ASSIGNMENT BACKGROUND / WHY WE’RE DOING THIS

Being a graphic designer is about more than just making communications look nice. We also need to be skilled at working with a wide variety of individuals in various capacities, from creator to translator to mediator to producer. As we search for jobs, it may be challenging to find one that fits our goals particularly well, as many jobs for which we are qualified at this early stage are not necessarily glamorous or creatively fulfilling. In order to advance, we must maintain our practice outside of the office, which often means picking up projects that we can complete as freelancers. Some designers even enjoy the process so much that they make freelancing their full-time job.

This project will introduce us to the tools and steps associated with starting out as a freelancer. We will be learning about various aspects of the process, including finding clients, writing contracts and finding our own limitations.

OBJECTIVES

We will be finding and completing a paid freelance project. By the time we’re done with this assignment, we will be able to do the following:

1. Express design ideas to current and potential clients.
2. Write a contract for design services.
3. Reflect on first client meeting.

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STEPS

1. Find a client
2. Meet with the client
3. Write a contract, signed by yourself and your client
4. Write a reflection on your first meeting with the client.

\\\\ FREELANCE RESEARCH

Working professionally as a designer is very different from working on projects in school. As such, our very first step will be conducting research on how to begin the freelance process as students.

1. Reading : Begin by reading Chapters 2 and 5 in A Graphic Design Student’s Guide to Freelance and this reading on Pricing, Proposals, and Contracts. Chapter 2 introduces the concept of freelancing and discusses some reasons why freelancing is important as both a design student and as a professional. Chapter 5 is where the project truly takes off — this chapter outlines the process of beginning a freelance career, and will walk you through the steps including determining the type of client with whom you might work, the work you might do and how to write a contract. These chapters (especially Chapter 05) will answer pretty much any questions you might have about the process, and will be vital to your successful completion of this assignment. Although there will be a few opportunities to answer questions in-class, the majority of this project will be completed on your own time.

\\\\ FINDING A CLIENT

After reading about the steps to freelancing, it will be your job to find a client and project to complete over the course of the semester. The individual details are up to you — based on your abilities and comfort level — but there will be some elements that are required of all students:

1. The project must be paid. You must receive money for the work you do. The amount is up to you and your client, and unfortunately there are no magic formulae to determine how much a project is worth. Your book will come in handy in determining your price.
2. The project must be invoiced, and paid with a check. At the completion of the project, you must give your client an invoice of services rendered, which they must sign, and they must pay you with a check or money order. With your final project, you will need to submit a scan / copy of both the signed invoice and check in order to receive credit.
3. The project must be complete before our final presentations (see schedule). There will be no opportunities to take an incomplete in order to finish the project after the end of the semester. All work, including the final invoice and payment, must be finished by the start of class on our final presentations day. There will be no exceptions to this rule, so gauge your progress and timeline well.
4. You must meet with your client at least 4 times. The term ‘meet’ has a variety of meanings in this context, and can include face-to-face meetings, phone conversations, email, Skype, Google chat, etc. However, you will need to meet with your client a minimum of 4 times over the semester, and document what the purpose of the meeting was, what you learned from it and what your next steps will be. Two of the four meetings are already determined for you: initial meeting to discuss the project and the final meeting to get final approval and complete the project.

\\\\ WRITING THE CONTRACT

The contract is the legal glue that holds the project together. It outlines what is expected of not only your client, but also of you — the designer. It is a misconception that contracts are needed ONLY for projects that involve big clients or large projects; it is also a misconception that contracts are only made to protect the designer. In fact, contracts are essential tools that protect the designer AND the client, and they can help define exactly what is being done, when it is being completed and how it will be delivered. Small and large clients / projects will benefit greatly from having a contract, and contracts can be easily tailored to be large or small, depending on the requirements.

1. Review the section ‘Writing a Contract’ in Chapter 05 and do some research of your own to determine what you need to include within your contract for your individual project.
2. The contract’s language is up to you. However, you will need to include the following sections in order to receive credit. The length and detail of each section is up to you.

• Determine the scope of the project — What is it that you are creating? This is where that information gets outlined.

• Create a timetable for the completion of the project — Determine how long each step will take and create a calendar of your project. Include scheduled meetings and the due-date for the project. Make sure to work with your client on creating a timetable that is workable for both you and your client.

• Create a system for payment (such as 50% up-front / invoice) — Remember, you must get paid for this project. Determine a payment system that will work best for your project and client. Make sure this is included in your timeline.
• Sketches and final artwork — How much sketching might you do and present? How will final artwork be submitted?
• Rights — Who owns the rights to the artwork when the project is complete? And, even more importantly, WHAT rights do they own?
• Terms of proposal and signatures — A copy of the signed contract (or a signed copy) is required at the start of class.

 

GRADING:

To get credit for this assignment, you will need to submit the following via Blackboard:

• Create a multi-page PDF of the full, signed contract. (scope, timetable, system of payment, sketching plans, final submission plans, rights, signatures, contact information for yourself and your client) — 11 points
• Submit a 1-page, double-spaced PDF reflection of your initial meeting(s) with your client. 5 points

///////// AUTOMATIC FAILURE

• The contract and/or reflection is received after the 5:00pm deadline
• There are elements missing from the contract (review requirements above)
• You have not found a client / project by the due date
• The contract is unsigned by you or your client