Designing is not just about creating visually appealing and functional assets. It also involves managing relationships with clients. Effective management for design clients is crucial for professional success. This ensures smooth collaborations, timely payments, and mutual advantage. Furthermore, maintaining a good rapport could mean a returning client. In this blog post, we’ll explore the top tips for creatives to effectively manage design clients.
Make Sure the Client Has a History of Paying on Time
One of the key aspects of effective client management is ensuring that your hard work is duly compensated. Before entering into a contract or agreement, research the client’s payment history. Platforms like freelance websites often provide reviews and ratings, offering insights into a client’s payment behaviour. Working with clients who have a track record of paying on time reduces the risk of payment delays and contributes to a positive working relationship.
Ensure the Client Follows Rules for Best Practices
Establishing clear guidelines and best practices from the beginning sets the tone for a successful collaboration. Outline your expectations regarding communication channels, feedback processes, and project timelines. Clearly define your workflow and educate clients on the importance of adhering to these practices. This would mean a transparent and efficient working relationship. Also, this can reduce the likelihood of future misunderstandings.
Enlist the Deliverables and Number of Edits Clearly
Ambiguity in project scope and revisions can lead to misunderstandings and potential conflicts. Clearly outline the deliverables, specifying the format, size, and any other relevant details. Additionally, establish the number of included revisions or edits in your contract. This will enable both parties to have a clear understanding of the project parameters.
Measure Your Working Hours
For designers working on an hourly basis, accurate time tracking is paramount. Utilise time-tracking tools like “Toogl” to monitor the hours dedicated to each project. This not only ensures fair compensation for your efforts but also provides valuable data for optimising your workflow. Clear documentation of working hours fosters transparency and builds trust with clients.
Ensure That You Own the Intellectual Property Rights
Intellectual property rights are a crucial aspect of any design project. Clearly define the ownership of the final designs in your contract. While clients typically retain usage rights, securing your intellectual property rights ensures that you can showcase the work in your portfolio and unequivocally claim that you are the creator. This clarity safeguards both parties’ interests.
Follow Ethical Licensing
Understanding licensing agreements is vital for designers, especially in industries where licensing plays a significant role. Clearly define the terms of use for your designs, specifying whether the client has exclusive or non-exclusive rights. Ethical licensing practices protect your work and prevent potential legal issues down the line.
Read the full post about copyright and creative licensingHERE
Allowance for Social Media and Portfolio Announcements
Celebrating successful collaborations benefits both designers and clients. Include clauses in your contract that allow you to share the project on your portfolio and social media channels. This not only serves as a testament to your skills but also provides valuable exposure for your client. Ensure that the client is comfortable with this arrangement before proceeding.
Effective client management for design clients is a cornerstone of a successful creative career. By implementing these tips for designers to effectively manage clients, you can navigate client relationships with confidence. Also, you can facilitate fair compensation, transparent communication, and positive collaborations. Building strong client relationships not only enhances the designer’s professional reputation but also contributes to a thriving and sustainable creative career.
In today’s competitive business landscape, design plays a vital role in attracting and retaining customers, enhancing brand identity, and communicating your company’s message. However, for small and medium enterprises with limited budgets, investing in design can be a daunting challenge. The good news is that it’s possible to manage design needs on a small business budget. In this article, we will explore strategies and practical tips to help small businesses spend their money on the right design resources.
The Importance of Design for Small Businesses
Before we dive into cost-effective strategies, let’s understand why design is essential for small businesses.
Professional Image:
Effective design can elevate your brand’s image, making your business appear professional, trustworthy, and established.
Brand Identity:
Design elements, such as logos, colour schemes, and typography, help create a consistent and recognisable brand identity.
User Experience:
Good design enhances the user experience on your website, app, or physical space, making it easier for customers to engage with your business.
Competitive Advantage:
In a crowded marketplace, well-designed marketing materials and products can help your business stand out from the competition.
Cost-Effective Design Strategies for Small Businesses
The priority of design needs on a small business budget is obviously to cut costs and yet, get the most out of design collateral.
Identify Business Priorities
Begin by identifying your most critical design needs. Whether it’s a professional logo, a user-friendly website, or effective marketing collateral, focusing on a few essential design elements can help you allocate your budget wisely.
