Artists who don't give a damn...
Ok folks, maybe I'm wrong here, help me out...
So I hire this artist to tighten up five character designs for me.
This person does awesome work and was my #1 pick.
I provided:
-basic concept sketches.
-50% up-front payment
-contract with specific details/expectations.
-Generous time-line (one month per character).
-Project officially started April 15th, 2007 to be completed by Dec 31st 2007
I AM STILL WAITING
As of last year I paid 100% with an additional 20% kicked in as "begging" money to get the project done. A couple months later I check my account and the last payment is still there. I ask the guy whats up and he forgot he had the check in his backpack.
Stuuuuuupid. Dood, go cash the damn check!
I've already blown off two business meetings because I don't want to show half-ass crap to investors. I'll admit lack of artwork isn't the only reason, but its a pretty damn big one. What we do is very visual and that artwork sets the tone and style for a lot of what we're trying to do. People key in on illustrations, not droves of plain text.
By now its almost complete, but the experience has been horrible. I didn't want to change artists because I wanted the style to stay consistent. I think this guy knew it and is taking advantage of that. My kindness has been a definite weakness on this one.
I'm sorry, but this is too much. After this project get completed I'm changing my contracts. I guess I need to start including penalties and punitive legal repercussions. And I absolutely will follow through with it. It may not make us popular with the artistic community, but in the end all I'm asking is for you to keep your word. I don't think that's too much.
So I hire this artist to tighten up five character designs for me.
This person does awesome work and was my #1 pick.
I provided:
-basic concept sketches.
-50% up-front payment
-contract with specific details/expectations.
-Generous time-line (one month per character).
-Project officially started April 15th, 2007 to be completed by Dec 31st 2007
I AM STILL WAITING
As of last year I paid 100% with an additional 20% kicked in as "begging" money to get the project done. A couple months later I check my account and the last payment is still there. I ask the guy whats up and he forgot he had the check in his backpack.
Stuuuuuupid. Dood, go cash the damn check!
I've already blown off two business meetings because I don't want to show half-ass crap to investors. I'll admit lack of artwork isn't the only reason, but its a pretty damn big one. What we do is very visual and that artwork sets the tone and style for a lot of what we're trying to do. People key in on illustrations, not droves of plain text.
By now its almost complete, but the experience has been horrible. I didn't want to change artists because I wanted the style to stay consistent. I think this guy knew it and is taking advantage of that. My kindness has been a definite weakness on this one.
I'm sorry, but this is too much. After this project get completed I'm changing my contracts. I guess I need to start including penalties and punitive legal repercussions. And I absolutely will follow through with it. It may not make us popular with the artistic community, but in the end all I'm asking is for you to keep your word. I don't think that's too much.