First Steps as a Freelancer: Contracts

“First Steps as a Freelancer” is written by Mair Perkins, a student of MDes Visual Communication (Animation) and the Students' Union part time graphic designer, who is taking her first steps into the world of work as a self employed creative. Here she shares her ups and downs and summarizes what she has learned so far to inspire other young creatives to take their first steps.




Many students report contracts are not covered as part of their creative courses. When I had my first few real paid freelance jobs, I was initially excited but then nervous about how to proceed on the business side of things. Contracts may seem scary. They’re out of our comfortable creative zone and into the murky depths of business and law. Don’t fret. Learning about contracts is far easier than any creative project’s research and development phase. Just think of contracts as a brief. Similar to the project briefs or module outlines your tutor’s give you.


In my experience clients rarely give you a clearly defined brief that covers all aspects of the project you’ll be doing. Remember most of your clients will be expert in business or marketing and will have had little to no art education experience. Talk with your client and figure out what they want from you then type it up into an agreement. Work on drafting the document together so you’re both happy. This will help avoid problems later by ensuring you both share the same expectations from the project.


I found the most common problem is defining when a project ends? For example a client may ask you to design a flyer. You give a cost for the project based on how much time and skill it will require from you. You think the flyer is done and meets all their requirements. But they keep coming back and asking for more changes. Or ask you to turn it into a poster, or do the design again but with some different text. They might say this is all part of the same project whilst you thought it was just the one flyer. If you gave them an estimated time and cost for the one flyer when you’ve ended up doing for more than you first estimated. It also means your finances and time for other projects will be affected.


By simply talking about what you want from each other and putting together a contract, this can be avoided. It will keep you and your client happy. A contract will help you look professional, well organized and an expert in your creative field.


Visit http://speckyboy.com/2010/08/12/5-free-to-use-freelance-design-contract-templates/ for some free design contract templates and more information about terms and jargon used in contracts.


Next First Steps blog…preparing a portfolio."




Mair Perkins