New to working with me, or freelance designers in general? This ain’t no side gig; this is my job and I take it and being paid seriously!
Contracts are important in our world, and I am very happy with how mine explains the designer/client relationship for people I have not worked with previously. Though the page may be a bit intimidating, this contract really is not complicated, and it is for your benefit to assure you of what to expect from me, as well.
What you see here is a standard list of what to expect in many different circumstances that may occur. What you will actually receive from me for an actual signature will also contain a summary of what we speak about in terms of your project needs and pricing, and when you read through it, you will see that I also address any concerns you mention to me.
*Legal babble is never fun, but helps assure we are both happy & protected. I do my best to meet your requests, but in order to uphold fair-play, this is documentation of an agreement, covering rights, payment, & delivery between both parties.
Official (Standard) Contract
{Process to Expect}
As to my standard delivery workflow, you can expect the following:
- Initial concepts for your design: After your deposit is made and signed contract received, concepts will be delivered as low-resolution preview images of the design direction. Direction choice and modification requests should be made at this stage before the next step. For larger collections of work that have multiple project pieces, only one design concept will be sent unless multiple options are requested; follow up pieces will be designed to match after the chosen direction is finalized.
- Refinement of concept: The feedback you provide me after the initial concepts will be used to fine tune the styling/details to best match you goals. Follow up pieces will be designed to match, and all pieces will then be sent as low-resolution images.
This refinement step may be repeated multiple times at hourly cost. - Project approval: Upon approval of images after all revisions, you will be billed the full balance and emailed the files for printing.
{Agreement to Work Together}
I have the experience and ability to perform the services you need and intend to carry them out in a professional and timely manner. On top of this, I will also maintain the confidentiality of any information that you provide. As the client, you have the power and ability to enter into this contract on behalf of your company or organization.
You agree to provide everything that is needed to complete the project including text, high resolution and/or vector images, and other information as and when it is required, and in the format asked for. You agree to review the work, provide clear and concise feedback, and sign-off approval in a timely manner of 2 business days to prevent lengthening of your project timeline. Along the way I will endeavor to meet all the deadlines set but cannot be responsible for a missed launch date or deadline if you are slow in supplying content, answering questions, or approving work on time, at any stage.
This collaboration is dependent on both of us, so you will also be bound by any dates that we set together (unless re-negotiated between both parties, or in times of unavoidable due-stress). Life happens, so if you need more time, I understand; please contact me to let me know as soon as you can, and expect there could be delays in the process. You hereby also agree to stick to the payment schedule set out in this contract.
{Estimated Costs}
- Project estimates are valid for 30 days from the date of receival of estimate. Project may be re-estimated if, upon receipt of all project elements (necessary files, text, images, etc.), the designer determines the scope of the project has been altered dramatically from the originally agreed upon concept discussion.
- Stock art/photography/fonts/domains/hosting and any other outside expenses to be purchased by the designer will be added to your invoice.
- Any additional work required outside of the above quoted description will be charged at a rate of $70/hr, or may be negotiated into a new quote. All future work will adhere to this same contract, with only specific project details changed, unless a new contract is submitted to you for review & signing.
- From experience, I have found that fixed-price contracts are rarely beneficial to the client, as they often limit you to your very first idea about how something should look or work. I don’t want to limit either your options or your opportunities to change your mind. The estimate/quoted price at the beginning of this document is based on the number of hours needed (approximately) to accomplish everything that you have told me you want to achieve at current time with this project. If you do want to change your mind & make additions after delivery of final goods, you will be charged the hourly rate, or we can re-negotiate a new deal.
{Payment Schedule}
- A deposit in an amount equal to 50% of the estimated cost of each project is requested in conjunction with the signed contract. An invoice for this deposit will be sent by email following the contract receival by the artist.
- The full, remaining balance is to be paid upon approval of the final low-resolution, preview image(s). After 30 days of non-payment, a 10% fee will be added on each 30 days following, compounding.
- Additional payment arrangements: Any additional work on this project will be charged at the hourly rate and must be paid in full upon approval of the final preview image. An invoice for the balance due will be sent by email upon receival of artwork approval.
{Reproduction of Work}
Per guild standards, upon final payment, the artist (Stacey Jones) maintains/waives (this will be determined in our negotiation first) the rights to ownership of the final creative/visual entity/artwork produced to clients (Your Name Here). The payable amount purchases the labor to generate assets, not/and (relative to previous statement) full rights to the assets for use in any application (marketing, resale, etc). The artist maintains the right to display the artwork for portfolio use, as well as entrance into contests for award money and/or recognition. No notice of this occurring will be required between the artist and client, however always appreciated.
{Rejection/Cancellation of Project}
The client shall not unreasonably withhold acceptance of, or payment for the project. If, prior to completion of the project, the client observes any nonconformance with the design plan or agreements, the designer must be promptly notified, allowing reasonable time for necessary corrections, and re-negotiating of the contract to account for changes of perception that may effect description and/or time needed. Rejection of the completed project or cancellation during its execution without opportunity for correction will result in forfeiture of deposit(s) and billing for all additional labor or expenses to date not covered by the deposit. All labor will be billed at the previously stated rate of $70/hr.
All elements of the project remain under ownership of the designer until completion of project and final payment, and then pre-negotiated files will be sent forward to the client/new owner. Designer will retain all files upon cancelation of project, with the exception of pre-made purchased assets that have been paid for by the client, such as fonts/domains/stock photography/etc. Any usage by the client of the design elements before full payment, or re-creation of such by another artist, will result in copyright infringement and appropriate legal action. Client shall bear all costs, expenses, and reasonable attorney’s fees in any action brought to recover payment under this contract.
{Completion/Delivery of Project}
The estimated completion date of the listed projects is approximately TBD, which includes 3 business days from today’s date for return of signed contract. I will endeavor to stay as true to the quoted time & budget as possible, but will need to adjust where extra time & work is needed, in lieu of your response time. Any delay in the completion of the project due to actions or negligence of client, unusual transportation delays, unforeseen illness, or external forces beyond the control of the designer, shall entitle the designer to extend the completion/delivery date, upon notifying the client, by the time equivalent to the period of such delay and unforeseen consequences. The client will assume any shipping or insurance costs. Any alteration or deviation from the above specifications involving extra costs will be executed only upon approval with the client.
{Acceptance of Agreement}
The above prices, specifications and conditions are hereby accepted. The designer is authorized to execute the project as outlined in this agreement. Payment will be made as proposed above.
