Questions tagged [freelance]

Questions about work while self-employed and not committed to a particular employer long-term. Freelancers are sometimes represented by a company or an agency that resells their labor and that of others to its clients with or without project management and labor contributed by its regular employees. Others are completely independent. "Independent contractor" would be the term used in a higher register of English.

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3 answers
250 views

Freelance design contract offer - Regarding the "ownership of work product" - what is really owned?

I am relatively new to working in design, based in the UK, currently freelancing and have been working with one company in particular (also UK based) for many months now. They have recently suggested ...
13 votes
4 answers
2k views

What should be in a job contract?

Inspired by the great answers from this question, what are things you would include in a graphic design job contract? Are there items or conditions you would have in a freelance contract that aren't ...
12 votes
3 answers
10k views

Do you expect a client to pay for a design they don't like?

Situation: a long time client (at this point I've done consistent work for them for about two years) just messaged me saying they do not want me to bill them for the last design I did because it was ...
0 votes
3 answers
70 views

What should I do if packaging design client promises to pay only when he receives the sample prints from his vendor? [closed]

I am working on a packaging design project. I have already delivered the print ready files to the client and to the vendor hired by the client for the printing. However the client is promising me to ...
1 vote
1 answer
55 views

Would I provide client with an initial comp for magazine design?

I am new to freelance design and would love some advice on how to deal with a magazine design project. I will be designing a magazine for a client. Would I provide them with some kind of initial comp ...
4 votes
5 answers
1k views

Freelance graphic design - who sends the proofs?

I am a freelance graphic artist. I deal with a print broker. He has clients that he needs proofs for for print projects. I set up the proofs. Is it my responsibility as a rule to send the proofs to ...
-3 votes
1 answer
196 views

how much should I pay my graphic designers for clothing? [closed]

I have 2 graphic designers working for me right now, one a senior level, and the other is at amateur level. WE'RE currently paying per design by a fixed cost and commission. The senior graphic ...
5 votes
3 answers
2k views

Are graphic designers required to print things for clients?

I'd like to start doing design work but I always get caught up on this question... If I design something for a client, am I also required to handle the print work?
0 votes
1 answer
90 views

Transitioning from Fulltime Freelance to Full time job

I am Graphic Designer. I've been fulltime freelancing with a company (say Mickey Mouse) and now I am trying to transition from freelance to a fulltime job in another company ( say Mini Mouse). I am ...
16 votes
4 answers
3k views

Not fond of time related pricing - what's a better way?

I'm still struggling with pricing. How does one best calculate flat rates for commercial design or illustration work? I don't like the hourly rate thing. I just can't seem to properly gauge the amount ...
4 votes
4 answers
1k views

Charge someone for wasted time?

So I have a guy that I do regular work for but he's flaky at the best of times, sometimes he takes an age to pay, sometimes he "didn't receive the invoice", sometimes he is super vague in his brief "I ...
4 votes
3 answers
2k views

How to handle freelance designers that fail to meet expectations?

Lately we've been slammed we decided to out-source projects that a few designers would provide source files to. Per the initial contract terms and requirements with a spec delivery sheet are agreed ...
4 votes
2 answers
245 views

How to extract a client's logo expectations

I have a several years experience doing visual identity design. I primarily do them for companies from small startups to mid-size businesses. I have been paid by a friend who used my services for ...
2 votes
1 answer
231 views

Advice on freelancing in the same field as your day job

I have a day job in graphic design, but I'm looking to start doing some freelance on the side. I have a couple of questions/concerns... 1-All my work on my portfolio site would be work I created at ...
5 votes
1 answer
190 views

Client wants to use my designs on multiple websites - Do I charge extra?

I'm a freelancing screen designer and a client (a small agency) asked me, if I could design a landing page template which they can use on multiple clients websites from the same niche (real estate). ...
1 vote
2 answers
481 views

How should I make my retainer contract fair for me and the client? How do retainer agreements usually work?

