59
votes
I'm a beginner: my client won't answer simple questions I've asked to aid design, what to do?
Make a phone call. Do not use an e-mail for this interview.
You can't even know if he is answering this questions or he is just mentioning some previous ideas he has.
If it is unpaid... do not do it. ...
- 34.8k
48
votes
$300 Logo Redesign as "Trial" Project for Possible Full-time Position
Pretty much all Gen-Y or young "startup" use that "let's see if we're a good fit" catch phrase. And promise "more work coming" blablabla. Seriously.
In other words, it ...
- 13.6k
48
votes
Selling a logo to a business who did not ask for one
There's many good answers for this.
One thing I can suggest is to simply present the logo to the real business by explaining it the same way you did here! The fact that your logo got a lot of ...
- 13.6k
42
votes
Accepted
How long are designers expected to keep client files?
My business is not a backup service for any client.
All clients should be backing up the files they've received on their own. It's not my responsibility to be an indefinite backup service for any ...
- 204k
40
votes
$300 Logo Redesign as "Trial" Project for Possible Full-time Position
If they want to try you out (fair enough), and their budget is $300, offer something else you are willing to do for that price (a business card proposal? A presentation template? a website banner?) ...
- 7,239
37
votes
Accepted
Client wants me to teach them InDesign
I include a disclaimer when delivering native files:
.... makes no promise, provides no guarantee, and offers no support, for the continued use, alteration, or editing of native files after files ...
- 204k
36
votes
Accepted
I am a client and my work is being delegated without informing me
This sounds exactly like the person you don't want to work with.
A concept within 24 hours, unlimited revisions and payment at the end before receiving the final files.
Red flag already. That's ...
- 13.2k
35
votes
I'm a beginner: my client won't answer simple questions I've asked to aid design, what to do?
Asking for a "mood board" is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much to ask any client. That's perhaps a designer's tool and a client should never be asked to do that work. That's what they are paying you for (or ...
- 204k
34
votes
Why does my client want her company name confidential, when I post my work on design sites?
Another common issue is, that by posting their content on Behance in your name, their brand is on a platform they can't control. It may be difficult (even borderline Quixotic) in our age, but many ...
- 26.9k
30
votes
Accepted
What if client doesn't like any logo design concept?
If you don't like any, you'd have to pay more
This is exactly what you should say.
Now, prior to creating the logos, you should have a design briefing meeting with the client, so that the client ...
30
votes
Accepted
First client's partner demands free website redesign, wants deposit returned - moral dilemma
Okay, it depends on this:
If they saw proofs or any other mock up and signed off on the design
before it went to code, then I think you are in a good position. They
should pay for it, propose that ...
- 1,833
30
votes
Is it right to use the ideas of non-winning designers in a design contest?
Ethically and morally..... using any "contest" is merely taking advantage of designers.
Contest do nothing but take advantage of designers and give all the benefit to the person running the contest. ...
- 204k
29
votes
Accepted
Client not satisfied with the design. Doesn't want to pay
Looking at your question I can see some points that cause me immediate concern:
"...first payment after the first milestone (30%)."
For me at least that's an immediate problem. I too have staged ...
- 8,497
27
votes
Accepted
How can a designer explain their work to non-creative people?
I will start by saying I have negative social skills with a seasoning of Aspie on them. So, taking that into account, here I go.
Based on my Spock-like field work, I have learnt that my non-creative ...
- 8,148
26
votes
How to handle a request for handing over 6 years of working files?
Don't.
Unless specified in the original contracts of that 6-year body of work, you are not obliged to keep the original working files of past projects. That you do so is only for personal archiving. ...
- 25k
25
votes
I am a client and my work is being delegated without informing me
I am going to hate every word of this as I type it, but type it I must. Statement - I do not sub-contract my own work!
Subcontracting exists in all areas of business
I think it's more complicated ...
- 8,497
24
votes
Client not satisfied with the design. Doesn't want to pay
The client is taking advantage of you. Plain and simple.
If "payment is not an issue" as the client states, then the client would have no problem paying you what you are owed to the current point. ...
- 204k
24
votes
Customer Requests (Sometimes) Drive Me Bonkers!
I sympathise. I can only tell you what I do, and it's a useful phased approach that has worked for me over the many years I have employed the concept!
Step 1 - Explain that you are designing for the ...
- 8,497
23
votes
Not fond of time related pricing - what's a better way?
I have bad news. Even if your pricing model does not work on hours spent. It has to account for hours ( or any other timespan) spent, at least in aggregate.
What do I mean by this? Ultimately it is ...
- 56.7k
22
votes
Accepted
How do I treat requests for work for causes that go against my personal principles?
I made a promise to myself to never use my powers for evil.
I've created many pieces which sell, what I would see as, ethically borderline in terms of the product itself. Meaning... snake oil. A ...
- 204k
22
votes
Just how much information should you share with a former client?
I would let it go 100%.
Answer all their questions and put a deadline date after which you are no longer taking requests. I will gladly help with this information, but you need to take over ...
- 28.5k
21
votes
Do my potential customers need to understand the "meaning" of a logo, or just recognize it?
Your customers don't have to understand your name. Your customers don't have to understand your logo. Your customers do have to remember both. To make it easier to remember you'll typically make a ...
- 23k
20
votes
How can a designer explain their work to non-creative people?
For me, it's always the why.
I've run into many situations where a client is initially uneasy about my work. Not because they outright dislike it, but because they don't think it fits with "what ...
- 204k
19
votes
Accepted
How do you charge for extra non-design related services?
Quote a price, then itemize on any estimate/invoice.
If a client sends a broad statement like you've posted....
First ask questions even if you know the answers to them:
Will you be providing the ...
- 204k
19
votes
Should I be charging for the social media versions of designs?
Yes.
If you work on anything for a client it's billable.
It doesn't matter if it's an entirely new item or a reformatting of an old/existing item. They all take your time and it's your time you charge ...
- 204k
18
votes
$300 Logo Redesign as "Trial" Project for Possible Full-time Position
it was meant to see how we work together
"I understand what you're trying to accomplish, but I hope you understand that part of making sure we work well together is respecting and valuing each other ...
- 501
17
votes
Why does my client want her company name confidential, when I post my work on design sites?
It's not normal, but not uncommon.
There can be many reasons for it. Often it is simply a strong-armed legal department that insists on NDA-type relations with all vendors.
I typically leave a line ...
- 50k
17
votes
Selling a logo to a business who did not ask for one
I disagree with most of the answers here.
Don't sell the logo.
It just sets you up for a lot of speculative work in the worst of ways. If they do accept it, any customers they refer will expect you ...
- 1,100
17
votes
How long are designers expected to keep client files?
I've been both the one with the backups and the one that needed a backup. In general, unless it is hard for you to keep their files (for example terabytes of video or contracts prohibit it), you ...
- 271
17
votes
I'm a beginner: my client won't answer simple questions I've asked to aid design, what to do?
Your client doesn't know what they want, and they don't know what any of the things you ask mean.
You know the industry that the client works in, you know the name.
Throw together a few different ...
- 271
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