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* The Business of Software

Hi,

I want to write a mini-course or mini-book which will reveal in details a work in design studio and will allow design customers better understand designers, how to work with them, what expect from them, etc.

I want to write something that is really useful. And as far as you all are our potential clients, tell me, please, what do I need to write about? Ask me some specific questions which you would like to get an answer on?

--
Thank you for your time in anvance.
Roman Rudnik
IconDesignLAB.com

My first question would be why is it you can hire a designer, they do good work, you thank them and pay the rate asked, then they vanish off the face of the Earth?

What's that about?

I've given up recommending any particular designer to clients, as it's like you guys take early retirement or something.



AC

lol

AC's comment seems funny, but it is EXACTLY my experience as well.  Can't ever get the same guy to work on something for me a second time a year later -- he's just gone.

I'd like to +1 the disappearing artist

I don't think I want to know the intimate details of designers' life.

What I probably want to know is how to get a design I want within a budget I set.

"Why the artist dissapear?" - got it, thanks.
One more specification: Have you worked with freelancer? Where did you find the arttist that dissapear?

>>What I probably want to know is how to get a design I want within a budget I set.
Vladimir, the questions is a bit abstract, could you please specify where the problem is? Maybe give me some example, so I know what explain?

Please understand that I never bought a custom icon, so the whole process is sort of a foggy goo for me. Still, let me guestimate what I may want to know...

Take any task. Say, application icon, since you're seem to specialize on them icons.

I have no idea:

- how much would it cost
- how long would it take
- what should give in the original specification (example of similar stuff? ideas? guidelines? color schemas? required formats?) and how lack of any above may cause me troubles
- what is the expected work process (iterations? small steps? one complete image at a time?) and variations thereof
- what with the intellectual rights (what should I not miss; does it help me or harm me if my icon is presented on designer portfolio?)
- designer upsells (e.g. design other graphic elements for the site that fit well with the icon) -- good idea, bad idea?

The whole details may be well leaded with an "executive summary" upon reading which I may quickly estimate if an custom icon is within my budget and time frame.

Hmm... looks like a long blog-post to me. But would as well fit as a book chapter.

Where from:

Rentacoder (I think they've changed their name now)
Freelancer.com
oDesk.com
Warriorforum.com

So basically freelancer sites and a forum.

I've never worked with a 'design company' per se, though today I do at least insist they have their own website. On my own main homepage I talk about hiring the best specialists and "must have their own website" is indeed part of my criteria today.


AC

+1 to the 'gone fishing' stories. I hired several times graphics designers from freelance boards (99 designs, elance etc) and when trying to get either followup work from them, or completely new projects, they just don't respond to emails or email back 'yeah I'll get back to you next week' - several times - after which I give up...

I even had 2 cases where people did work for me and then, even after me repeatedly asking for it, never send me any invoice or way of paying them! I *asked* them *several times* how I could *please give them money* for work they'd already done and they just never bothered getting back! One guy said 'I'm off working at my families farm in <very remote place but in wealthy Western country>', I'll email you some more suggestions and bank details in 6 months' (!). Never heard from him again.

Thank you, Vladimir, AC and Joske for your comments.
Now I definitely have what to write about.

If you (or anyone else) have other ideas for topics, please write