Theyre kind of a big corporation with multiple brands. They had a full time offer for me but I said I can't do it since their office is too far so I opted for their part-time option. Now they have ...
18 votes
4 answers
6k views

Client wants me to teach them InDesign

My client wants me to teach them how to do basic editing in InDesign. This is after, against my better judgement, I had agreed to give them the source files of the documents I created in favor of ...
12 votes
5 answers
4k views

Should you offer multiple logo design options to the client or just one final design?

When designing a logo for a client, do you offer multiple options, so 3 different logos for example? Or do you offer just 1? How do you price for these?
30 votes
7 answers
7k views

I am a client and my work is being delegated without informing me

I am a client who posted on Linkedin a request if somebody would be interested in designing a thesis cover for me. I had a few responses and decided to go with a person who offered me the following (...
4 votes
6 answers
360 views

Client is turning my booklet design into a website - how to charge for this?

Designed a print booklet for my client and I charge an hourly rate. I work for them freelance on an ongoing basis and they already paid that invoice. Next, they got the web designer to use the booklet ...
7 votes
4 answers
4k views

Why was my experience with a logo contest so miserable?

I'm starting out as a freelance designer (and no job experience at any company before) and I decided to join "contests" held by freelancer.com's users. I've joined several of them already and I can ...
2 votes
1 answer
258 views

How to handle rejection from a client and would you bill for work not used? [duplicate]

Would you bill a client even if they end up not using your work? A client of mine had initially liked and chosen one of my designs but then a friend of their friend offered something different that ...
4 votes
3 answers
140 views

Turning down a job while leaving the door open for future work?

Would love some tips on how to turn down a project while still leaving the door open for future work with a client. Background - This potential client saw an annual report I created for a nonprofit ...
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

When to use original artwork / when to use stock

I've been working on my own as a graphic designer, illustrator and animator for over a decade. When I first started, I created most of my artwork from scratch. I have fond memories of those years, ...
46 votes
7 answers
109k views

What price should I charge for design services?

I was hoping I would find some people in the industry that could help me decide what's the best price to charge to design (in this case) business cards. What are standard prices for professional ...
0 votes
2 answers
987 views

Legal copyright for making text based logos?

I've just started off being a freelance graphic designer (wooo adventure), but I've a question about using texts when making logos. From what I understand, Typefaces don't have copyright; so I want to ...
19 votes
5 answers
3k views

Do my potential customers need to understand the "meaning" of a logo, or just recognize it?

I'm trying to come up with a logo for a web devlopment freelance company called Two-Bit Studios. The logo concept that I came up with involves a 1 and 0 combined to make a lowercase 'b'. To me as a ...
4 votes
1 answer
5k views

How does one price something like a corporate annual report?

I was asked to provide a quote for an annual report (40 pages) and quoted a general hourly rate. However, as I hear, many graphic designers charge by page number, and include other costs like graphic ...
1 vote
3 answers
114 views

Client made drastic changes after we finalized, what should I put in my portfolio?

So I worked with a community service type of client for pretty cheap last summer and created a really gorgeous design for a mobile shower they rolled out this last fall. They have since changed my ...
53 votes
2 answers
16k views

What should I do if a potential client claims my pricing is too high?

I gave a possible client a price estimation for concept of a character, and making it 3D as well. Now I find out that my estimation is double what he is paying his current artists. He never mentioned ...
18 votes
6 answers
5k views

Just how much information should you share with a former client?

I know this is subjective to a degree. I am asking for best practice or experienced input. TL;DR: How willing should a designer be to share specific job specifications with a past client after the ...
15 votes
2 answers
1k views

Can I sell rejected logos to other clients?

Can a designer save rejected logos and sell these to other clients in the future?
11 votes
3 answers
3k views

Should I be charging for the social media versions of designs?

