Illustrators?
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- paela
I'm hoping someone can give me some advice on how to deal with a client situation.
I've been asked by another design group for illustration help on a spec book project. The client is a professor writing a pop-science book and he needs 50-100 technical/scientific illustrations. He won't have money until he finds a publisher, and he wants to present his book to them with at least some of the illustrations completed. I'm a graphic designer and (for pay) have only done fairly simple illustrations for a science professor and signed the rights over... I have no idea how to deal with this situation. I normally wouldn't work on spec, but this particular project interests me a lot. What options do I have? Could I do the work completely on spec and then claim royalties, and if so, how much would be appropriate? The book is really interesting and it seems like it could be a good seller. If I don't claim royalties, what seems like a fair price for the project? If the client is pressed for the money up front, it seems to me like we would probably miss out on more money in the long run. I don't know how big a gamble it is. Any help or advice would be much appreciated!
- shellie0
thats so funny my boyfriend had the SAME problem with a grade school teacher writing a children's science book. He did about 5 drawings and then decided thanks but no thanks.
i have no advice for you except make sure you have a contract.
- Bio0
my advice, dont do all of the illustrations.
just do a couple and copy and paste them FPO style for where the other illustrations will be later.
just my thoughts =)
- Bio0
and yes.
contracts keep you safe (mostly)
- ok_static0
Layout printing = Lo Res.
Paid = High Res.
- unknown0
yeah I agree, contract contract contract!
I was in a similar situation back in 96 with one of my professors. I told him I'd do it for $10/hr (this was while i was still in school, so that was big money back then) and he never talked to me about it again, ha ha!
:P
- adriandd0
Don't know too much about book agreements, but tread carefully.
You should probably register at the ispot forums and look through the archive for tips on book contracts etc.
http://www.theispot.com/arttalk/…
good luck!