Working together
This page explains how collaboration with Sola Studio usually starts, how scope, contracts, and payment are confirmed, and how an inquiry moves toward a project or engagement start. The exact process may differ depending on the service model, scope, materials, access needs, and payment conditions.
How services are structured
Sola Studio’s international business services are mainly structured across four service models: Consulting-Type Services, Report-Type Services, Scoped Services, and Ongoing Support Services. The service model affects how the inquiry proceeds, what needs to be confirmed, how pricing is handled, whether separate contract documents are needed, and when payment is requested.
Sola Studio’s business services are generally provided as professional services performed with due care within the agreed scope, support frame, or stated service conditions. Unless expressly agreed otherwise, they do not guarantee legal or regulatory compliance, accessibility compliance, launch outcomes, revenue improvement, or any other specific result.
Consulting-Type Services
Consulting-Type Services are fixed-format, fixed-fee services provided within a predefined package structure. In the standard flow, they usually proceed through request review, payment, and scheduling or service guidance, without requiring a separate contract or separate NDA as a default.
- Fixed-format and fixed-fee package-style services
- The request is reviewed first, and payment guidance is shared if the service can proceed
- A separate contract or separate NDA is not normally required in the standard flow, though separate handling may be considered if specifically requested
Applicable Services
Report-Type Services
Report-Type Services are fixed-fee, asynchronous services based on detailed forms, required inputs, and supporting materials. After payment and required information sharing, Sola Studio reviews the submitted context and shares a report or other structured shared output within the stated service conditions.
- Fixed-fee, asynchronous services based on forms, required inputs, and materials
- Payment is completed before substantive review work starts
- A separate contract or separate NDA is not normally required in the standard flow, though separate handling may be considered if specifically requested
Applicable Services
Scoped Services
Scoped Services are defined around an agreed target, scope, assumptions, exclusions, materials, access conditions, review period, and shared output. They are suitable where the work can be framed around a specific review target, UX or messaging direction, implementation scope, page, flow, component set, or project stage.
- Scope, assumptions, exclusions, and required materials are confirmed before the service starts
- Pricing is quoted individually based on the agreed scope and service conditions
- Additional requests, changed assumptions, or out-of-scope work may require a separate quote or revised scope
Ongoing Support Services
Ongoing Support Services are provided over an agreed period and support frame. They are suitable where the client needs continuing frontend implementation support, recurring collaboration, or a defined monthly capacity rather than a single fixed-scope review or project.
- Monthly support frame, expected role, collaboration model, and availability are agreed upfront
- Individual tasks and priorities are handled within the agreed support frame
- Renewal terms, notice periods, billing cycle, and payment method are confirmed before the engagement starts
Applicable Services
How work usually starts
Payment
Payment Method
Payment timing and method depend on the service model and are confirmed through the relevant service page, payment guidance, quote, or other service-specific conditions.
| Amount condition | Payment timing |
|---|---|
| Consulting-type services | Advance payment in the stated format for the relevant service |
| Report-type services | Prepaid before substantive review work starts |
| Scoped services — under USD 5,000 | Full payment upfront |
| Scoped services — USD 5,000 or above | Full payment upfront by default. Split payment may be available depending on scope and terms. |
| Ongoing support | Monthly billing, confirmed individually |
- Unless otherwise stated, listed pricing is shown in USD. Payment is accepted in USD or JPY only. JPY amounts are calculated from the listed USD price using the exchange rate in effect when the invoice is issued.
- If JPY is requested, bank transfer may be available on request. For non-JPY currencies, payment is generally handled via Stripe unless otherwise stated.
- For ongoing support, payment method, billing cycle, currency (USD or JPY), any upfront or initial payment requirement, and any platform arrangement are confirmed before the engagement starts. Where both sides agree and it is the better operational fit, recurring billing and payment handling may be arranged through Deel.
- Tax treatment may differ where Japan-side contracting, billing, or other Japan-side legal handling applies. Where applicable, Japanese consumption tax may be included.
Scope changes and additional work
If new needs come up after the scope, capacity, or terms have been agreed, they can be reviewed separately. Additional UX or messaging notes, review targets, pages, flows, copy refinement, translation adjustment, production support, implementation review, increased capacity, or follow-up support may require an adjusted quote, updated terms, a separate SOW, or a new engagement.
Contracts
For Scoped Services and Ongoing Support Services, Sola Studio provides contract templates in an IMSA / SOW format and can also review your team’s preferred contract format where appropriate. For Consulting-Type Services and Report-Type Services, the standard flow does not normally require a separate contract unless separate handling is specifically requested or stated in the relevant service conditions. Final scope, fees, payment terms, NDA handling where relevant, and start conditions are confirmed through the applicable service-specific conditions before substantive work starts.
NDA
Consulting-type services
A separate NDA is not normally required in the standard flow. The baseline confidentiality framework is handled through the Terms of Service and related service conditions unless separate handling is specifically requested.
Report-type services
A separate NDA is not normally required in the standard flow. Report-type services are usually handled based on public URLs, non-confidential materials, or narrowly limited review access. A separate NDA or additional handling is considered only where highly confidential or broader internal information needs to be reviewed.
Scoped services
An NDA is typically arranged before detailed review and formal quoting begins.
Frontend Partner (ongoing support)
An NDA is handled as part of the contract setup process where needed.
Sola Studio has an NDA template available, and can also review your team's preferred NDA from a confidentiality, scope, and operational-fit perspective where appropriate.
Working setup and communication
Remote by default
Sola Studio works remotely by default. Meetings are usually held via Google Meet or, where appropriate, your team’s preferred video tool.
Structured async collaboration
Sola Studio works across time zones using clear written communication, structured handoffs, and agreed meeting windows. Collaboration is planned around realistic overlap so decisions, next steps, and review context remain visible.
Context, rationale, and documentation
The working style emphasizes context, rationale, review notes, and decision records, so implementation and review work can move forward without relying on constant real-time availability.
Existing tools and workflows
Where appropriate, Sola Studio can work with your existing tools and workflows, such as GitHub, Jira, Linear, Slack, Notion, Figma, or Google Workspace. Access approval, permission limits, and security requirements are confirmed as part of the setup.
Access, materials, and timing
Project timing depends on timely access to the relevant materials, accounts, documents, repositories, or review targets. If access or feedback is delayed, the schedule may need to be adjusted.
Tooling and paid accounts
If a paid tool, dedicated account, client environment, or specific platform access is required for the engagement, the setup and any related costs are confirmed before work begins.
Have a potential project or support need?
Use the inquiry form to share a few details about the service, scope, and timing you have in mind. The next step depends on the type of engagement and what needs to be confirmed first.