I'm designing A1 posters with a Facebook header and Instagram post version of each poster. I'm charging hourly for the posters, but should I also be charging for the time it takes to design the ...
7 votes
5 answers
1k views

Regular client increasing workload

I have been working as a contractor for this company. It is a non-profit company. They pay me a monthly salary. I do their graphic and web work. I first started as a one job, create their website ...
12 votes
5 answers
4k views

Is it right to use the ideas of non-winning designers in a design contest?

I am a mobile developer. I want to create my own mobile app, so I ran a contest for the mobile design. Many good designers participated in the contest. I get lots of good ideas from almost all of ...
1 vote
1 answer
3k views

Where can I find web design projects?

I am a recently graduated graphic designer. I would like to know if there are any worthwhile websites that I could present my portfolio and receive or look for job offers. I have came across the ...
13 votes
8 answers
15k views

How should a designer communicate price is negotiable to a client?

While in the stages of a bid, quote, or proposal I was curious how should a designer communicate "price is negotiable" in a professional manner instead of stating the simple fact. I know it's ...
0 votes
2 answers
75 views

Need tips on creativity and inspiration [closed]

I am getting into motion graphics, video editing, some 2d and 3d, compositing (the whole vfx pack). I am getting good at handling the software I am using, and have completed a bunch of tutorials and ...
2 votes
2 answers
132 views

Resale of design to another client?

To preface, I'm an occasional freelancer (it's not my main income by far) and still fairly new to working with clients. I created a business card design for a client and am showing this design on my ...
3 votes
2 answers
127 views

What illustration agencies or service sites provide the greatest benefits to the artists?

[NOTE: THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR APPLICANTS.] I'm a graphic designer in the fortunate position of having enough work that I'm looking to hire an illustrator for some overflow work. Finding a ...
18 votes
5 answers
4k views

Customer Requests (Sometimes) Drive Me Bonkers!

Like lots of you, I do freelance graphic design and content creation (copywriting and traditional artwork, some photography) and generally I have no issue with customer requests and/or complaints, or '...
12 votes
9 answers
23k views

What is "standard markup" for purchases which need to be passed on to the client?

Let's say I'm designing a site, and Client and I agree that I'm going to purchase a slideshow to use on Client's site. The slideshow code costs $30. I will mark this up to compensate me for my time ...
1 vote
1 answer
87 views

Pragmatic or theoretic approach towards designing something (mainly logo/branding)?

So basically, I've been studying graphic design or design of visual communication for 4 years and now entering my final year. I've been studying all the elements such as illustration, photography, ...
-3 votes
2 answers
120 views

Where can I find the best fonts online?

Sites like Font Squirrel and Space Fonts have some good type faces, but every time I see an effective logo it always has this stellar font that fits the image perfectly. I'm wondering 'where is ...
22 votes
10 answers
18k views

I'm a beginner: my client won't answer simple questions I've asked to aid design, what to do?

It's my first time designing for any one Email sent:. Hi [Client]! If you wouldn't mind answering a few questions I need to know so I can communicate your brand better and have a better sight as ...
4 votes
2 answers
167 views

Charge for the same design but different client?

I designed a kids handbook for a prayer group a few years ago. I just got an email from the woman I worked with and she said another person from a different place asked if it is possible to somehow ...
9 votes
6 answers
6k views

I have a client who keeps asking for quotations but never follows through

I'm fairly new to freelancing and have an issue that I'm not sure how to tackle. I'm still struggling to get paid work so every potential job is very important, however I've had so many time wasters. ...
8 votes
4 answers
2k views

How to appropriately charge a client for past resources?

Freelance based question..... Scenario: A piece was designed two years ago. In the piece there are several client-supplied photographs. When the original piece was designed, the only image ...
2 votes
2 answers
83 views

How to deal a freelance design project remotely?

When a client approach a designer via social media to make a design job, how to deliver that project to the client keeping a security payment? The designer can't just mail the project and wait for ...
53 votes
9 answers
12k views

Selling a logo to a business who did not ask for one

One of my projects in college was to recreate a logo for a local business. The professor picked the business and I do not believe the business owners know about it. Since my logo has won several ...