DIY Design Tools
Consider using do-it-yourself (DIY) design tools. There are many affordable or even free graphic design software and online platforms that allow you to create logos, social media graphics, and marketing materials without hiring a professional designer.
Outsource Freelance Designers
Freelancers often offer a cost-effective alternative to hiring a full-time designer. You can find skilled freelance designers for specific projects, whether it’s creating a website, designing marketing materials, or developing a logo.
Affordable Design Templates
Templates are pre-designed layouts and graphics that can save you time and money. Many platforms and software offer templates for different design needs, such as social media posts, business cards, and brochures. Customise these templates to fit your brand.
Open Source and Free Design Resources
Explore open-source design resources and free design assets. There are open-source graphic design programs like GIMP and a plethora of free fonts, icons, and images available online that you can use in your design projects. Just make sure the license allows you to use it for commercial purposes. You may have to credit the designer or simply buy the design asset.
In-House Design Training
Consider investing in training for your team. If you have employees with an interest in design, providing them with training in graphic design software can be a cost-effective way to handle design needs internally.
Collaborate with Design Schools
Reach out to local design schools or universities to see if they have programs for students or interns looking to gain real-world experience. This can be a win-win situation: you get affordable design work, and students gain internship credits.
Use Online Printing Services
If you require printed materials, such as business cards, flyers, or banners, consider using online printing services. They often offer cost-effective design templates and printing options, saving you time and money.
Implement User-Friendly Design
When working on design projects, prioritise user-centred design principles. This approach focuses on creating designs that align with user needs, making your design efforts more effective and efficient.
Design for Sustainability
Design with sustainability in mind. Consider creating designs that are versatile and timeless, reducing the need for frequent design updates or rebranding efforts. Design longevity must be a focus.
Maximizing Your Budget for Design:
In addition to cost-effective strategies, here are some tips for maximising your design budget:
Design Budget Planning
Create a design budget that outlines your design needs and expenses. Be realistic about what you can afford and prioritise accordingly. Planning ahead will help you make the most of your budget.
Build Strong Design Briefs
When working with designers, provide a detailed design brief that clearly communicates your vision and expectations. This helps designers understand your goals and minimises revisions, saving time and money.
Consider Long-Term Design Value
Rather than solely focusing on the upfront cost, evaluate design solutions in terms of quality. Investing in quality design can save you money in the long run by creating a stronger brand and better user experience.
Negotiate with Freelancers
When hiring freelancers, don’t hesitate to negotiate fees and project terms. Many freelancers are open to negotiation, especially if it leads to a long-term working relationship.
Use Analytics and Feedback
Track the performance of your design efforts through analytics and user feedback. This data can help you identify areas for improvement and guide future design decisions.
Stay Current with Design Trends
Staying informed about design trends can help you make more informed design choices. By understanding what’s popular and effective in design, you can make cost-effective design decisions.
Managing design needs on a small business budget is entirely possible with the right strategies and a focus on cost-effective solutions. Design plays a pivotal role in the success of small businesses, and by making savvy decisions. By utilising affordable resources, and prioritising your design efforts, you can enhance your brand, attract customers, and maintain a professional image without breaking the bank. Remember, design is an investment in the long-term success of your business, and by making smart choices, you can achieve a strong return on that investment.
Bollywood, the heart of Indian cinema, is renowned for its extravagant song and dance sequences. These Bollywood songs are not just musical interludes but are carefully crafted artistic expressions that involve a fusion of various visual and performing arts. In this extensive article, we will delve into the captivating world of Bollywood songs, breaking down their components and exploring how they seamlessly combine dance, music, acting, and storytelling to create a rich and immersive experience.
The Bollywood Extravaganza
Bollywood, based in Mumbai, is the largest film industry in India and one of the most prolific in the world. Bollywood films are renowned for their elaborate song and dance numbers. These sequences are integral to the storytelling process and often are pivotal moments within the movie.
Elements of a Bollywood Song:
Music: The Heartbeat of Bollywood
At the core of any Bollywood song is, of course, the music. Music is a central element that sets the tone and emotion of the scene. It’s the heartbeat of the film, and every other element complements it.
