Questions for you

[MrBenof03]

Hi everyone. I'm taking a business and copyright law class. Part of my final project is to research via talking with people in graphic design. So... I have a few questions for all of you. I've talked to other people but more input is always better!

If I was doing an interior illustration for Ima Writer with an audience of teenage boys and girls and an unlimited budget, what is:

A reasonable timeline to do 10 interior illustrations that are based on the text?

Correct pricing of the project (what about for inexperienced people?)

How are payments generally scheduled?

What's an appropriate approval process?

How do I handle taking longer than originaly agreed? (My fault vs clients)

Do you have any other input?

THANKS for any information you can give me!

[LeftBrain Artist]

Impossible to answer those questions without knowing what the illustrations are to be. Interior design illustrations? Interior as in inside a magazine? And one would have to closely review the "text" in question in order to formulate appropriate responses to your questions.

By the way, what the hell does any of this have to do with copyrighting? Sounds to me like your planning on hiring someone to do some illustrations and think you're getting ripped off after introductory discussions and early planning. Either that or you're trying to find out the threshold of pain so to speak so you can take advantage of someone to the maximum capacity. This does not sound like a legitimate class project at all.

[PrintDriver]

By the way, what the hell does any of this have to do with copyrighting?

Hmmm. That was my first thought. My second one was is this a do-it-yourself project and you're inexperienced?

Go get a GAG handbook. That will give you times and cost structure and CONTRACTS.

[MrBenof03]

If you would like, I will scan my assignment sheet. Better yet, I will give you a link to the class website. www.geocities.com/art_law_ais (http://www.geocities.com/art_law_ais) and click on final project.

I forgot to mention they are for a book "The Lucky Artist”. The audience for this book is teenage boys and girls. The budget is unlimited. The book is scheduled for a 2005 December release in the US. They will release it next in the European Market Spring of 2006.

[PrintDriver]

I did give you an answer.
Graphic Arts Guild Handbook has answers to all your questions. How to price, time, illustration contracting, contracts for clients...
Your question really did not have anything to do with Copyright Law. They are stated quite differently than your course syllabus Final Project.

Good Luck with that.
If you are a designer/production person, hang around a while. We actually are a rather random bunch. I'm jealous a school even offers a course in Copyright Law. Every one of them should.

[PersonasBinar]

wish I 'd taken one

[MrBenof03]

I honestly do not know why some people have to be so rude. Next time think about that. Not a good way to encourage a new member to stick around.

The assignment is to interview people AND refer to GAG. I know about GAG but I want real live people talking to me also. I've posted this on other forums and n one has had a problem with it, just this one so far.

Now, if you're willing to offer any input other than "refer to GAG" it would REALLY be appreciated. Thanks.

[PrintDriver]

As for answers to your questions:
A reasonable timeline to do 10 interior illustrations that are based on the text?
- negotiated at time of interview through sketches and material supplied by client, taking due date into account and working backwards of course.

Correct pricing of the project (what about for inexperienced people?)
- variable by area. Unless you have ALOT of time to handhold the inexperienced illustrator, don't go that route. Stick with artist stables or known entities.

How are payments generally scheduled?
- 1/3 on concept, 1/3 final draft, 1/3on delivery or 1/2 down 1/2 done.

What's an appropriate approval process?
- Agreed upon contracted number of comps based on sketches and reference material supplied by client followed by final draft rendering that may or may not be in material to be used for final.

How do I handle taking longer than originaly agreed? (My fault vs clients)
- ALWAYS use a contract. If you screw up you eat it. If the client doesn't deliver necessary materials or cancels due to hold up, make sure your time spent is compensated and covered by contract.

Do you have any other input?
- As with all hired talent get references.
- Hire illustrators based on style represented in their portfolio. They may not be able to do it any other way.

[LeftBrain Artist]

My Bad. Didn't mean to be rude - just looked kinda fishy at first glance. Suppose I owe ya some thoughts.

Print Driver has a good response. I'll add what I can.

Timeline - what Print Driver said - be aware this could be as long as 2 years in the case of hideously complex illustrations which are not clearly defined at the onset of the project - necessitating lenghty revision phases, or it could be as low as a half hour a piece for very simple illustrations, which could mean a timeline of a few days after revisions are accounted for.

Correct pricing - illustrators and anyone else in a service industry should be billing on an hourly basis - but they usually wind up billing on a project basis. Well known, sought after illustrators can command thousands of dollars per illustration and possibly royalties - but there are people out there of the same caliber that will be willing to do the same projects for 50 or 100 a piece in an effort to make a name for themselves. It really comes down to how much you are willing to pay and if that will be worth their time (in the eyes of the illustrator).

Payment scheduling - 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 is pretty common among art types - where you generally don't have a lot of long term business partners so have to cover your kiester. If you're an illustrator with an established clientelle, payment can be delivered upon completion - subject to late fees of course. And if the client decides to sit on a project for a year or so halfway through completion, expect the illustrator to send you a bill and expect to pay it, even though the project isn't technically done.

Appropriate approval process?
PD pretty much covered it. Client should sign off and date approved concepts and drafts too, if you want to get really picky.

Taking longer than anticipated? If its your fault, be prepared to pay more than you initially agreed - how much more depends on how much more work you make for the illustrator than initially anticipated. If its the illustrator's fault - and its due to miscalculation of time needed to complete the project, or an otherwise legitimate excuse - illustrator should eat the cost and quote accordingly on future projects. Live and learn. Illustrator shouldn't necessarily be penalized though, unless he's got a lame excuse, like spilling bong water on the sketches. Then I'd think about penalizing - any punishable offenses and penalties should be stated in the contract though.

Above all, use common sense. I believe part professional conduct is having a goal of forming stable, long term business relationships. This will benefit you in the long run. Both client and vendor should be willing to make short term concessions in the interest of continuing to do business together. As time passes and you do more projects together, the wrinkles should iron themselves out. If the person you're working with turns out to be entirely unreasonable - cut them off as quickly as possible and minimize your losses. If you're the one who is unreasonable - best of luck.