graphic design, freelancing, illustration, advertising, web design

I did free stuff once in awhile because I was being nice. It was mostly stuff for forums, but I somehow ended up spending my time making total forum layouts and themes for this one kid for free. It got to the point where I just stopped all contact with him. Didn’t like this, wanted it this way, oh I’ve completed changed my mind and would like a whole new theme. Some people seem to either not know, or just don’t appreciate the work.

Another thing… I was contacted by someone via my blog who wanted a small illustration done. Wanted it free but said “possible paid work in future” (I didn’t really believe it but whatever). I ended up doing the Illustration and added the person to MSN, once maybe about every 1/2 hour he asked if it was done or how it’s coming along. I sent him jpegs of where I was at, “Ok, it looks all right, but this and this and this could be changed,” is what I got. So I finished it up sent to him and never even got a thanks.

Nighmare, there’s no pleasing some people, even for free.

Somebody always wants something for nothing. As for the guy in Seans comment I know what he would have received from me….

Anyway, I was thinking of a new header for my blog and was wondering…..

Ha ha - worth a try!

you just read my mind, When I started it was interest, Now every other Human wants it for free, close friend says it takes just a day to design, and a startup so he cant pay, ex-girlfriend says a design for her project, her friend demands other.

As few are close, i end up designing something or other nice which satisfies me, but they end up like its a little here, a little there would just take 5 minutes, few end up saying how long does it take to design just matter of 10 minutes.. espicially one of my friend stopped talking to me when I denied to design a logo for her at her time frame and promised it to do later.. The company never started the logo she wanted for.. but its kinda scared to say you are in advertising, designing. people endup paying nothing but adding few more this and that alterations.n oh yeh, few also end up saying get your laptop to my place and design in front of me.. Huh,
Any solution for this problem?? how can such situations be tackled??

Any solution for this problem?? how can such situations be tackled??

Hi Santosh, thanks for your comments. I wish I knew the answer?

For friends it can be quite difficult, I guess you can try and do a swap, your design work in exchange for a skill they have?

I know what you mean about designing with someone sitting behind you. Its a nighmare when you have to do that for a paid job, let alone a free one.

I came across a site called www.no-spec.com which is trying to do something about stopping free spec work which is an interesting idea, and worth taking a look at.

I never do freebies. I used to, and I still get asked to. My agency (about 20 people) takes on a maximum of 2 charity jobs a year, but we NEVER do freebies outside of those.
For smaller jobs we work up spec visuals, but for anything chunky we always charge for concepts. This loses us the opportunity to go for some work, but stops us sinking 2 weeks into a proposal we don’t win.

Hi Steve

Thanks for your comment, you sound like you’ve got the balance right.

I did a pitch for a job a couple of years ago, and got the job, which they were really pleased with. I got another small job from them but that was all. Then they asked me to pitch for same job I had done previously again the next year, I declined (too busy with live work). If they know what your work is like, how well you can handle a job and you have given them a quote, why do you need to give more free work?

[…] post: Graphic Design Blog - I Want it Fee and I Want it Now! Imagine you walk into a electrical shop. “Hello Mrs/Mr Smith” says the shop owner, “How can I […]

Reminds me of the “Make me a website since we are friends” animation. Check it out if you haven’t seen it. It’s funny.

http://yoursite.xtgem.com/

Preferable answer “I would love to help but right now any more work will significantly decrease the quality of the rest of my projects, perhaps in later time if this is not something to rush.”

100% they wont ask it later on

Hi Frank and Romeo,

Thanks for your comments, like the cartoon Frank.

Romeo, nice idea, not sure how well it would go down though

Want to hear some other things clients try to pass off? Read Top 10 Lies Told By Clients over at evolt.org. It will probably make you laugh, roll your eyes and say “Yup, that’s about right.” The author also disputes the excuses/lies the clients give. Good things to be aware of, especially for those who are new (like me!) and don’t want to be taken advantage of or intimidated by clients.

Those are great, yes and so true! Thanks