Help! My designer is holding me hostage.
Thursday, December 16th, 2010Most of the clients that come my way are for redesigns. These clients happen to be some of my favorites because, A. they know what they don’t like and B. we already know what isn’t working for them. Most of the projects are dream jobs. The ones that aren’t are the ones coming from bad designer relationships. As a designer it really pains me to hear business owners say,
“I can’t get my logo from my designer.”
“This jpeg’s all he gave me”
“I don’t have the information for the back end of my site.”
“My designers has stopped taking my phone calls.”
And the the worst… “Can you call my designer for me, explain what I need and ask them to send it over.” Hmmm, no.
Situations like this should should never relly happen but do and often. I chalk it up to clients not knowing their rights from the onset of the designer client relationship.
Here are some common designer hostage situations and how they can be avoided.
Hostage Crisis #1
“I can’t get my logo from my designer.”
“This jpg is all he gave me.”
The Scenario:
Client and designer split and client has a crummy copy of the logo that the new designer can’t work with.
The Tactic:
When you hire a designer to create a logo for you always make sure the design will be done in vector form. Vector will allow you to scale the logo up and down, change color and have a transparent background. This files (the raw files) typically end in .ai or .eps. Ask your designer up front if they will be designed your logo in vector. It’s OK if you designer uses a jpg for working purposes as long as the original is in vector. That’s step one.
Once your logo is complete and you signed off on it and paid for it in full ask your designer to send you those .ai and/ or .eps files so you have a copy for safe keeping (so important). You’ll want to keep those in folder on your computer called “logos”. You might even want to burn them on a CD. Don’t loose them. As long as you are in business you will need them.
If you don’t have these files and only have jpegs or gifs you will most likely run into problems later with background issues, scaling issues and or color issues.
Hostage Crisis #2.
“I can’t get the information for the back end of my site.”
“I don’t have my domain name information.”
The Scenario:
Client would like to have work done on their website but can’t find their domain information and has no information for the back end of the site.
Tactic:
First: When you purchase a domain name it is important that you purchase it in your name. Your designer can help you with the process but a good designer should insist that your domain and hosting be purchased in your name. Even great relationships sometimes end and it costs money to transfer these rights if needed.
Next: Make sure you keep copies of all the paper work , user names and password that come from these transactions. I tell clients to keep a folder on their computer with this info as well as print a hard copy and have those in a folder. Here is another trick I use to keep track of account information, since I always keep a copy for my clients as well. I put an entry in my email program address book. So let’s say the domain in franjacoberger.com. My address book will have an entry for it and in there will have all my godaddy information (account number and such) as well as all my host info. It makes it super easy to find.
If going triplicate seems a bit excessive to you – trust me, it’s not compared to the nightmare you will face when you loose this information.
Hostage Crisis #3.
“My designer is holding my site hostage.”
If your bill is satisfied there is just no excuse for this. Having your account information is a great safeguard. Establishing the account your name, with your credit card and your email is another. In the event that you can’t access the site you should be able to call your host and have them reset the username and password and email you a new one.
The worst case scenario, you call a lawyer or if the site is a dud just walk away from it.
Finally, never ask a new designer to do your dirty work and call your old designer to resolve your problems. It’s a sure way to quickly sour your relationship with your new designer.
Working with a designer shouldn’t be dreadful if you know what you’re entitled to and responsible for.
Fran Jacoberger is a full service marketing, advertising and web design firm based in Long Island, NY.
