5 Issues a Graphic Designer for Bands Ought to By no means Do

Hi there everybody! My title is Kalie Wolfe, and I’m the vocalist of the band RIVALS and the proprietor of Ridgeline Media graphic design and I am right here to let you know about 5 Issues a Graphic Designer For Bands Ought to By no means Do.

I initially began Ridgeline Media as a way to create revenue through the low season as a touring artist with RIVALS, working as a contract graphic designer promoting pre-made designs – however quickly discovered myself inundated with requests for customized work.

Since founding my enterprise in 2016, Ridgeline Media has created designs for high-tier shoppers akin to Bowling For Soup, Falling In Reverse, Kodak Black, The Pink Jumpsuit Equipment, BlackCraft, Lil Xan, Diamante, (hed)p.e., and plenty of extra.

When it got here to the artwork facet, I had been drawing my whole life however by no means actually thought I’d make a profession out of it till I began RIVALS. I’ve been doing graphic design outdoors of my very own band and have had the pleasure of bringing different artists’ visions to life.

At present I’ll determine 5 issues your band’s graphic designer ought to NEVER do when bringing your imaginative and prescient to life. I really feel as if a few of these would possibly really feel a bit apparent, however to those that don’t know or are new to the artwork facet of music, I hope these information you towards ensuring you will have a constructive working relationship.

RIVALS, “Darkish Matter”

By no means Present Free Work or Grossly Low cost Your Charge

I really feel as if this may appear harsh as all of us are on a price range, however just like musicians, plenty of graphic artists cost what they cost as a result of they really feel as if their time and work is definitely worth the price ticket. Designers spend years and years perfecting our craft; if we need to cost $500 for a fee, lowering the speed to $150 is simply plain degrading – and can most likely get your consumer’s design thrown to the underside of the work pile. Sure, negotiation occurs and you might work out a small low cost or worth discount – however graphic designers additionally must eat and pay lease – if a band is hiring a designer for a fee however not paying sufficient for his or her time, they could not like what they get. The saying “you get what you pay for” is correct on the subject of good design.

A graphic designer’s work is valued by their time and expertise, and you might not be capable of present work you may be happy with should you really feel rushed or cheated in your price. Chances are you’ll even battle to seek out motivation or inspiration on the venture. Respect your self and the worth of your work. You don’t want to simply accept each fee request and it’s okay, which truly brings me to my subsequent level…

By no means Ghost on the Dialog

It’s OKAY should you can not settle for a fee! Please don’t ghost or drop the dialog on anybody. This business could be very small, and also you by no means know when you’ll cross paths with an artist once more, or they arrive again with a greater price range and concept of what you’ll be able to present. A easy, “Hey, sadly, that may be a bit out of our worth vary” or “Hey, sadly after we chatted, I don’t suppose I’ve the time to satisfy your wants inside your price range,” goes a good distance! A easy response additionally lets the opposite individual know to not repeatedly badger you with follow-ups.

Plus, you actually by no means know when a consumer would possibly simply actually like what you are doing and work out a method to meet your worth! (However as soon as once more, don’t enable them to haggle the worth an excessive amount of). Be aware of your time, and ensure you are compensated pretty.

By no means Shoot within the Darkish (with concepts)

I want I might add this greater than as soon as. Do NOT simply begin the work with out having some type of concept, idea, and even most well-liked colours and fonts from the band. The band ought to be coming to you with some sort of concept or perhaps a Pinterest board of different concepts which are impressed by their music, model, model, and normal vibe. As a lot as I really like taking pictures in the dead of night (..Not!) it is most unlikely anybody will like the primary idea with none context into what the band has visualized for his or her work. So for the sake of everybody’s time, ensure you are offered some sort of idea, concept or inspiration.

There’s something about with the ability to see the model my consumer goes for that brings inspiration to me as an entire! In case you are actually caught, strive asking for the music or album that you’re making an attempt to fee for in addition to lyrics. The extra data you get, the extra inspiration you will discover. Do your finest to ask for these particulars from the band at a minimal earlier than beginning the work:

Pinterest board
Normal concept or idea of design
Track or album hyperlink
Lyrics

RIVALS, “Harmful”

By no means Begin Work With out A Deposit

I do know, it sounds commonplace to some…however for individuals who don’t perceive why a graphic designer ought to require deposits, let me clarify. For instance you’re approached to fee an album cowl; you begin stated artwork with no questions requested apart from an agreed-upon price ticket to be paid on the again finish. Then, you spend 10 hours placing a primary draft collectively and ship it for assessment…however the band then tells you they don’t like your model and are transferring ahead with one other artist.

A deposit would have lined on a regular basis spent on the primary draft of your work (10 hours); however with out one, you will have now wasted worthwhile time to make no cash, and presumably have your work circulating across the web with no protections. Deposits cowl an artist’s time and safe the time to work on a fee typically, and so they defend us from gifting away free work.

By no means Rush Via the Challenge

I get it; your consumer is happy, they need the work quick as a result of they need to launch their music quick…however an excellent designer sometimes will set a time-frame of how lengthy a design ought to take. Be open and trustworthy together with your consumer, and talk how lengthy it’s worthwhile to full a primary draft. Persist with the timeline that you understand you’ll be able to work inside, attempt to keep away from distractions, and don’t rush by way of your venture or really feel intimidated by your consumer to satisfy an unreasonable deadline.

Artwork takes time, and bringing your imaginative and prescient to life takes time. Permit your self and your consumer the time to speak, assessment a number of drafts and revisions, collect suggestions, and collaborate on enhancements.

Because of Kalie Wolfe for these must-know ideas for anybody working within the graphic design discipline with aspirations to companion with musical artists. Or with no matter else you might be doing in graphic design, these will all absolutely be useful in your individual profession. 

Observe RIVALS on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Fb and Spotify. Get your copy of their 2021 album ‘Unhappy Appears to be like Fairly To Me’ right here and head right here to view the entire band’s upcoming tour dates. Go to the Ridgeline Media web site to see the corporate’s portfolio and study extra.