What clients/projects wont you take on?

[cgmpowers]

I was wondering what kind of clients/projects will you all NOT take on?

For example: I had a prospective employer ask if I had problems with casinos and gambling (they did A LOT of that kind of work). I didn't have a problem despite that, I didn't get the job. I another time, I once had a freelance client who had an employee approach me to work on his 'porn website'. I declined for a couple of reasons, one being I didn't want to 'do porn work' and another because I didn't trust him (instinct, and that he went behind his boss, my client, and I questioned the ethic of that).

So.. What clients/projects will you all NOT work on??

Christopher Powers

[Ahriman]

As far as projects go, I would turn down projects for certain political parties (at least from down here) and perhaps for companies that profit from the suffering of the wildlife (seal hunting comes to mind)

Employers? I guess it would be pretty much the same case...

So far, I have not come across those kind of situations...

[morea]

So far, I have not come across those kind of situations...

fortunately, I haven't come across those situations either... yet.

Though I am sure I would balk at the porn thing, or anything involving animal cruelty or hate-type stuff.

[frankster]

A few years back in an old company I worked at I was required to make some changes to a website about "conservation and shooting" that I felt awkward about. One of the reasons I wanted to push for my chance to go freelance.

They used to have a flash animation montage banner at the top of the home page back then and one of my collegues mocked up some disturbing ones with seal cubs all bloody on the ice and a dead fox with an autumn leaf blowing gently past. I think he had some issues with them as clients also!

Not had a problem with anyone since that really. well, not an ethical problem anyway ;)

[budafist]

I would steer away from anything I deemed rascist.

My boyfriend contacted once to do illustrations for a porn website. He didn't do it in the end. Not because of me, there where a number of reasons really...

[urstwile]

Political parties of certain stripes (read conservative or racist). Hate groups of any kind. Cigarettes (even though I'm a smoker, don't want anyone else being convinced to start). Fundamentalist religious groups (of any religion), whether they're fundamentalist to be determined by me. Porn. Anyone who wanted me to make them a flaming logo or insisted on inappropriate usage of the font that shall not be named.

[budafist]

Cigarettes (even though I'm a smoker, don't want anyone else being convinced to start)

Good point. I'm glad tobacco advertising is illegal in NZ.

Anyone who wanted me to make them a flaming logo or insisted on inappropriate usage of the font that shall not be named.

Unfortunately, too often I just have to go with what the client wants. Even if it is hidieous! You are a designer with good morals there urst!

[greyghost]

Well, if I feel conflicted about the subject matter, I'm just not so interested in the project and suggest they try someone else - I'll just say I am too busy and say I have a 9-month waiting list right now.

Others: I do not work for cheap people, at least I try not to. I am tired of the cheating and money-grubbing and pains in the ass... I don't have time for it.

If they do not respect my time... I probably will not take the job either.

[Kool]

I specialize in Flaming Logos.

[Kool]

Prettymuch anything goes for me except I won't touch hate or racist stuff.

[Red Kittie Kat]

Prettymuch anything goes for me except I won't touch hate or racist stuff.


Me too .... other than that pretty much anything goes.


Kewl Flames Kool :D I want one man!!



;)

[morea]

I'll send you all my porn work, Kool. ;)

At a print shop I used to work for, we printed a menu for a brothel in Las Vegas and a sex toy catalog.

[Kool]

Kewl Flames Kool :D I want one man!!



;)

Here ya go Red, http://www.flamingtext.co.uk/ But don't tell anybody, I wouldn't want it to cut into my flaming logo business. :)

[Red Kittie Kat]

ooooooooooooh ......... ahhhhhhhhhhhhh soooooooo pretty :D

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/RedKittieKat/smilies/coollogo_com_296825036.gif





now I better get out of here before people start taking me seriously http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v54/RedKittieKat/smilies/stepout.gif



:D

[morea]

Here ya go Red, http://www.flamingtext.co.uk/ But don't tell anybody, I wouldn't want it to cut into my flaming logo business. :)

is the British version better than the .com? ;)

http://flamingtext.com/

[morea]

oooh yeah.

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/5449/moreatw9.gif

[jlknauff]

I was wondering what kind of clients/projects will you all NOT take on?We won't take on anything for those silly liberals :D

Seriously, the work we won't take on is probably pretty limited. We won't touch any thing that promotes any sort of hate. Also, while I'm not against porn, we won't take that on either for one simple reason - I may not have a problem with it and other managers may not have a problem with it, but the new guy or girl may not be comfortable voicing their issue with certain subjects and may end up working on something that really bothers them. Personally, there's plenty of other work to go around and I'd rather have happy employees than a few extra jobs each year.

[EC]

http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/3886/coollogocom296826572ty8.gif

[Red Kittie Kat]

lmaooooooooo EC!!!! :D

[urstwile]

Unfortunately, too often I just have to go with what the client wants. Even if it is hidieous! You are a designer with good morals there urst!
Actually, I might do a flaming logo or force myself to use the font that shall not be named, if I were really desperate. :D

All the other stuff I stick to my guns on, however.