Raga and Melody
Bollywood songs often draw from traditional Indian music, incorporating various ragas (melodic structures) to evoke specific emotions. The choice of raga influences the mood of the song, whether it’s a joyful celebration or a heart-wrenching lament.
Lyrical Expression
The lyrics of a Bollywood song are carefully composed to convey the story’s narrative or express emotions. They serve as a bridge between the characters and the audience, making the story relatable and engaging.
Fusion of Musical Styles
Bollywood music is known for its fusion of different musical styles, blending classical Indian music with contemporary genres like pop, hip-hop, and rock. This fusion creates a unique and dynamic sound.
Dance: The Rhythmic Expression
Bollywood songs are incomplete without their vibrant and energetic dance sequences. Dance is a powerful form of expression that adds an extra layer to the storytelling.
Choreography
The choreography in Bollywood songs is often elaborate and meticulously planned. Choreographers design the dance moves to match the rhythm and emotions of the song, creating visually captivating moments.
Dance Styles
Bollywood incorporates a wide range of dance styles, from traditional Indian classical dances like Kathak and Bharatanatyam to more contemporary forms like hip-hop and contemporary dance. This diversity adds range and flavour to the choreography.
Expression Through Movement
Dance is a non-verbal form of storytelling in Bollywood. Dancers use body language, facial expressions, and gestures to convey emotions, making it an essential element in character development and plot progression.
Visual Arts: Painting the Screen
Still from “Dola Re Dola”
Bollywood is often celebrated for its visual extravagance. The use of visual arts in Bollywood songs transforms them into breathtaking spectacles.
Set Design
Set designers create elaborate and visually stunning backdrops that transport the audience to different worlds. These sets can range from grand palaces to picturesque landscapes, enhancing the song’s aesthetics.
Costume Design
Costume designers play a crucial role in Bollywood songs. They meticulously select attire that not only suits the characters but also complements the overall visual theme. Costume changes within a song can also indicate character development.
Cinematography
Cinematographers capture the magic on camera, utilising lighting, angles, and camera movements to enhance the visual appeal of the song. Their work and camera perspectives make the scenes more immersive for the viewers.
Acting: Bringing Characters to Life
Acting in Bollywood songs is not limited to delivering lines. It involves embodying the emotions, expressions, and energy that the song demands.
Emotion Portrayal
Actors must convey the emotions of the song through their expressions, gestures, and body language. This emotional depth connects the audience to the characters and the narrative.
Lip-Syncing
In Bollywood, actors lip-sync to playback singers. This is an art in itself, as actors must sync their lip movements perfectly with the song’s lyrics, making it appear as though they are singing.
Character Transformations
In many Bollywood songs, characters undergo transformations. They may shift from sorrow to joy, shyness to confidence, or solitude to celebration, all within the span of a single song.
Song Placement
The strategic placement of songs within a film is essential for storytelling. Songs are often used to introduce characters, highlight conflicts, or mark significant turning points in the plot.
Flashbacks and Dreams
Bollywood songs are also a platform for flashbacks and dream sequences. These elements help reveal the characters’ pasts, desires, and innermost thoughts.
Social Messages
Bollywood songs can carry social messages or reflect on societal issues. They serve as a medium to address topics like love, unity, cultural diversity, and more.
Case Study of a Bollywood Song
“Chaiyya Chaiyya” from “Dil Se”
Let’s delve into a classic Bollywood song to see how these elements come together. “Chaiyya Chaiyya” from the film “Dil Se” is a prime example of a Bollywood song that combines music, dance, visual arts, acting, and storytelling to create a mesmerising experience.
Music: The Rhythmic Beat
“Chaiyya Chaiyya” is set to a lively and rhythmic beat that instantly captures the listener’s attention. The use of the dholak (a traditional Indian drum) and other percussive instruments adds an authentic Indian touch to the music. Since the song is set on a train, the beats are similar to the rhythmic sounds of a steam engine train.
Dance: The Spirited Train Sequence
The dance sequence takes place on a moving train, making it a visually dynamic and daring performance. The choreography, blending classical Kathak moves with contemporary dance, showcases the agility and skill of the dancers.
