Okay, let’s tackle this. So Rob Smelik has a solid foundation in design skills like Art Direction, Typography, and Web Design. He also has experience in corporate branding and advertising. Location is Fairfax, Virginia, which is a relatively affordable area for design talent. Considering his skills and experience, I'd estimate his hourly rate to be around $75, which is on the lower end of the scale for a designer with these skills in the US. This rate is also influenced by the fact that he doesn't have any advanced degrees or certifications, which could also impact his earning potential.