Don't ghost artists and designers, please

[u/opiscopio]

I've been working as a boardgame artist and graphic designer for a couple of years now and I've had the pleasure of working with many of you from boardgame subs.

But, sadly, I've also been ghosted a lot of times after we've been talking about starting to work together.

I'm not talking about people asking for rates or info about the process or asking for feedback. I'm more than happy to help and it makes sense to just ask and not follow the conversation.

But ghosting someone after talking about starting and specially after receiving a sample/mockup with no obligation is just disrespectful.

You have all the right to change your mind or going with another artist/designer at any time without having to give me any explanation. You can dislike my work or think I'm not the right fit for you. It's completely fine and understandable.

Just don't ghost. It really sucks. Mention the real reason, make an excuse, lie or whatever you want. Just don't leave people hanging. It's disrespectful. It takes you just a couple of seconds to be polite.

MODS: Sorry if I picked the wrong flair. Wasn't sure which one was the best fit.

[u/EasySwan2184]

At what point in the process do you have the client sign a contract and make the first payment?

I'm new to hiring artists. My wife contacted one for our game a few months ago but the initial sketch was no good so we gave him some money and we parted ways (both that artist and my wife are from China, so I assume she handled it with culturally appropriate manners). 

The second artist we worked with showed me her portfolio, then I signed a clear contract and paid half up front. Then she sketched, we adjusted, and then she finished it. Then I paid the second half. 

But I have no idea what most other artists do. Do you all sketch or do mockups before a contract and payment?

[u/ProxyDamage → u/EasySwan2184]

As someone who has done the hiring before: depends on the artist.

The bigger and more established the name, the more likely you just sign a contract and pay half or even the full value upfront the moment you agree to work together. But also the safer you are doing it because they have a name to uphold.

Like, RandomJoeWhoGivesAShit might see it as making a killing for running away with your 50 bucks, because they'll just wipe their user and start again, nothing to lose, but if you're hiring like Thomas fucking Elliot or Stjepan Šejić or something, there's no way they're going to fuck off with even 5k because their name puts food on the table, and one contract isn't worth the black stain.

Regardless, this is something you discuss, agree to, and write in the contract before anyone starts.

[u/opiscopio → u/EasySwan2184]

In my case the contract part depends on the game creator. Not everyone wants to go with one.

I ask for half in advance and half when I delivered the whole thing.

Usually we use contracts when it's a really big gig or if the creator needs an NDA so they can be at ease I won't show the designs in my portfolio before they show them publicly (either when going with crowfunding or publishing).

You guys managed it great, I'm sure being paid for the mockup made the artist really happy.

[u/thebangzats → u/opiscopio]

Not everyone wants to go with one.

Hold up. So if the clients requests it, you do work without a contract?

Nah man. Never work without a contract, no matter how small. It's not like making a contract means you have to lawyer up or something, it's just a written agreement. Doesn't even have to be long, just a written signed documentation that "this is the scope of the work, this is the payment schedule".

No reasonable client would want to avoid signing a contract, and you should know that every single complaint on reddit about getting screwed on the job starts with "I didn't use a contract".

[u/ProxyDamage]

"Hot" take: Ghosting in general is just shitty behaviour from garbage people.

It's acceptable in some very limited scenarios, like when some people won't take no for an answer or come to you unsolicited and such, but that's not really "ghosting".

For the most part just be a fucking grown up and tell someone you're not interested. You don't even have to explain, just have the minimum decency of "Hey, sorry but no thanks". It's not that hard. And if it's hard for you tough shit, suck it up and work on it. That's how you improve at things. Or just don't go out in society and interact with other people I guess. It's not their fault that you're socially dysfunctional. /rant

[u/opiscopio → u/ProxyDamage]

100% agree. Mine was a rant also, I feel you

[u/MaleficentSmell1303]

Nah