Visual Arts: The Picturesque Setting
As the train moves it travels through breathtaking hills and landscapes. The combination of the train’s movement and the picturesque backdrop creates a mesmerising visual spectacle.
Acting: Shah Rukh Khan’s Energy
Shah Rukh Khan’s charismatic performance exudes energy and enthusiasm. His expressions, gestures, and interactions with the other characters convey the joy and celebration of the song.
Storytelling: Love and Celebration
“Chaiyya Chaiyya” is a celebration of love, and it plays a significant role in the film’s narrative. The song symbolises the romance between the two lead characters and marks a pivotal moment in their relationship.
The Evolution of Bollywood Songs
Bollywood songs have evolved over the decades, adapting to changing societal norms, cinematic techniques, and musical trends. While the core elements of music, dance, visual arts, acting, and storytelling remain constant, their expressions and styles have evolved to cater to modern audiences.
Contemporary Themes
Modern Bollywood songs often reflect contemporary themes and issues. They tackle subjects like gender equality, social justice, and cultural diversity, using music and dance to convey these messages.
Fusion of Global Styles
Bollywood music has embraced global influences, incorporating elements from Western pop, hip-hop, and EDM. This fusion appeals to a broader international audience.
Technology Advancements
Advancements in technology have revolutionised the visual aspects of Bollywood songs. High-definition cameras, special effects, and computer-generated imagery (CGI) have added a new dimension to the visual arts.
Experimental Storytelling
Bollywood has also seen a surge in experimental storytelling, where songs are used in innovative ways to subvert traditional narratives and engage the audience in fresh and unexpected ways.
The Impact of Bollywood Songs
Bollywood songs have a profound impact on Indian culture and are appreciated by a global audience. They have the power to evoke emotions, inspire dance routines, and create lasting memories.
Cultural Influence
Bollywood songs often feature traditional Indian elements, such as classical dance forms, folk music, and regional languages. They contribute to the preservation and promotion of India’s rich cultural heritage.
Dance and Fitness
Bollywood songs have popularised Indian dance forms like Bollywood dance, Bhangra, and Kathak. They are often used in dance and fitness classes worldwide, making Indian dance more accessible and enjoyable.
Celebrations and Festivals
Bollywood songs are an integral part of celebrations and festivals in India. Whether it’s a wedding, Diwali, or Holi, Bollywood songs provide the soundtrack for joyous occasions.
Global Appeal
Bollywood songs have garnered a global following, transcending language barriers. Iconic tracks like “Jai Ho” from “Slumdog Millionaire” have won international acclaim and become anthems of unity and celebration.
Bollywood Songs: A Tapestry of Artistic Expression
Bollywood songs are a tapestry of artistic expression that seamlessly weaves together creative writing, cinematography, set design, fashion and costume design, performance art, choreography and creative direction. They are more than just entertaining musical interludes; they are a reflection of Indian culture, a medium for social commentary, and a source of inspiration and joy for millions. Just like filmmaking, even Bollywood songs are a truly collaborative art form. They are a testament to the power of art to transcend boundaries and create a universal language of emotions and celebration.
YouTube channels to learn art and design can be the stepping stone to a successful creative career. These days, learning is not limited to a four-walled classroom. Thankfully, if you have a computer or smartphone and the right resources, learning art and design can be easy and free. In this post, we will explore 9 art and design YouTube channels that are full of good advice, tutorials and offer just as much learning as an expensive design degree.
Martin Perhiniak runs this YouTube channel that is full of lessons on design theory and creative thinking along with technical instructions on how to execute your vision in Adobe software. “Yes I’m A Designer” is a reliable YouTube channel for learning Adobe software as Perhiniak is a certified Adobe instructor.
This YouTube channel is a good place to learn 3D designing in CAD software. If you are a 3D Designer, product designer, or just interested in User Experience, then this is a good design YouTube channel to subscribe to. The 3D learning tutorials on this channel are detailed and offer comprehensive explanations of how to design 3D objects.
As the name would suggest, this YouTube channel has dedicated episodes from masters in the field. Not every video is about a creative profession but even if it isn’t your field, there are still good lessons in management. They cover topics like creative writing, fashion design, the culinary arts, Videography and more. MasterClass has even had famous guests like Melinda Gates, Richard Branson and Marques Brownlee.
