Client 02

We will complete 2 new freelance projects this semester. One will be due at about midterm and the second will be due at the end of the semester.

Similar to last semester, the client, scope of the project and contract terms will be up to you, but you will have to be paid at the end of the project. There will also be a presentation at the completion of each client project, outlining the project goals and final solutions.

Step 1: Select a Client

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:

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 formula to determine how much a project is worth. Your book will come in handy in determining your price.

The project must be invoiced, and paid with a check/money order (other payment options must be approved by the professor). 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.

The project must be complete before our presentations (see calendar). There will be no opportunities to take an incomplete in order to finish the project after the end of the semester. There will be no exceptions to this rule, so gauge your progress and timeline well.

Step 2: Write a Contract

Your contract can be based on the contract you developed last semester. However, now that you have experience working with a client, I strongly suggest that you review your contract and add / remove elements that you feel will help or are unnecessary.

You will present client, project, and signed contract in class.

GRADING:

5 points – PowerPoint presentation, submitted via Blackboard by 5pm on the day of the presentation.
5 points – Presentation (how well do you present)
5 points – Signed Contract (submit on Blackboard)

Step 3: Presentation

You will give a presentation about your freelance project. It needs to include the following:

Start your talk with a brief introduction. Imagine that you are presenting to people who may not know you personally; this could be your blurb / elevator speech we practiced for our interviews — the ‘Tell me a little about yourself’ question.

Next, introduce the overall scope of the project that you worked on this semester. This will be the section in which you describe who the client is, why you approached them (or why they approached you), what you were hired to do and why you were hired to do it (remember, if a client says they want a new logo, there must be a reason).

Talk about how you chose to approach the project. This is your opportunity to explain your process and should include information about what you researched (and why), examples of sketches or concepts you developed, what the client’s feedback was at this point and any other background information you might feel enhances our understanding of the project. In an interview, these elements would be your opportunity to show that not only are you able to create solid final solutions, but also come up with ideas and listen to feedback.

After you have told us about the initial ideas and research, introduce the final solution and briefly describe the overall concept. You should be able to explain how it fulfills the specific needs of the client and why this solution was the best. Remember, that it may not be your favorite solution, but if may be exactly what the client was looking for. That’s okay, and it’s okay to say that, but you still need to be able to explain your choices.

Then, describe 3 things you have learned about the project or process, and 3 challenges you have had, for which you are looking for feedback. These can be related to the work itself or about the process of working with clients as a freelancer.

Finally, outline what your goals might be for your next project. What will you do differently?
At this point we will open the floor for 5–10 minutes of discussion about your questions and any feedback your peers may have.

GRADING:

5 points – PowerPoint presentation, submitted via Blackboard by 5pm on the day of the presentation.
5 points – Presentation (how well do you present)
5 points – Quality of the finished design work
5 points – Proof of Payment (submit scan on Blackboard)

Step 4: Reflection

A 1-page reflection essay (double-spaced) describing 3 things you have learned about the project or process, and 3 challenges you have had, for which you are looking for feedback. These can be related to the work itself or about the process of working with clients as a freelancer. Finally, outline what your goals might be for your next project. What will you do differently?

GRADING:

5 points – This should be submitted as a PDF via Blackboard (see schedule for date).