Terms, clearly explained.

01 — Who these terms apply to.

// Parties — Studio + Client · Per engagement

"Altrix" refers to Altrix Unipessoal Lda., a private studio registered in Lisbon, Portugal (NIPC 516 832 491), with secondary operations in Zürich, Switzerland.

"Client" refers to the individual or legal entity named in the proposal who has engaged Altrix for design, strategy, or related services.

These terms govern every engagement between Altrix and a Client, unless a separate written agreement explicitly supersedes them. By signing or countersigning a proposal, the Client accepts these terms in full.

02 — The proposal.

// Scope — Written · Signed · Binding

Every engagement begins with a written proposal. The proposal defines the scope of work, the deliverables, the timeline, and the fee. It incorporates these terms by reference.

A proposal becomes binding when both parties have signed it — electronically or otherwise. Work does not begin before a signed proposal is in place. We do not hold calendar time without a signed proposal.

// Scope changes Work outside the agreed scope requires a written amendment. We will flag scope creep early and propose an amendment before absorbing additional work. We will never invoice for out-of-scope work that we did not flag in advance.

03 — Fees & invoicing.

// Payment — Milestone-based · Net 14 · No surprises

Fees are stated in the proposal and are fixed unless the scope changes. We invoice in milestones as defined in the proposal. All invoices are due within 14 days of issue.

Invoices are issued via email in PDF format. Payment may be made by bank transfer or Stripe. We do not accept payment by cheque.

// Late payments Invoices overdue by more than 14 days pause active work until cleared. We will notify the Client before pausing. We do not charge late-payment interest on a first overdue instance. Repeat late payment may result in revised milestone terms on future proposals.

04 — Expenses.

// Costs — Pre-approved · At cost · No markup

Out-of-pocket expenses (stock assets, typeface licences, third-party tools, travel if applicable) are billed at cost with no markup, and only when pre-approved by the Client in writing. We will always flag an expense before incurring it.

Expenses are itemised separately on invoices and supported by receipts on request.

05 — Intellectual property.

// Ownership — Client owns finals · Studio retains process

Upon receipt of final payment, the Client receives full ownership of all final deliverables produced specifically for the engagement: visual assets, production files, copy, and code, as applicable per the proposal.

The following remain the property of Altrix at all times:

• Process work — sketches, explorations, rejected directions, internal documentation.

• Pre-existing IP — tools, frameworks, templates, methods, and any work that existed before the engagement.

• Third-party assets — fonts, stock, plugins, and licensed components are governed by their respective licences. Altrix will document any licence requirements that the Client must honour independently.

The Client may not use final deliverables for purposes materially outside the scope described in the proposal without written agreement.

06 — Portfolio & credit.

// Visibility — Default yes · Opt-out available

Altrix reserves the right to include completed work in its portfolio, website, case studies, and press materials, unless the Client requests confidentiality in writing prior to or during the engagement.

Altrix will not publish case studies featuring specific commercial details, metrics, or proprietary information without explicit written approval. Clients may request embargo on publication for a defined period — typically up to 12 months post-launch.

// Quiet engagements If the engagement involves sensitive strategy, pre-launch products, or confidential positioning work, we're happy to agree to full confidentiality on attribution. Just tell us at kickoff and we'll note it in the proposal.

07 — Confidentiality.

// NDA — Mutual · Indefinite on trade secrets · Standard elsewhere

Both parties agree to treat as confidential any non-public information disclosed during the engagement — business plans, financials, unreleased products, client lists, pricing, and similar. This obligation survives the end of the engagement.

Neither party will disclose confidential information to any third party without prior written consent, except where legally required. We apply the same confidentiality standard to sub-contractors and only share information strictly necessary for delivery.

The obligation does not apply to information that is or becomes publicly available through no breach of this agreement, or that was independently known by the receiving party before disclosure.

08 — Client responsibilities.

// Collaboration — Timely feedback · Accurate materials · Named contact

A good engagement requires both sides. The Client agrees to:

• Designate a named contact with authority to approve deliverables and provide feedback on behalf of the Client.

• Provide timely feedback — within the review windows defined in the proposal, typically 5 business days per round.

• Supply accurate materials — briefs, brand assets, copy, legal constraints, and technical requirements. Altrix is not liable for outcomes resulting from incomplete or inaccurate input.

• Obtain necessary rights — for any materials provided to Altrix (photography, copy, trademarks, third-party assets).

Delays caused by the Client — late feedback, unavailability, late payments — may shift the project timeline accordingly. We will communicate timeline impacts in writing as they arise.

09 — Termination.

// Exit — Clean · Fair · Written

Either party may terminate the engagement with 14 days' written notice. On termination:

Ownership of deliverables transfers only upon full settlement of all outstanding amounts. Work completed but not handed over remains with Altrix until cleared.

10 — Liability.

// Limits — Proportionate · No consequential · Force majeure

Altrix's total liability under any engagement is capped at the total fees paid by the Client under that engagement. This applies regardless of the nature of the claim.

Altrix is not liable for indirect, consequential, or speculative losses — including lost revenue, lost profit, reputational damage, or business interruption — arising from the use of deliverables or from delays outside Altrix's reasonable control.

Altrix is not liable for outcomes resulting from the Client's decisions, instructions, or approval of a direction. When the Client approves a deliverable, they accept responsibility for the accuracy and legality of that content.

Neither party is liable for failure to perform obligations caused by circumstances outside their reasonable control (force majeure), provided the affected party gives prompt written notice and makes reasonable efforts to resume performance.

11 — Governing law & disputes.

// Jurisdiction — PT primary · Good faith first · Arbitration before litigation

These terms are governed by Portuguese law. For Clients with principal operations in Switzerland, Swiss law may apply where explicitly agreed in the proposal.

In the event of a dispute, both parties agree to attempt resolution in good faith before pursuing formal proceedings. The sequence is:

1. Direct discussion — a call or meeting between the Client's named contact and the Altrix principal, within 10 business days of the dispute being raised in writing.

2. Mediation — if direct discussion fails, either party may request a neutral mediator, with costs shared equally.

3. Arbitration or litigation — as a last resort, disputes will be submitted to the competent courts of Lisbon, Portugal.

Neither party will initiate litigation without first completing steps 1 and 2 in good faith.

12 — Changes to these terms.

// Change log — Version-controlled · Notice on material changes

We version this document. Cosmetic edits are logged silently. Material changes — anything affecting fees, IP, liability, or termination — are notified to active Clients at least 30 days before they take effect, by direct email.

Terms in force at the time a proposal is signed govern that engagement, regardless of subsequent updates.

// Changelog — 4 entries · Public

— How to reach us.

// Contact — Human · 72h window · No tickets

Questions about these terms are read by a human (currently the founder) inside 72 hours, often same-day. We don't use a ticketing system — just email.

// Commercial office — Direct line Email is the fastest way.