A channel run by James Hughes explores queries and experiences that illustrators are likely to have. If you are an illustrator building your portfolio, working for a company, looking for an agent, or thinking about going completely freelance, then this is the channel for you. Hughes gives you sound advice based on experience and industry standards.
The famous online learning site has its own YouTube channel and it is genuinely quite resourceful! Teachers have videos that serve as a sample for the course they are running on Skillshare. Watch the video about a creative skill that you are interested in learning and maybe even complete the entire course on the Skillshare platform.
Gareth David Studio is a Graphic Design channel on YouTube. He specialises in designing logos, branding design, creative learning with Adobe software and more. With the content on this channel, you may not even have to spend money on an expensive degree in design. Simply design as you watch and create a good portfolio from what you have learnt.
Will Paterson also covers Graphic editing with tutorials on logo design, graphic editing and visual design with Adobe software. With the necessary software and a computer, you can follow these tutorials to pick up and improve fundamental design skills.
Premier Basics is a video editing content creator who makes YouTube tutorials for beginners who are learning Premier Pro. He covers everything from video editing techniques to colour correction like Wes Anderson films.
Primal Video by Justin Brown covers information and tutorials about every possible video editor, software, video broadcasting techniques and platforms that exist today. Needless to say, this channel is an extremely important subscription for an aspiring filmmaker or video editor.
These are the top YouTube channels to learn art and design, if you have any more suggestions, please tell us in the comments below!
From car wipers to Radium, women designers, scientists and entrepreneurs have made their mark. Despite facing situations that did not make it easy to thrive, women pioneers in design and tech have broken the glass ceiling and inspired many young girls to follow their dreams. Let us take a look at 5 such women whose work created a benchmark in their fields.
Coco Chanel – Fashion Design – Chanel
Coco Chanel
This French Entrepreneur founded Chanel in 1910. Her fashion brand made the French Modernist style popular and it had a massive influence even on how we dress up today. The company was still young when it had to overcome the economic upheaval of World War 1 and 2.
Chanel handled raw material scarcity problems during the First World War and a bad economy during the Great Depression. Yet, she set up a successful shop in Paris. Chanel limited sales in France to only perfume and jewellery until the end of the war. Despite issues in management and legalities, Chanel saw a resurgence in the 1960s. Her perfume, Chanel no. 5 is still among the best-selling perfumes. Today, Chanel is still a top couture brand and has business operations around the world.
Ramkripa Ananthan – Automobile Design – Mahindra Auto, India
Ramkripa Ananthan
This Indian Automobile Designer is the head of Design at Mahindra and Mahindra. Ananthan has designed SUV models like the Mahindra XUV500 and XUV700. These cars sell pretty well in countries like India, South Africa and Australia as affordable and highly efficient SUVs.
She graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering from India and joined the Mahindra company in 1997 as an Interior Designer. As of today, she has led the design team on many cars like the Scorpio and Thar by Mahindra, a company that manufactures some of India’s best off-roaders and SUVs.
Anne Atkins – Graphic Arts and Visual Design in Films – Wes Anderson Films
Anne Atkins
Everybody who’s anybody may have at some point seen the work of Welsh graphic designer and prop maker Anne Atkins. She designs things like shop signs in films, newspapers that the actors read, fake prison maps and so much more.
Atkins became extremely popular in the field after her work in “The Grand Budapest Hotel” by Wes Anderson was appreciated by designers all over the world.
If you join a design school, it is very likely that the students might have to watch at least one documentary that features Anne Atkins talking about graphic design in films. You know you’ve made an impact in your field when you are part of the classroom syllabus.
Dame Zaha Hadid – Architect – Heydar Aliyev Center, Baku
Dame Zaha Hadid
If you imagine Utopia, the buildings and bridges tend to have flowy shapes, clear blue glass and an undeniably futuristic look. Dame Zaha Hadid, an Iraqi-British architect designed architectural structures that look absolutely utopian. Even bridges and aquariums by Hadid look like monuments.
During her lifetime, she designed iconic structures like Heydar, Aliyev Centre, Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Nordpark Railway Stations and more. If it is true that an artist is remembered by the work they leave behind then Dame Hadid will never be forgotten.
