The problem with a graphic designer.

[Emily0415]

Hey guys!
I want to get some points of view from graphic designers about an experience I recently had with one. First, we accorded a budget of 400 dollars for a job that included some Flash, some design and of course, nice presentation. The deadline was around 2 weeks; I didn’t ask him for anything because I trusted him. So, when he delivers I was unhappy with some of the designs and he comes all grumpy at me, telling me what my mistakes were and that if I wanted him to fix those mistakes he would charge me with another 200, so I accepted. Then I realized that some text was wrong and I sent him the correct one and he charged me another 80 bucks just for making him so the same thing twice. Is this normal? What would you have charged me? What could I have gotten for 680 bucks from the beginning?

[semidelacon]

Sounds to me like your designer is making a fool out of you - he cannot go charging that kind of money for ridiculously small changes/typos.

On the other hand, the money you are paying him is pretty small really - but that is no excuse for treating you like that. Who knows where it will end?

I try to give someone a fixed price, regardless of problems or changes (to an extent), so we both know where we are from the start.

I hope this helps!!!

[JBinder]

Hi there

semidelacon is right. Always have an agreement with the designer/agency first so you know where you stand. Usually i think it's just a whole fee (incl amends etc) or a base fee with say 3 amends included., Any further amends they charge you an agreed rate (which of course they tell you before you start).

It is taking the pi** charging you the amount he wants. Maybe put this down to experience and don't use him again... Use us instead - he he...

Seriously, agree beforehand.

Hope this helps too.

Julie

[glebe digital]

400 canadian is like £200..........it's a pretty small budget, especially if it's been strung-out over two weeks.

However, did you request [or see the need] for interim examples of work-in-progress & the direction your design was taking?.......

My guess is your designer figured the job was 'done' according to brief & wasn't expecting it to boomerang.............changes post-brief always come at a cost, an extra £100 to fix the nessesary doesn't sound too harsh.

For clients:
1. Stay 'on top' of the brief.
2. Establish a framework for client sign-off beforehand.
3. Make sure you supply the correct content.

For freelancers:
1. Deliver updates of the work-in-progress.
2. Relish the feedback.
3. Avoid the grumps and stay proffessional!


Good luck
Stu