It comes as no surprise that as graduation nears, we can all
find ourselves thinking about the next step. What will that step be? For each
person, the answer is different. However, as designers, we will all find
ourselves doing freelance work at some point in our careers. With this comes certain
obligations, not only to the clients, but to each of us as a creative
professional.
There are many things still left to learn past the moment
when our names are called and that piece of paper is in our hand signifying we’ve
finally done it. For that reason, many new designers move forward feeling
uncertain and a little timid, especially when it comes to asking for payment.
One of the most common mistakes a young designer makes is not requiring a
deposit when starting a new project for a client. Here are a few reasons why
taking that initiative is so important.
- The dreaded spec work. We are all well aware of what spec work is and the need to turn it away. Each Tyler GAID graduate has the talent and experience to be treated for what we are: professionals. That means being paid for the work being done. By asking for a deposit, it minimizes the chance of future financial loss. It also reduces the risk of precious time and ideas being wasted.
- Investment and interest. In general, when a person makes an investment in something, they remain invested and interested. Working closely with a client to achieve the best possible results can be incredibly rewarding. Invested money can act as motivation for a client’s involvement in the design process.
- Common practice. Asking for a deposit is common practice in the design industry. If a client is refusing to put down a deposit, regardless of the reason, it is acceptable to say that we are professionals and requiring a deposit is reasonable in this field to ensure we get paid for all of our work.
- The logistics. We all have a wide range of talents and experience within the design industry. However, there may be projects that require skills we do not possess, demanding outside help from illustrators, web developers, copywriters, etc. Having the deposit upfront can help cover the costs of this outside help. If there was no deposit or payment agreement, the client could disappear and the money spent on outside help would be out of pocket and thus, gone.
As
strange as it may seem, we are soon to be professionals in this field and with
that, comes the necessity to act as such. It is completely acceptable to be
assertive (yet respectful), despite how uncomfortable it may feel. Asking for a
deposit ensures the start of a healthy professional relationship that demands
mutual respect and fosters shared trust.
Kate -
ReplyDeleteExcellent writing work! This is a very critical topic, and you focus in on it well. I only have a couple suggestions:
- Simplify the first sentence of paragraph 2:
“There are many things still left to learn past the moment when our names are called and (our diplomas are placed in our hands).”
In the beginning of the last paragraph, the comma should be placed as such:
“As strange as it may seem, we are soon to be professionals in this field(,) and with that comes the necessity to act as such.”
I would perhaps expand a bit on #3 (not too much, just a sentence or two). You briefly touch on how insisting on contracts/deposits is important for the industry as a whole. Personally, I think this is one of the most important reasons to work with contracts: making this a common practice helps reclaim a lot of the respect graphic designers have lost because manipulative clients try to walk all over us. Every time we demand to be treated as professionals, we are helping our fellow designers and the industry as a whole. Great work!