Lenora Porter – Product Designer – Salesforce
Lenora Porter
Product Design, UX and Systems Design, Lenora Porter is a self-taught designer who has worked with companies like Salesforce, Skillshare and more. Today, she shares her work experience and inspires women of African descent who are interested in fields that integrate design and technology. Follow the career of this young designer if you are interested in Branding and User Experience to learn more about her work and the field.
If you have suggestions for part 2 of inspirational women pioneers in Design and Tech, then let us know in the comments below.
Gestalt Principles of Design essentially combine the merits of design and psychology to create visuals that are coherent to the viewers. These principles provide valuable insights into how our brains perceive and organise visual information, helping designers create cohesive and impactful designs. In this post, we’ll break down the Gestalt principles of design in simple terms with famous examples.
What are the Gestalt Principles of Design?
The Gestalt principles of design are a set of psychological theories that explain how humans perceive and organise visual elements into meaningful patterns. The word “Gestalt” itself translates to “shape” or “form” in German. Gestalt Principles focus on the perception of patterns and final outcomes.
Figure Ground
The Figure Ground principle explores how our minds distinguish between a main object (figure) and the background (ground) in a composition. In other words, the background image and foreground object complement each other. For example, the arrow embedded between the “E” and “x” in the FedEx logo
Proximity
Gestalt Principles of Design Know Thy Art
This principle states that objects placed close to each other are perceived as a group or related elements. If you place three circles together, they are perceived as a single unit rather than separate circles. For example, the proximity of elements forms the “U” shape in the Unilever logo.
Similarity
Similar elements are perceived as related or belonging together. If you use the same colour or shape for different objects, our brains group them together, creating a visual association. For example, the similarity of petals is cohesive to form the peacock shape in the NBC logo.
Continuity
Our brains tend to see continuous and smooth lines as a single object. In that sense, when elements of fixed characteristics like same colour or weight are used continuously, the brain automatically assumes the elements are continuous. For example, the continuity of lines form the letters in the IBM logo.
Closure
When presented with an incomplete shape, our minds tend to fill in the gaps to perceive a complete shape. This is why we can still recognise an incomplete circle as a circle. For example, the panda in the WWF logo is not completely drawn and yet your mind fills in the white areas of the bear.
Symmetry and Order
Symmetrical designs are perceived as more organised and harmonious. Our brains instinctively seek balance and order in visual compositions. For example, the symmetry and order of the rings in the Olympic logo.
Common Fate
Elements moving in the same direction are perceived as a group. This principle is often used in animations or designs involving movement to create a sense of correspondence. For example, the feeling of movement in the old Formula 1 logo. Here the “1” is formed in the negative space between the “F” and the movement lines in red.
Past Experience
Our previous experiences and cultural background influence how we perceive visual information. Designers can leverage this principle by incorporating familiar symbols or images to convey specific meanings. For example, advertisements of some companies like Mcdonald’s, Nike and Coca-Cola are so familiar to audiences that even minimal imagery is enough for the viewer to recognise the brand.
How to use Gestalt Principles in Design?
Understanding and applying Gestalt principles can significantly enhance your design work. By grasping how people naturally perceive visual information, you can create designs that are not only visually appealing but also effectively communicate your intended message.
Let’s explore some practical applications of these principles in design:
Composition
Using the principles of proximity and similarity, you can organise elements in your design to guide viewers’ eyes and create a sense of unity. Placing related elements close together or using consistent colours helps establish visual relationships.
Hierarchy
Applying the principle of order helps you create a clear hierarchy in your design. By arranging elements symmetrically or using common fate to group related items, you ensure that viewers easily understand the importance and flow of information.
Whitespace
Gestalt principles emphasise the importance of negative space. Proper use of whitespace enhances figure-ground perception, allowing your main elements to stand out and grab attention.
Logo Design
Creating memorable logos often involves applying closure. A cleverly designed logo can use incomplete shapes to encourage viewers to mentally complete the missing parts, making it more memorable.
User Experience (UX) Design
Gestalt principles play a crucial role in designing user interfaces. By considering common fate and continuity, UX designers can create intuitive navigation and interactions that guide users seamlessly through a digital experience.
