5 Things a Graphic Designer for Bands Should Never Do

Hey everybody! My identify 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 earnings throughout 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 resembling Bowling For Soup, Falling In Reverse, Kodak Black, The Pink Jumpsuit Equipment, BlackCraft, Lil Xan, Diamante, (hed)p.e., and lots of extra.

When it got here to the artwork facet, I had been drawing my total 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 this time I’ll establish 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 may 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’ve a constructive working relationship.

RIVALS, “Darkish Matter”

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

I really feel as if this may appear harsh as all of us are on a funds, however just like musicians, numerous 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 wish to cost $500 for a fee, decreasing the speed to $150 is simply plain degrading – and can most likely get your shopper’s design thrown to the underside of the work pile. Sure, negotiation occurs and it’s possible you’ll work out a small low cost or worth discount – however graphic designers additionally must eat and pay hire – if a band is hiring a designer for a fee however not paying sufficient for his or her time, they might not like what they get. The saying “you get what you pay for” is correct in terms of good design.

A graphic designer’s work is valued by their time and expertise, and it’s possible you’ll not be capable of present work you’ll be happy with in the event you really feel rushed or cheated in your fee. You might even wrestle to search 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 really brings me to my subsequent level…

By no means Ghost on the Dialog

It’s OKAY in the event you can’t settle for a fee! Please don’t ghost or drop the dialog on anybody. This trade 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 funds and thought of what you may present. A easy, “Hey, sadly, that may be a bit out of our worth vary” or “Hey, sadly after we chatted, I don’t assume I’ve the time to satisfy your wants inside your funds,” goes a good distance! A easy response additionally lets the opposite individual know to not constantly badger you with follow-ups.

Plus, you actually by no means know when a shopper may simply actually like what you are doing and determine a technique to meet your worth! (However as soon as once more, don’t enable them to haggle the value an excessive amount of). Be conscious 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 thought, idea, and even most well-liked colours and fonts from the band. The band must be coming to you with some kind of thought or perhaps a Pinterest board of different concepts which can be impressed by their music, model, model, and common vibe. As a lot as I really like taking pictures at nighttime (..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 supplied some kind of idea, thought or inspiration.

There’s something about with the ability to see the model my shopper goes for that brings inspiration to me as an entire! If you’re actually caught, strive asking for the tune or album that you’re making an attempt to fee for in addition to lyrics. The extra info 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
Basic thought or idea of design
Tune 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. As an instance you’re approached to fee an album cowl; you begin stated artwork with no questions requested aside 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 overview…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’ve now wasted helpful 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 on the whole, and so they shield us from giving freely free work.

By no means Rush By way of the Mission

I get it; your shopper is worked up, they need the work quick as a result of they wish to launch their music quick…however a very good designer sometimes will set a time-frame of how lengthy a design ought to take. Be open and trustworthy together with your shopper, and talk how lengthy it is advisable full a primary draft. Stick with the timeline that you realize you may work inside, attempt to keep away from distractions, and don’t rush via your venture or really feel intimidated by your shopper to satisfy an unreasonable deadline.

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

Because of Kalie Wolfe for these must-know suggestions for anybody working within the graphic design subject with aspirations to associate with musical artists. Or with no matter else it’s possible you’ll be doing in graphic design, these will all absolutely be useful in your personal profession. 

Comply with RIVALS on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Fb and Spotify. Get your copy of their 2021 album ‘Unhappy Seems to be 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.