I would like to ask from some advice...
I'm consider fresh in design filed as I have no experience/exposure.
But currently I'm applying for designing job.

The other day I went for an interview, the interviewer request me to do a storyboard based on 3 different concept design for anything like lipstick/hair products in 1 week time. Then send 2 him to see to evaluate my work.
Then only he would discuss/ maybe call me for a 2nd interview.

Then I read No. 4 ( does this apply to this kind of situation as well??)

might be trying to get u to do his project?

sounds fishy as hell.. i was fooled once using this same keji technique. these days i only send flattened JPEG file in LOW quality.. pixelated. if they want hi res they better pay me first!!

Or you can insert a BIG watermark on the products saying "DESIGN BY XXXX".

That usually does the trick.

But watermarks can be photoshopped out, while low res pics cannot be "up-res"-ed.

ok, a question here~
how about artworks for magazine submission?

example : a magazine ask me to create an artwork to be featured in the magazine, or maybe ask me to design a cover and put my name/url as credit?

i see it as a way to expose myself, so i dont really care about being paid~
but should i actually need to request for payment?
and if yes, how much should it be?

thanks!!!

sometimes they can use such tactics to get ideas from applicants.

they may not end up hiring any at all but they have a lot of ideas (usually good ones la, cos you want to impress to get a job mah).

what you can do is come up with the idea and tell them that you will do the presentation.

of course, the idea still has to go out some how la but it could be a better way to safeguard yourself.

but later when you're hired, all credits go to the company. it'll end up as a portfolio of the company and not you. blabalblabla read the T&C of the company in detail.


yeah, but in some cases it's more than just watermark issue.

it's the idea that went along.




it's really up to you.


depends on how's the watermark done.

This post has been edited by goldfries: Apr 19 2007, 03:44 PM

Hey man great post, i wish i have read this post earlier well as a designer we must be equip with all the knowledge in dealing with clients.

i had an experience with my friend's family company, i wanna add one more point.


11. Could you change this ASAP now, the printer is in my office and awaiting the source file, after ur done could u send to me now.

12. No matter its ur close fren or relative, keep your rules straight when working with them.

- i was dealing with my 3 years close classmate, i let down my guards bassically i trusted her.... in the end after all is done... i went to her company to collect my pay check from her father the (OWNER of a business School ) a small one.... he told me this.

Client : i required 12 more designs for my event could u do it up by next week. and i will pay u when its done.

Me : We had an agreement that once i complete the current design i will get my payment, could i get 70% first since i have completed the task.

Client : NO, only 30% for now, after u completed wat i ask u wil lget ur pay. DONT BE GREEDY.

and i got my 30% i have no choice but to accept it, i told my fren about it as shes the one who requested for me to help her dad, she say she couldnt help me it's her dad. almost a year pass i nv did the 12 designs nor they or my fren even call me about it.

well ya .. i have the similar experience ..

a cousin wanted to open a new shop and asked me to design a logo for him . After i designed the logo and wanted to colect payment . But then he want to change the whole concept of it, TOTALY NOT THE SAME as he saying.

After i change as he say, and wish to colect some deposit. But the same word came out "dun be greedy" .... and he ask me to change again. This time is not the design, but is the name of the shop. ( My god, you tot really like delete and retyping word in computer ar ? ) and dun want to pay me anything.

so, i had stoped totally his job, and to fellow designer. PLEASE COLLECT DEPOSIT BEFORE U START WORKING!

I think the main problem in the Malaysian market is that clients tend to be more particular about cost than quality, thus encouraging designers, particularly those fresh and/or doing freelance to charge lower than the market.

I, myself admit that I have no knowledge about the market price when i used to freelance(I'm a fresh grad btw). Companies are not keen to expose interns and trainees to market prices as they will look to commission jobs to you after your training/internship period. In the end, I just charge what I feel my work deserves.

And in response to the post that stated the terms design/designers are used too loosely, I disagree, cause in my opinion, everybody can design. A design can be as simple as positioning a dot on a blank canvas. The difference is whether it is a good/bad design.

Of course, if someone is merely executing someone else's design/idea (i.e. creating an artwork in Photoshop without realising/questioning it's function/motives/meaning, merely based on client's wishes) then he/she is merely a technician.

And regarding the tips, it's useful but in the end it all boils down to management, do you do it the tough and professional way, or you're more into the casual and friendly way. Both will make/lose you clients and/or dollars, so it's really up to your style/personality... and luck

Please note the above are just my opinions and everyone is entitled to have opinions of their own.

This post has been edited by bryan85: Jul 18 2007, 12:37 PM

that's a realy nice idea of u.....now i can work with my design without worry been fool.... thanx man...

GOOOd postt

i collect 50% payment before moving my mouse for anyone's design.

they'll get 100% of their stuff only AFTER they pay in full.

Always, always keep your source files safe!

Too often I see designers/salesdude who come for a presentation pitch end up not removing their files from my laptop.

Also, for presentation, they didn't organize their files well. So they just copy the ENTIRE work folder into my PC. Meaning their psd, ai, fla, dir files are just 'given' to the client. How to cari makan like that!? End up I have to remind them about it.

Well, this is not exactly on-topic. But I think this will be a good reminder for all.

i was actually a "victim" to a few of the said above
but experience is always a good teacher!

lolz... should have read this before coming out to the work force -- then again, it all boils down to PR skills. Great info!!!

Good post...at least i learn something

i think its easy to ask money up front once u have a "name". trust me bro when i first started they all say this

"ala baru start wanna ask money. u so good ah wanna ask money first. lemme see sample first then we talk"

then next thing i knew i got my work copied. they just get some runt to copy my design. and they pay a quarter of the quaoted prize to this noob. it all boils down to ethics. will u do comission work based on copying other people's work. unless us designers unite and say tak nak to copypasta then the client will always find a way to steal ideas!

aih. even now i no name also i tell them to pay upfront ler.

they're ok wan. those that are not ok with it, i rather you don't do business with them.

you have the rights to decide whether to take on the project.

useful information for me . thanks