Wednesday 5 November 2008

Yes!! you gotta Pay!!!

It sickens me to the bone, that my profession as a Designer is looked upon as 3rd rate in the profession pyramid. People here especially in South East Asia, they don't give designers such as myself much credit. Just because we're not part of the golden professional trinity 
( doctors, lawyers & engineers ) we don't deserve respect, better pay and better treatment. I've been in my industry for almost 5 years now and i've worked from the bottom. Everyday, from then is a constant struggle. We constantly have to deal with clients with issues of letting go. Some of these clients, don't understand how we function and work. 

They constantly bother you at every stage of the design process. They tell you how to do your work. What colors to choose. What concept to take. They demand unreasonable deadlines . They don't understand that good design takes time and when it involves print production in takes a minimum of 1 week and that is for offset. I find it absolutely redundant for them to hire a designer in the first place if they're gonna butt in all the time. If they can't trust a designer to do their job, don't hire one. DO IT YOURSELF!!

You don't see the doctor and tell him how to do his job RIGHT! You sit your ass down. You tell him what's wrong and he comes up with a diagnose and a prescription slip. Then out you go. You pay the man, business transaction complete. Why can't designer be treated as such? We do the job. Deliver it on time. Give you the best service money can buy but when it comes down to paying the bill, there's always problems. List of excuses i heard so far:

1. How come so expensive?
2. Your design so simple what!
3. My boss not in to sign the cheques
4. Can pay bit by bit ?

and the list goes on. Boy i wish i'd get a dollar for every excuses i've heard. Another classic problem is when a client refuses to pay for your services just because they decided not to use your designs. I say BOLLOCKS!!!! I don't blardy care if you don't use it. You still have to PAY!!! Creative consultation doesn't come free YO!! My ideas are my bread and butter. 

Try going to a lawyer and ask for an advice. Then treat him as you treat a graphic designer. Do you think, he'd let you walk out of his office without charging you ass EVEN though you disagreed with his advice / solution!!! No way in HELL. Expect a bill coming your way.
It is a service industry and it is subjective. 

All i ask is that, treat every profession with trust and much respect. Though they vary when placed side to side but they are specialist of their own sector. if you give them more, they will surprise you with their abilities.