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*TTRPGs General
A Guide to RPG Freelance Rates: Part 2 (Layout, Illustration, and Cartography)
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<blockquote data-quote="MNblockhead" data-source="post: 7778090" data-attributes="member: 6796661"><p>As Steve Jobs said, "real artists ship!"</p><p></p><p>A lot of artists have personalities that may help to make them creative but difficult to work with. Also, many of the more business minded have more "cookie cutter" approaches that leads to forgettable art. It is something special when you find someone who is both. </p><p></p><p>In my experience it helps to have someone who is staying on top of the freelancer, who knows how to work with artists and keep them on task. Ultimately, you want a good final product, even if you have to manage some challenging personalities to get there. </p><p></p><p>I had a Web designer that worked with at a prior company who had a fear of using bathrooms in public or other people's houses. He also once cancelled a meeting because he took a crap (at his own place) and needed to take a shower. He didn't even bother to make up another excuse. But folks liked his work. </p><p></p><p>You can get away with a lot if you are talented enough and ultimately deliver--not that I recommend anyone impose their quirks on others, lot's of business are not going to put up with that unless you are a top name.</p><p></p><p>As someone who has worked with a lot of freelancers (mostly for custom python scripts and Web development, and artists for marketing material), the most important thing, after actual skill, is communication. Often, the most sensitive aspect of a project is not cost but predictability and schedule. Be clear up front what changes will increase the cost. Be careful with ranges. Customers tend to remember the lower number. </p><p></p><p>I feel for artists. Most buyers don't have a lot of experience buying art and they often underestimate the work involved. Also, there is so much competition that it is easy be undercut. If you live in America or Western Europe, you can't really compete on cost and make a decent living. There are many excellent artists in other parts of the world willing to work for a much lower rate that still gives them a good quality of life. Your advantages will be ease of communication and legal protections, but that often isn't enough. You better work on a distinctive and marketable style and build a great network.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="MNblockhead, post: 7778090, member: 6796661"] As Steve Jobs said, "real artists ship!" A lot of artists have personalities that may help to make them creative but difficult to work with. Also, many of the more business minded have more "cookie cutter" approaches that leads to forgettable art. It is something special when you find someone who is both. In my experience it helps to have someone who is staying on top of the freelancer, who knows how to work with artists and keep them on task. Ultimately, you want a good final product, even if you have to manage some challenging personalities to get there. I had a Web designer that worked with at a prior company who had a fear of using bathrooms in public or other people's houses. He also once cancelled a meeting because he took a crap (at his own place) and needed to take a shower. He didn't even bother to make up another excuse. But folks liked his work. You can get away with a lot if you are talented enough and ultimately deliver--not that I recommend anyone impose their quirks on others, lot's of business are not going to put up with that unless you are a top name. As someone who has worked with a lot of freelancers (mostly for custom python scripts and Web development, and artists for marketing material), the most important thing, after actual skill, is communication. Often, the most sensitive aspect of a project is not cost but predictability and schedule. Be clear up front what changes will increase the cost. Be careful with ranges. Customers tend to remember the lower number. I feel for artists. Most buyers don't have a lot of experience buying art and they often underestimate the work involved. Also, there is so much competition that it is easy be undercut. If you live in America or Western Europe, you can't really compete on cost and make a decent living. There are many excellent artists in other parts of the world willing to work for a much lower rate that still gives them a good quality of life. Your advantages will be ease of communication and legal protections, but that often isn't enough. You better work on a distinctive and marketable style and build a great network. [/QUOTE]
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A Guide to RPG Freelance Rates: Part 2 (Layout, Illustration, and Cartography)
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