Lately I have been doing more design work with the actual construction left up to my client. The work is fun and profitable. The twist is that it isn't just a case of handing him a computer file and then having him reproduce it mechanically.

The artwork I hand the client is mostly artist's conceptions and some plans. The client then builds this as they see fit.

The rub is that this client is way more concerned with saving money than he is with building what I draw. He believes that skilled artisans are not worth the money they cost. His right no matter what I think. (I do express my opinion to him respectfully)

I am learning to not sweat what happens once a design leaves my hands. I put my all into the design work and am very proud of the concepts and ideas I produce. It still bothers me a little to think what might have been if skilled craftsmen had been allowed to build these designs.

For now I am content to let it go. I design what I am hired to do in a quality manner. I am paid well and enjoy the work. I also will continue to do quality work on the jobs I actually construct.

What would you do?? Could you handle others building your designs in ways that you wouldn't approve of?

'Cause, you see, it is like this. .. . .
I tore the sign off my shop, sawed it up and chunked it in the trash !!!!

[ September 25, 2001: Message edited by: John Smith ]

I'm not a sign maker, but I believe there's a corelation to design/publishing, which I know more about.

Essentially, there are three steps in any design and production process. Design, Art Direction and Production. I'd suggest you sell Art Direction along with your Design services, charging for it on an hourly basis. When you art-direct, you assure that the "producer" delivers the product the client wants. And if the production specs change for budget or other reasons, you can advise the client on how it will impact the final product, and/or suggest a better, lower impact way to reduce cost. This is a value-add, that's truly in the client's best interest.

If the client is only buying design, I'm with John -- your job is done the day they leave with the design. The art-direction and production have nothing to do with you.

My $.02,

Dan, it can be priced as an hourly rate. If the client is concerned at all with final product that is. Express to them in your initial meetings that, in the past, you have seen many projects go poorly and design was forsaken for price. Then, give them the art direction fee and state that that would be their guarantee of getting what you design in the first place. You would sound like a savior to them with that option. Certainly the strength of YOUR portfolio would convince even the dimmest of businessmen that YOU are the guy - for BOTH jobs.

I bet it would work!!

I think it's OK to let the customers do their own fab or installation.

1.) It frees you of any liability - no engineering required on your part and no worries about materials or failures

2.) Not everyone needs or wants someone else to produce for them, they just want a concept.

3.) You dont have to spend the time to produce the project, freeing up time for other projects.

4.) It kinda gives you more design freedom. You dont have to consider HOW it's supposed to be produced so you can kida go wild with it and let someone else deal with the crap and details - just like architects do.

When I do the engineering gigs, it's much of the same thing.
Imagine turning your well thought-out, highly designed, highly accurate shop drawings to some shop monkey who cant even fabricate the parts to within a half inch of where they're supposed to be.... Then think about the building that this $5 million worth of aluminum framing and glass has to fit on. It's bad enough when you have to worry about your own calculation errors (at least we engineers have four other people checking up on us) let alone the fabrication guys not producing the right number of parts or the right sized parts required for the project.

Your plans that are cut by cost factor only reflects on you as the designer or poor workmanship.

If a make shift company produces it at half the price and it falls to the ground, your name and image is tagged to the sales.

How not to be caught up in the Catch #22.

Ask for a signed waiver on the contractor part, stating of none complacency of design.
Inform your insurance of building codes,changes and new sub-contractor awarded to the project.

Written proof that all was not to specs.Budget cuts and changes.

Also look for re-design proofs submitted to the Permit Planning Board.

quote:

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Could you handle others building your designs in ways that you wouldn't approve of?

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Dan, That would be tuff to take. I can't even stand it when I am asked to build things in ways I don't approve of. You know, when they can't seem to come up with the bucks to do it right, but they still want the effect of a quality display. Over the years I've gotten really good at making ordinary materials (like MDO) look outstanding. Faux finishes and painted 3-D effects are fun and all, but it kills me to know in something like five years it's going to look beat. What bugs me even more is in the first five years it's going to look so awesome that others are going to say "make me one just like that", instead of stepping up to buy real carving or real gold.

It also stretches my brain muscles as we get into designing our own project - Giggle Ridge phase II. And believe me there are no brakes on this job.

Material costs remain relatively constant in this type of work. The difference is the price of skilled labor. And the more detail you inject the more time it takes. That is where most clients cut, but where we can go nuts on our own projects.

Giggle Ridge is a way for me to finally get off the road. I've been out of town working for most of my life. That is why I don't want to do franchises. I have had many offers. (to answer Jay's question.)

Giggle Ridge was also a chance to finally do a project that was true to the intent of the design and even better. Way better. A chance to do work that was the very best we could do. Until the next phase where it will be even better yet. More detail, more quality. You should see the design for the next phase!!! No client would ever build it.

We will also prove (to me anyhow) that what we propose makes sense financially. It will also save money in maintenance and upkeep over the long haul by being built right.

And the delight of our guests makes it all worth while. I overheard a kid the other day who was leaving with her parents as she yelled for all to hear "this is the best day of my life!!" To have provided a venue for her and her family to enjoy time together was what this business is all about!!