Comments on: Graphic design contracts – your advice

By: Ahsan R. Shami

Ahsan R. Shami — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:21:43 +0000

David, Fantastic stuff! Been lurking around the blog for a long while and you’ve been doing a great job with it. Cheers!

By: David Airey

David Airey — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:32:59 +0000

My pleasure, Jennifer. Thanks again for joining in the original discussion.

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:50:43 +0000

Hello David,

We’ve also found that using contracts is also a way of getting clients to be serious about the design process. It’s the ‘yes we really are going ahead with work on this project’ starting gate.

Thanks for mentioning my comment. :)

Jennifer

By: Chris Chong

Chris Chong — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 06:24:53 +0000

Thanks for a great post… something all designers really need to consider.

By: David Airey

David Airey — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:29:23 +0000

My pleasure, Amanda, and thanks for backing up your original thoughts by leaving a comment. I agree, it can be a nice help not having to receive a physical signature from clients, and one I’m sure they appreciate.

Vim,

It’s all too easy to pen a form without reading all the print. I know I have. In fact, just a few weeks ago I bought a new sofa, and needed to sign a form in the shop. Did I grant power of attorney? Unlikely, but there’s that glimmer of chance.

James,

Thank you buddy. Good advice about help from uni.

By: James Kurtz III

James Kurtz III — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 15:03:11 +0000

Thanks for featuring my comment, David. :)

By: Szabi

Szabi — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 09:54:23 +0000

Wow. This is a very useful post. I really like Amanda’s solution and the payment upfront is just something necessary. That of course I also had to learn from my own mistake. :)

By: Vim

Vim — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 08:13:55 +0000

Great post, some helpful tips. Reading the many pages within a contract can be daunting, has anybody ever signed a contract without a reading the contact?

By: Dainis Graveris

Dainis Graveris — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 21:38:53 +0000

great reading from experienced designers, thank You.

By: Amanda Vlahakis

Amanda Vlahakis — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:21:58 +0000

Thanks for the mention David :)

Although it doesn’t seem formal, the method we use does create a legally binding contract, and it certainly works pretty much 100% in terms of gaining the right sort of client and avoiding non payment issues.

Even having to chase clients for payment is rare, the vast majority pay the final bill in a timely manner.

The massive bonus is that this method avoids putting the potential customer of the deal with onerous (and intimidating) contract signing.