Advice on commissioning an illustrator

VMdesign

VMdesign

New Member
I am a brand designer working with a brand that has a new global identity that is a bit too narrow for the communications they produce locally. I am helping develop a campaign specific brand book and I am thinking of exploring an illustrative style. However, they are a middle size charity and don't have endless budget (what charity does?).

It's been a while since I commissioned an illustrator and so I wanted advice on how the IP/copyright works now. Can I just get some elements illustrated that can then be pulled together to create layouts, could these be vectors, and probably the main question is it possible for the client to buy the rights fully, so their brand is secure from further usage costs. If so what sort of costs would that purchase incur do you think?

Many thanks in advance

VM
 
The going rate used to be around an extra 50% of the original cost I think to hand over copyright but if it was a charity they might consider reducing this.
It depends on the individual and what is involved I guess, there are no set rules about these things. I don't usually charge extra to hand over full rights, but I don't work for big brands these days.

In your case it's more complicated, because first of all you've got to pay the illustrator to help you produce your designs of course.
 
Hi Wardy. thanks for the reply. It's good to know this isn't unheard of. I am just wary because a colleague was working with an illustrator recently to create a bespoke pattern to be used for a brand visual identity, and it came with so many caveats that it made its use almost impossible. Obviously stock sites come with some limitation but you can purchase advanced rights which give a greater level of usage. But for this project (after the illustration fee) I need for the charity's in house designers to be bale to use elements of the illustration however they like. It's unlikely to be for any kind of merchandise, but I can't rule that out if they want to sell T-shirts at a race for instance, or charity Christmas Cards. The illustration wouldn't be the hero on the page, but it could be included.
 
Yes, if we're talking stock images that's even more complicated. You can never be sure how much that same image has been used before or after you buy it. Always best to go bespoke and commission an illustrator -
more expensive initially but safer and potentially more cost-effective further down the line.
 
Yes I agree, plus it's so important to support creative industries in the face of AI erosion. So I am completely committed to using an illustrator, but want to make sure the client gets something fit for purpose.
 
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