Taking on a commission :)
Not so long ago torstan put up a post on "how to get commissions and get paid to map" not so long after mearrin69 started the thread "Rates for cartography commissions"
So, now I'll follow up with a talk about what to do when you plan to get that commission or allready got it.
See, its not always easy to get to agree on how the commission goes or what rules and rights one should be aware of. So I'll try to summarize some of the stuff for you
This is just of the top of my head , so feel free to comment and add information to this thread
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PAYMENT:
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As mentioned in mearrins thread this is a difficult area. A lot of things should be taken into account:
Size of the map
a bigger map would normally mean it'll take more time to produce
Quality of the map
the highter detail level the more hours it will take to make
Pixel or vector map
doesn't have to influence on the pricing of the map - but be aware that later scaling of the map might be a problem if there are not enough pixel to work with (for professional printing you'll use at least 300 pixels pr inch).
Shall the client obtain the original files as well
Normally the client will only obtain the finished document, typically in .jpg or .png - that means that you keep your original files. If the customer wants the original files then he (in theory) don't need you anymore rather he can get anyone to work on the job using your files as the basis. Normally you'll want to keep those files, not nessecarily to keep the client comming back, but those files represent the knowledge you have, the work you've done and what the client has payed for are only the result of the work, not the basis knowledge/your job secrets.
Exclusiveness of the map (may you sell it to other later - say after a set date)
If the client want to have exclusive rights to the map (many will) then the price should also reflect that, or rather if the client don't want exclusive rights, your prices should reflect that.
Is it fantasy or real world - are there many rules to uphold (scale, placement of stuff)
Rules can be good and bad for you. They do help you structure your work, but they can also hinder the flow of creativity and make you spend a lot of time looking over guides and so forth.
Time you use talking to the client
Of course you won't know this when you first take the job (unless you've heard from others), but some clients take up a lot of your time, either going over the details of the job again and again - or just chit-chatting. While this can be nice with some clients, it can also be anoying with others and at some point you'll have to concider if you'll need payment for that. Especially if it takes away time from other paying jobs.
How many edits will you do without charging more
Some clients might want you to correct this little detail.. and that, and this... and... and small details bunch up and suddenly you're spending hours correcting and editing a map you thought was done. So it might be good to assing x-number of edits up front or x-hours.
How much could the client pay factor
You sometimes charge less to a small client or to a client who wouldn't use the map commercially either to get the practice from the job or to just be nice
The "how big an artist are you" pricesetting.
The bigger the artist the bigger the price. Especially with maps in soho galleries there'll be more reconizion of the artistry of fantasy cartograhpers
This unfortunatly also works the other way - so if you've never done commissions before - your prices can't be to high if you want the job
Get an idea from the client
If you can get a ballpark figure from the client - you'll quickly decide if you wanna do the job for that or not
Payment terms
Remember to agree on how payment is handled. For big amounts an escrow service could be prudent (they hold the money), small amounts could be handled via transfers. Remember that if you trade via PayPal it can be an advantage that you deliver the final product physically (on a CD) so you'll have a reciept that the client has recieved the files, Paypal has been known to freeze your account if you're accused of "not delivering" (yep accusation is enough).
Feel free to ask for some money up front and during the process - for instance - 25% when the continent has been placed and so forth. You can also withhold the high res version of the map until the final payment has arrived.
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COPYRIGHT
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Normally the artist retain copyright of the work. What one "sells" are use rights, and often "exclusive use rights". This means that you the artist own the work, but that the client has the right to use it. Most clients should be satisfied with this arrangement as they get to use the work without having to pay extra for the copyright. You should also always make it clear that you get to use the work in your portfolio - of course in a way that doesn't infringe on the rights you have sold. So for instance you shouldn't post a map in high resolution so people could just download it instead of buying the product your client wants to use it for.
You might also restrict what the client can use the artwork for, or how many times he can use it. For instance you might agree that the map is use for a Roleplaying scenario and only for that. That means that if the client later on want's to use it for a map-pack, he'll have to purchase extra rights for that. This can help you control what your artwork is used for and also to make sure that it isn't used for things that you don't want to be assosiated with (hategroups, illegal activity etc).
Also normally the client has only purchased the right to use the artwork in his own works, that means he is not allowed to sell your artwork for others to use it.
Merchandize etc.:
if the artwork is supposed to be used for direct merchandizing/selling products as the carrying element, for instance on t-shirts or coffee cups, then the price should reflect this (higher price).
Please remember that it is your art that you copyright - the client has most likely supplied you with a lot of information about names and land placement, so he's got the copyright on that part, so often a map has shared copyrights. Of course if the job was "make an inn" all the input might be yours
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CREDIT
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You should also be sure to be credited for your work. (C)2010 Artist name
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NDA's
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A wise man once said - "If you got an idea - chances are another person has allready gotten it". Most original ideas turn out not to be so original when it comes down to it. Somebody has allready done it or are doing it. This goes for authors too. I do understand that somebody who's poured his heart and soul into a project want's to protect it at all costs - and so writes and NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement) to make sure that the artist doesn't steal an idea. Now, there is nothing wrong with NDA's, but please be aware of what you sign. If in the business world you have an idea and you go to a business angel to try to get funding - you'll never get him to sign the NDA, he'll show you the door instead and tell you that sometimes you'll have to trust people and that he sees so many ideas each week that your's probably won't stand out - but if it does, he just might have money for you.
The thing is, what a business angel buys isn't really the idea.. but the guy behind it. And when somebody has written that killer novel, its their brain thats the real gold and not the map/notes/etc that sells that. So basicly nobody is going to steal the novel. BUT as I said, I understand the protectiveness. However, you as the artist must also be protective of your upcomming work and I'm not talking about copyright - we've covered that. No, I'm talking about protecting your ability to work with other authors. So read the NDA closely and make sure that it doesn't impose rules upon you that may reflect negativly on your work with others. Remember the unique idea that the client think he has might not be so unique and when another client contacts you, you don't want to be bound by rules telling you that you can't take his commsions just because you've signed and NDA for a potential other commission. It is theoretical I know - but just be careful
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SUMMARY
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So check price/payment terms
number of edits
deadlines
copyright
credits
nda's
and remember you're not bound by anything until you sign a contract (a verbal deal is also binding although harder to prove) and feel free to ask for explanations of things you don't understand and feel free to propose changes to the contract as well
Good luck on your commissions
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