability
‍ If any provision of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions stay in full force. The unenforceable provision will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid.


‍16. Entire Agreement
These Terms of Use, together with our Privacy Policy and any applicable Client Agreement, constitute the entire agreement between you and JA Design Studio, LLC regarding your use of this site. They supersede any prior communications or representations.


‍17. Contact
Questions, concerns, or requests related to these terms:
Email: hello@jadesign.co
Website: jadesign.co/contact
Entity: JA Design Studio, LLC — Charlotte, NC  

‍These terms are written to be read, not to obscure. If something is unclear, ask us. We'd rather you understand what you're agreeing to.