*What should I ask?* Question 2!

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exigeracer

exigeracer

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I had a Lotus Elise owner contact me online with some requests. First he wanted some simple Photoshop help with colouring his wheels. He then went on to describe how he will be tracking the Elise and it will become a permenant track machine. He wants to have a vinyl design done to have his Elise stand out on the track scene, and wanted my artistic vision and photoshop knowhow to come up with some ideas.

So I did. I spent a good two hours and came up with a pretty decent design that would go real good with his car and some simple requests. I haven't showed him yet, because I didn't want him to run off with the design and I am left with nothing.

I asked him if this was a simple "can you give me some ideas" request or "I'll hire you to design something for me." He replies and says how this could be taken as a business proposal. He is getting a tires supplier who is asking money and not promotional space on the car, and I should consider both options if I have a design. He seems like a proper businessman, sit down and talk things over clearly and honestly. I really doubt I will get screwed out of anything.

Now, I'm not trying to make a business of this, so I couldn't see the purpose of having somebody on the other side of the continent with my business card as a sticker on his track car. Should I just ask for an amount of money for the work? If so, how much?

Or am I being really greedy and I should be happy that someone is using my ideas on his sixty thousand dollar toy? Should I come up with a larger personalized-to-Ansis design logo and have my "own" racecar?

Any graphic designers who do similar work? Can anyone help me?
 
Is he far away? meet him for a business meeting to show him the designs printed out. Also make sure you have some contracts drawn up so that he can sign it. The contracts should contain a few disclosure issues as well as an agreement for payment at XXX. You could even leave it blank and discuss/negotiate a fee on the spot.

I don't think your being greedy. He asked for you to do a job and you did it. Next time I recommend discussing money before designing. But maybe keep samples on your website/advertising space.

Also makes sure that the above contract specifies that you can use shots of his car (when painted with the design) for your website or advertisement. If he is genuine, I’m sure he won't mind a bit of promotion of his vehicles.

Best of luck.
 
Has he seen any of your work before? Have you done anything this big before?
I'd try and see the car in person before any solid design is started, and make lots of choices for him (Do five of six thumbnails and ask which he likes best, etc).
Questions I'd ask of the owner: Can I drive it!?!?

Edit - missed the part where you said you've already got a design goin'. Skim reading does that. Mabye make a couple variations to show with the original?
 
Well I talked it over with him, and it turns out he is looking for a favor more than a business exchange. He is getting other "favors" from others as well, for more important and expensive products and services, and they aren't asking anything at all in return.

I sent him the design I had come up with, and in return I will receive credit for the work if he is asked, I have permission to use it in my portfolio (which is really good), and I get a ride in his Elise, if I happen to be in Arizona.

I don't mind at all though. He still isn't sure how or if he will go throug with any of it, but it is cool that a total stranger is considering putting my work onto his expensive car. That in itself is worth my time.

Thanks for the help though.
 
exigeracer
Well I talked it over with him, and it turns out he is looking for a favor more than a business exchange. He is getting other "favors" from others as well, for more important and expensive products and services, and they aren't asking anything at all in return.

I sent him the design I had come up with, and in return I will receive credit for the work if he is asked, I have permission to use it in my portfolio (which is really good), and I get a ride in his Elise, if I happen to be in Arizona.

I don't mind at all though. He still isn't sure how or if he will go throug with any of it, but it is cool that a total stranger is considering putting my work onto his expensive car. That in itself is worth my time.

Thanks for the help though.
Click to expand...

That's cool for you, I know you might be "disapointed" that he isn't considering paying you for it, but racing does get really expensive at some point. I know for instance that a year in Formule Renault, without buying a car, but simply renting one costs approx 280'000 euros.

I'd still be hounoured of doing the work, depending on how long it does take obviously, and who knows, someone else running a race against you might ask you for the same?
 
Exigeracer, if he's looking for work to be done as a favor (well I'm not entirely surprised as motorsport is very expensive in any event), I'd be inclined to make sure you have plenty of advertisement for your business visible on the car. Make sure you have your company name plastered fairly large on it and make sure it's in a really visible location. That way you might just get something else out of it.. like more work that pays... that’s my 2 cents anyway...
 
I've got another "what do you think this should cost?"-type question which I will post here instead of making a new thread.

I have a large picture I'd like to turn into a poster, and I was wondering how much it would cost to print. I'm talking huge, though. The image resolution is 17,303x768, which would end up being over 6 metres long. How much would this cost to print? Who would print this for me? Help!
 
I'm guessing it would cost several hundred dollars. You could probably get it printed at a sign/banner making store.
 
I suppose so. They printed me a hugeass banner for a baseball game once.
 

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