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quality fonts since 1994 |
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How to commission original artwork
The process also applies to original typeface commissions. |
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1. Start thinking What will the artwork do? Entertain? Explain?. Expand? Compel? Reveal?Think about all of the ways you will actually use the artwork. What can it add to your communication? The more clearly you can articulate your needs, the more closely they'll be met. How long will the communication piece live? Just one time at an event? Or over the course of several years on a product package? How large will it be? How complex? Are there specifics that need to be included, or excluded? Will it have several versions? Who is the audience for this communication? How will they view the artwork? What are the competing products or services? Do you have copy that accompanies the artwork? Are there source materials I should refer to? How soon do you need it? What format do you need? You don't need to know ALL of the answers to these questions, but they may help you get ready for the step 2. 2. Talk to me. I'm always ready to talk. Whether you're ready to assign an Illustration or just wanting to talk to an illustrator about making custom art, I can help. I'm happy to help firm up your direction, or recommend an approach to integrating artwork into your communication piece. If you know that you're ready to assign artwork, I'll ask you about the uses you will put the artwork to. When we're satisfied that I understand the project, I'll prepare a detailed agreement for you to review. Once you're satisfied that we're on the same page, sign it and fax it back to me. That's the signal I need to start the project. Everything is negotiable. Then I prepare sketches based on your initial input. 3. Review sketches Our work is a collaboration. Your feedback is an essential part of the process of locating a great solution. At the first deadline, I'll send you rough sketches in black and white. I send PDF files so you can easily share them with your associates. The sketches will contain all of the subject matter requested, but won't look like final art. This is a process toward more and more refinement, so if I've missed some important aspect of the project, now is the time to get back on track. When we've discussed all aspects of the sketches, I'll proceed to create final art, incorporating changes requested. Unless we've made special arrangements, the sketches are not in color. If exacting color is a requirement, we can build extra time (and fees) into the schedule to allow for color adjustments after you've seen nearly final art. Depending on the complexity of the work, and the budget, I may take initial feedback from the first round and incorporate into a second, more refined sketch series to confirm a direction or narrow the choices. Only when we're both on the same page will I work on final art. 4. Put it to work After reviewing your feedback from the sketches, I prepare the final artwork. I deliver artwork in digital files in nearly any format you might need. 5. Drop me a line to start the process. |
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the short version: 1. Start thinking 2. Talk to me 3. Review sketches 4. Put it to work 5. Drop me a line
But wait, how much does it cost? Illustration fees are based on usage. An illustration used in a large direct mail campaign would command a much greater fee than the same Illustration used in a newsletter mailed to a small audience. I offer fair prices for the value added to your project. See also: joevanderbos.com |
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Contents © 2004 Joe VanDerBos. All rights reserved. Unauthorized copying is not permitted. sitemap |
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