Advertising
Advertisers often leverage the principle of Past Experience. By incorporating symbols or imagery that trigger familiar associations, they quickly convey messages or emotions without extensive text.
In essence, the Gestalt principles of design provide a foundation for creating visually compelling and impactful designs. We can understand how our brains perceive and organise visual elements. Whether you’re designing a logo, a website, infographic or an advertisement, incorporating these principles can elevate your design work to a new level of creativity and effectiveness.
As a freelance graphic designer or illustrator, one of the most challenging aspects of your job can be determining how much to charge for your work. You want to be fair to yourself and your clients, but you also want to ensure that you’re charging enough to make a living. In this freelance design pricing guide, we’ll cover some key factors to consider when pricing your freelance work as a graphic designer or illustrator.
How to set an hourly rate for a freelance design project?
The first step in pricing your freelance work is to determine your hourly rate. This will be the foundation for all of your pricing decisions. You should consider your experience level, skill set, and the local market to determine your hourly rate. When calculating your hourly rate, consider how much you need to earn to make a living. Take into account your living expenses, overhead costs, and taxes. Remember that as a freelancer, you’ll need to cover your expenses such as health insurance, equipment, and software.
Recommended Software:
To better track your working hours on a freelance project, software like Toggl can be quite useful.
Consider the project scope
Once you’ve determined your hourly rate, you need to consider the scope of the project. This includes the complexity of the project, the amount of time it will take to complete it, and the level of skill required. For example, a simple logo design may take less time and effort than a full branding project, which may require extensive research, multiple design concepts, and revisions. It’s important to consider the effort and deliverables for each project and adjust your pricing accordingly.
Research the market
It’s important to research the market to ensure that your pricing is competitive. Research the rates of other freelance designers and illustrators in your area or those who work in your niche. This will give you an idea of what clients are willing to pay and what the market can bear. You can also research industry standards and pricing guides to get a general idea of what you should be charging. Remember that these rates are often just guidelines and should not be considered the final word on pricing.
Consider your client’s budget
When pricing your freelance work, it’s important to consider your client’s budget. This can be a tricky balancing act because you want to be fair to yourself and charge a rate that is in line with your skills and experience, but you also want to be sensitive to your client’s budget. If your client has a small local business, consider offering a reduced rate or a payment plan. This can help you secure the project and build a relationship with the client for future work.
Account for revisions and additional work
When pricing your freelance work, it’s important to account for revisions and additional work. This includes revisions to the initial design, additional design concepts, and other changes that may arise during the project. Make sure to outline your revision policy in your contract so that you and your client are on the same page. You should also consider charging an additional fee for revisions beyond a certain number or for work outside the scope of the initial project.
Set clear expectations
When pricing your freelance work, it’s important to set clear expectations with your client. This includes the scope of the project, the timeline, and the payment schedule. Make sure to outline all these details in your contract and discuss them with your client before starting work. This will help prevent misunderstandings and ensure that both, you and your client are on the same page.
Pricing your freelance work as a graphic designer or illustrator can be challenging, but by following the tips in this freelance design pricing guide, you can ensure that you’re charging a fair rate that reflects your skills and experience. Remember to consider your hourly rate, the project scope, the market, your client’s budget, revisions and additional work, and set clear expectations. With a little research and preparation, you can confidently price your freelance work and build a successful career as a graphic designer or illustrator.
Movie promotion happens after the film has been made, edited in post-production and is about to be released. This is where Visual Designers and Graphic Artists in film promotion will create marketing material. Both, traditional methods of promotion and modern digital media are used to promote these films and television series. At this stage, almost every crew member can relax as their job is done… except the graphic designers! Most of the promotional material is made by Graphic Designers and Illustrators.
Part 3 – Film Promotion
Promotional Material
Promotional material includes teasers, trailers and posters. Out of these three, poster artwork is where the graphic designer shines. Posters are released in the following categories:
Teaser Posters – The design and characters in the poster are vague to avoid giving out too many details about the film and get the audience to anticipate the release of the film.
Main Posters – In this poster the main characters, genre and themes are highlighted. This is in true advertisement style where the aim is to get the audience to go watch the movie.
