Ever had someone promise you unicorns and golden rays of sunshine if you just donated a tiny bit of your time to draw something for free? Work in the art industry long enough, and you will. These people all suffer from the same delusion that plagues the commercial art world today: the idea that art isn’t valuable. More and more, people assume that because art is everywhere, creating it must not take much—if any—effort.
So what’s the danger of working with these people? Could it really be that bad? The short answer: yes. These clients usually fall into one of four categories:
- The Friends in it for Fun
- The Guy with the Golden Idea
- The Charity Case
- The Soul-sucking Start-up
Let’s start with the first scenario.
1: They Do it for Fun, So Should You
A group of friends holed up in a dimly lit basement, surrounded by empty grape soda cans, calls you up and asks if you can do some character concepts. You’re into games, and it seems like a good match for your portfolio. Maybe you could squeeze it in. Besides, what if this project blows up, and you miss an amazing opportunity to be noticed?
Hold on there, sparky. These guys aren’t professionals. If they don’t seem like serious clients, don’t expect them to take you seriously. The chances of their game getting finished while everyone works on it in their spare time? So remote it’s not even funny. And on the one-in-a-billion chance they do make it big, you’d better have something in writing—otherwise, good luck getting a slice of that pie. After all, you did it for free. And according to them, “true” artists shouldn’t care about money anyway, right?
Sorry, but you can’t eat for free. They will never consider your work to be real work, and they will never want to pay you. Worse, they’ll expect you to forgo paying gigs to keep working on their project instead. I once had a guy ask for months of full-time work, complete with regular progress meetings and tight deadlines—all for nothing. Trust me, you don’t want to go there.
2: The Guy With the Golden Idea
A man claims to have a million-dollar idea. He can’t pay you now, of course, but once things take off, you’ll share the profits. All he needs is someone to bring his vision to life, and before you know it, you’ll both be sipping margaritas on some paradise island, basking in sunshine and cash.
Comic illustrator Mark Evanier calls this client the “unfinanced entrepreneur”:
“Unfinanced entrepreneurs don’t have any money—or, if they do, they’re not dumb enough to risk it on their own projects. They want you to assume the risk.”
Most “big ideas” aren’t that big. If someone isn’t already in the field they claim to be an expert in, tread carefully. Actually, just run—unless they’re making it worth your time. After all, if this guy’s idea is a guaranteed success, surely he could front a little of his own money. Just hire a professional now and rake in the cash later, right? Funny how the moment you suggest that, he goes quiet and stammers through an excuse.
If his idea isn’t worth his own money, it’s not worth your time. Every moment you waste on his doomed project is a moment you could be working a paying job. And even if someone like this is willing to pay, make sure you get a solid contract.
3: The Charity Case
Don’t get me wrong—I’m not knocking artists who donate their time to charitable causes. There are plenty of legitimate reasons to say yes to free work. But here’s the thing: just because a business isn’t profitable doesn’t mean it’s a non-profit.
If a third party—like a marketing firm or ad agency—contacts you about a charity project, ask if they’re doing their part for free. If they’re getting paid, they should have room in the budget to pay you too.
Also, if you don’t personally support the cause, don’t take the job. You don’t want your name attached to something that makes your skin crawl. But if it’s a great cause and you want to do it, make sure you clearly outline what you’re willing to contribute—so there are no surprises.
4: The Soul-sucking Start-up
They promise fame and fortune (to be paid by the next company, of course) for the low, low price of: your soul.
“Work for us,” they say. “Sure, we can’t pay you, but think of the exposure!” Before you know it, one job turns into another, then another. “Stick with it,” they tell you. “If you work for us, Blizzard or Wizards of the Coast will totally notice you eventually!”
Don’t do it. You will become a slave. These companies exist to make money, and they should know better. “Start-up” or not, if they want professional talent, they need to be willing to pay for professional talent. And if they don’t use professional talent? They aren’t likely to stay in business for long.
If they promise to pay you at a later date, get a solid contract that includes a clause like this: “I am getting paid on [specific date] regardless of the success of this project.”
Contracts are Your Friend
Never underestimate the power of contracts. If someone squirms at having something in writing, run. Legitimate project managers and companies have no reason to fear a contract. The only people who throw around words like “trust” or “why bother with contracts” are the ones planning to screw you over.
I strongly suggest you ask for 50% upfront and 50% upon completion. Most real clients won’t have an issue with this.
Advice for Non-professionals
I know there are artists of all levels reading this. Some of you may wonder if any of this applies to you. The short answer? Yes. Even a talented amateur should charge something. If you want to take on a free project to build your portfolio, that’s up to you. But once you reach a certain level, working for free doesn’t just devalue your work—it devalues the work of all artists and designers.
To quote Mark Evanier:
“You have a limited amount of creative energy. It’s finite, if only because there are only so many hours in a day. Value that creative energy. Because if you don’t, no one else will.”
Ending Thoughts on the Dangers of Working for Free
At the end of the day, your time, talent, and creativity have value—don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. Whether it’s a “friend” with a passion project, a guy with the next million-dollar idea, a so-called charity that mysteriously has a budget for everything except paying artists, or a start-up promising “exposure,” the bottom line is the same: if they don’t respect your work enough to compensate you fairly, they’re not worth your time. Set boundaries, demand contracts, and never be afraid to walk away. The art world thrives because of skilled, hardworking professionals—make sure you treat yourself like one.
2 Responses
If a cable guy can charge me $300 to show up at my place to install a socket point to fix my phone line then why can't artists with skills that are more refined charge more than "free"?
Some artists get so stuck in their world that they can fall into poverty in a 1st world country. I honestly struggle to understand how that happens.
I think artists need to integrate themselves into normal society. Do other jobs for money and life experience. Sometimes people need to experience the hardship and benefits of other jobs to realise things.
There are as many sob stories as there are artists. It's a struggle that will never end unless people structure the industry. Art is seems celebrity based. Sometimes even controlled by power bloggers/cyberbullies.
The best art related industry to work in is gambling. They pay well and on time and they don't ask for impossible or illegal things. It's like a real office job but you get to do art.
I used to work as a web designer before I switched to illustration and I see the same thing in that field. The cheap labor and free templates that amateurs are creating dilute the market value of the skills of the professional in the eyes of the layman. It's the bane of the freelance web designer. The biggest way to combat this in both areas is to educate the potential employers and artists about the value of these skills. Thanks for your comment.