[urstwile]

I specialize in Flaming Logos.
Maybe I'll just farm those projects over to you, Kool. :D

edit: I think I might need to rethink my position on flaming logos:
http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/1320/coollogocom53803155lt6.gif

[urstwile]

Also, while I'm not against porn, we won't take that on either for one simple reason - I may not have a problem with it and other managers may not have a problem with it, but the new guy or girl may not be comfortable voicing their issue with certain subjects and may end up working on something that really bothers them. Personally, there's plenty of other work to go around and I'd rather have happy employees than a few extra jobs each year.

That's a great way to look at it, jlknauff, seriously. >>>silly liberal. :D

[capezio]

This isn't me, however, it was a college lecturer.

His reason for lecturing

He was a brilliant illustrator, technical. The company he worked for wanted him to do the illustrations for a land mine the type that blows legs and balls off. He refused on ethical and consciencous objection grounds. No negotioation, He walked.

et voila a new educational lecturer.

[cgmpowers]

This came about because I have a certain employer prospect that I'm wondering about.

The company I'm apply for isn't anything as exciting as what you all talked about but I can't help think of them as a 'fad' in the medical industry. Its a weight loss place and while its not as 'exciting' or 'controversal' as porn (heh) being a big guy that I am..wonder how many people I'll tell I design work for a 'weight loss medical company'..

I can't help but thinking in 5 years or less this company wont be here. While its my first job, I don't ever plan on BEING there 5 years..still..

Anyway, I have the 2nd interview today (after a telephone interview on Friday) and well am wondering how much of a "fad" this place really is.

[Jeff Fisher LogoMotives]

I won't take on projects for conservative political causes/campaigns, sex-industry related businesses (well, except for the logo I did for the company doing at-home sex toy parties for women because I liked the woman and thought the project would be fun), fundamentalist religious groups, any other cause/business that just doesn't mesh with my personal beliefs, or people that I just don't like for some reason.

A long time ago I learned to trust my "gut instincts" with potential clients. If something doesn't feel "right" about the situation I will turn down the job - besides, I enjoy seeing the look on their face when I say "I'm sorry I don't think I will be working with you on this project."

When it comes to the numerous requests I get for pro bono work for non-profits I can easily turn down most of the requests by limiting such efforts to organizations in which I have a personal interest or passion.

- J.

[Jackimalyn]

Clients who say "I'll know it when I see it" or, I just want something cool...

[greyghost]

That gut feeling Jeff Fisher just mentioned is very, very important.

[cgmpowers]

I guess my only 'gutt feeling' that I have is, will this company be here in 5 years? I think so, I think it will be.. I just am a little nervous being hired by a startup company, even if they've been here a year..its still a new company.

But I liked the creative director/art director (not sure what his title is, nor was he really)... It would be him and me only, for now..

Chris

[typesoup]

I think I have pretty clear limits, with gray areas underneath.

I won't touch anything to do with:

intolerance
bigotry
hatred
racism
sexism
violation of human, animal, or environmental rights or sensibilities
anybody I don't feel comfortable with for whatever reason

The gray area is usually under sexuality. There are several reasons I won't do mainstream porn, not the least of which most everything associated with it is completely lacking in imagination, depth, style, and aesthetics.

Erotica is well within my "accept" area.

I have designed for alternative lifestyle groups and people, and I actually enjoy doing those, as the people I work with tend to be more open-minded, creative, and aesthetically aware. And it's just more fun.

I had someone ask about buying exclusive rights to a really simple female form abstract line drawing. I took one look at his really tacky, very mainstream porn site and declined without hesitation. Plus I couldn't understand why he'd want it in the first place. There was no in-your-face graphic display, no flashing bright colors, no sound byte with plasticized moaning... okay now I'm just being snobberly (made up word).

And just to outdo my own snobberliness (made up derivative of made up word), I don't like working with sheeple!

[budafist]

I've just finished working on a sexy calendar. Not baring all, but still naked...

I'm a girl, the calendar is of girls and I've got a factory full of male printers oogling over this job...

[Silence04]

i won't take any political, religious, or foundation jobs

[budafist]

What's wrong with political stuff - if you are on their side?

[CamarotaDesign]

well, ideally, I dont want to work for any company that in any way contributes to the distruction of our planet, environmentally, ethically, morally. socially, politcally.

That would really limit my chances, since I feel a lot of the companies/corportations in the world today contribute to the degeneration of society all in the name of a buck. But of course I need to eat.

so right now I might do a mailer piece for a company that sells AC equipment that isnt the most environment friendly, but I will in no way do a piece that supports a certain political party I am against, hate groups, MTV, oil companies, halliburton,.... you get the picture.

Unfortunately we can't all work for profitable design firms that work for just causes, but until then we can limit the damage we contribute to the planet.

I think many big designers today need to be aware of the fact that what they do has the strongest impact on the direction our world is headed, and they need to get their heads out of their asses, stop thinking that what they do is just art, and start realizing that they are shaping minds and futures.

[Samakimoto Graphics]

I would be uncomfortable with porn too.

Anything racist and hateful I would steer clear of as well.

So far things have been safe for me.

[Samakimoto Graphics]

I'm not left or right politically inclined, so ploitical stuff has been in my in tray a couple of times.

[Silence04]

I would like to do porn if i had the chance... wait! i mean, design for porn, design for porn!!

[activeseven]

Jobs I will take:
- Ones that pay


Jobs I won't take:
- Ones that don't pay




pretty simple really.