Logo concepts for free?

[devolutiondesigns]

Once or twice now i have had new clients approach me for logo design work and ask me to come up with concept s for free.

It really winds me up.

They have asked me to do some designs and then if they like them then they will pay for the work

I am very busy as a designer and my working practice loosely revolves around 50% up front and the rest upon completion. I dont have time to work for nothing on the chance that if they like them they will then pay for the full work.

This presents 2 big risks.. one being they dont like the designs and the work you have done you dont get paid for. The second is that they take the concepts and go recreate them and finish them somewhere else, again you dont get paid.

What are other peoples views on that? Would you ever create come concepts for free?

I might occasionally pitch for large jobs but for logo designs my general attitude is that if you want a sheet of ideas from me for free .. jog on!

:icon_yucky:

[Dave L]

This kind of request swings on the hope that you're NOT busy and basically gagging for the work so it's an easy one to field. You might want to find out what they do as a business and ask them if they'll do a bunch of it for free in return for a promise of payment if you like it.

[devolutiondesigns]

They are a new techno club night. not really a fan of techno unfortunately.

[Corrosive]

See if you can get some mates in their club and explain that they'll pay when they leave, but only if they have had a good night. See if they buy that.

Genuinely, walk away from jobs like this. If they like enough in your portfolio to approach you then at least a non-refundable deposit for the concepts should not be a problem. Otherwise, as you rightly say, jog on! :icon_tongue_smilie:

[devolutiondesigns]

See if you can get some mates in their club and explain that they'll pay when they leave, but only if they have had a good night. See if they buy that.

Genuinely, walk away from jobs like this. If they like enough in your portfolio to approach you then at least a non-refundable deposit for the concepts should not be a problem. Otherwise, as you rightly say, jog on! :icon_tongue_smilie:

Exactly!

Maybe when i was starting out 5 years ago i would have done it.., Infact i did. But now its a case of just being too busy to do it. If i had a massive client come along then yeah it would be worth it but otherwise no way!

I think my reply was along the lines of 'jog on'

:icon_tongue_smilie:

[devolutiondesigns]

He just emailed me to say he found a company to do it for free .. hmm ok.

[Corrosive]

He just emailed me to say he found a company to do it for free .. hmm ok.

There's only two types of art you get for free in this world... 'clip' and 'word'. Dodged a bullet there I reckon.

[devolutiondesigns]

There's only two types of art you get for free in this world... 'clip' and 'word'. Dodged a bullet there I reckon.

And he wrote his emails with no capital letters or punctuation.
Text book case of 'AVOID'.

[Ian Bonner]

Send them this.

NO!SPEC | To educate the public about speculative (spec) work

[VLAHAKISA]

I would never create concepts for free. EVER.

No designer should. 50% up front and the rest on completion. Make sure your terms and conditions are water tight and if they don't pay the rest chase them for the fee using The Thomas Higgins Partnership | Business Debt Collection Solicitors

They will pay, believe me.

I found out about Thomas Higgins via this forum by the way. I've used them once, they are great :)

Amanda