Character Posters – These posters will showcase each main character of the movie. The posters are meant to highlight the vibe of the character and may even have a few easter eggs about the character if needed.
Critics/ Awards Posters – After a month or so from release, the critics have watched the film and probably left some good reviews. After a year, the film has probably won awards. The new posters are designed with critics’ quotes and award names in laurel brackets.
OST Covers and OTT Banners
With Spotify, Amazon Music, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Apple TV and other platforms that stream music, movies and TV, Graphic Designers have more work to do. They now have to design posters for OTT thumbnails, album covers for soundtracks and even banner images you see when you select the film.
Social Media Marketing Design
Not just television spots in commercials and YouTube but, also promotional material on the film’s Instagram page or pages of the actors in the film. Instagram Posts are a whole new medium for Graphic Designers to show off their talent because millions of followers will see this poster in the palm of their hand and might even stare for a long time at a particularly artistic image. Instagram posters have replaced DVD covers.
How to become a Visual Designer and Graphic Artist in Films?
Most importantly, develop good technical skills with design software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Animate, Auto CAD and 3D design. This software will be the main tool that Graphic Designers who work in film will have to use on a daily basis.
Have a good understanding of designing based on themes, characters, moods and vibes of the script.
A good technical and artistic understanding of colour theory, fonts, Gestalt’s Design Principles and building themes and aesthetics.
Willingness to learn for the unique script or story setting of each film. For example, period films set in the past, fantasy films, futuristic films, etc.
Show professional dependability through internships, projects and past job experiences.
Learn Design Theory and Design Philosophy to develop your Design Thinking skills.
Build a strong portfolio with passion projects that showcase your work. Maybe even reimagine famous film scenes with mockups of your work to show that you could have possibly done it just as well as the pros.
Oh and watch lots and lots of films in your free time!
At this stage, Graphic Artists and Visual Designers work in film post-production along with the Art Department and Production Design teams. They are done filming the scenes using the props and sets that Graphic Artists and Visual Designers made in Photoshop, Auto CAD, or with metal and wood. Now it is time to make sure everything looks perfect on film. This is part of post-production. As an example, imagine that a chef has prepared the main course and desserts. Now, they have to tell the servers to serve the meat and gravy first and then the pudding. Because savoury followed by sweet is the proper way to enjoy the flavours of a meal. Let us see how Visual Designers and Graphic Artists in movies will work after filming.
Part 2 – Post-production
Matching Themes and Schemes
After a scene on a battlefield, there might be a scene to mourn the loss. If the battle scene is full of dark earthy colours and grunge textures then the mourning scene will also have to have a muted colour scheme. The little flag pins on jackets, the wreaths of Lilies, the colours of the ribbons, etc. are also adjusted. The Visual Artist will have to advise the production team not to over-saturate the colours or overexpose the highlights. This is not far from the work of a Graphic Designer whose job it is to make sure that highlights and shadows are done just right.
Finishing
Each of these scenes is crafted meticulously and placed in the proper sequence. Doing this makes the scenes sync with the shifting tone of the narrative. Once this is done, the film’s Production Design team, Art Department and Graphic Artists team ideally watch the movie together. At this stage, the entire film is already shot and mostly edited.
However, just in case the Visual Artists spot any discrepancies and it is too late to go rebuild a set or change the graphics in a prop, the Post-production Team of CGI and VFX artists are called in. This is where the colours and details of an object on set can be corrected. This is where innovative graphic design techniques are used in movies. The Graphic Artist and Visual Designer will immediately get to work to digitally alter these details and have the VFX team implement it in the film.
Overall Aesthetics
The main pillar of a movie is the story. This story has a genre, mood and vibe. The soundtrack and music have to be in line with the movie’s story. Similarly, art and design should also lend themselves to the mood. If a film is set in the Old West, then the aesthetic will have bright afternoon sunny scenes. Such a colour filter will visually communicate “scorching heat.” Creating effects with visual design in movies has always been an important part of filming. Graphic Artists and Visual Designers in film post-production will make sure the fonts on shop signs have an Old West vibe. Also, the bright yellowish-orange filters will help the audience feel the visuals. The Art Department will have to notice each detail. This will help them make sure the overall aesthetics bring out the mood of the narrative.
