5 Things a Graphic Designer for Bands Should Never Do

Hello 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’m right here to inform you about 5 Things a Graphic Designer For Bands Should Never Do.

I initially began Ridgeline Media as a means to create revenue throughout the low season as a touring artist with RIVALS, working as a freelance 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 reminiscent of Bowling For Soup, Falling In Reverse, Kodak Black, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, BlackCraft, Lil Xan, Diamante, (hed)p.e., and lots of extra.

When it got here to the artwork aspect, 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 exterior of my very own band and have had the pleasure of bringing different artists’ visions to life.

Today 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 aspect of music, I hope these information you towards ensuring you could have a constructive working relationship.

RIVALS, “Dark Matter”

Never Provide Free Work or Grossly Discount Your Rate

I really feel as if this might sound harsh as all of us are on a finances, however much like musicians, a lot of graphic artists cost what they cost as a result of they really feel as if their time and work is well 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 in all probability get your shopper’s design thrown to the underside of the work pile. Yes, negotiation occurs and it’s possible you’ll work out a small low cost or worth discount – however graphic designers additionally have to eat and pay lease – if a band is hiring a designer for a fee however not paying sufficient for their time, they might not like what they get. The saying “you get what you pay for” is correct with regards to 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 may be pleased with when you really feel rushed or cheated in your fee. You could even battle to seek out motivation or inspiration on the mission. Respect your self and the worth of your work. You don’t want to just accept each fee request and it’s okay, which really brings me to my subsequent level…

Never Ghost on the Conversation

It is OKAY when 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 higher finances and thought of what you’ll be able to present. A easy, “Hey, unfortunately, that is a bit out of our price range” or “Hey, unfortunately after we chatted, I don’t think I have the time to meet your needs within your budget,” goes a great 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 shopper may simply actually like what you are doing and work out a method to meet your worth! (But as soon as once more, don’t enable them to haggle the value an excessive amount of). Be aware of your time, and ensure you are compensated pretty.

Never Shoot within the Dark (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 popular colours and fonts from the band. The band ought to be coming to you with some sort of thought and even a Pinterest board of different concepts which can be impressed by their music, model, type, and common vibe. As a lot as I really like capturing at midnight (..Not!) it is impossible anybody will like the primary idea with none context into what the band has visualized for their work. So for the sake of everybody’s time, ensure you are supplied some sort of idea, thought or inspiration.

There is one thing about with the ability to see the type my shopper goes for that brings inspiration to me as a entire! If you’re actually caught, strive asking for the track 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 see. Do your finest to ask for these particulars from the band at a minimal earlier than beginning the work:

Pinterest board
General thought or idea of design
Song or album hyperlink
Lyrics

RIVALS, “Dangerous”

Never Start Work Without A Deposit

I do know, it sounds normal to some…however for those that don’t perceive why a graphic designer ought to require deposits, let me clarify. Let’s say you’re approached to fee an album cowl; you begin mentioned 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 first draft collectively and ship it for evaluate…however the band then tells you they don’t like your type and are shifting 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 could have now wasted helpful time to make no cash, and probably 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 basically, they usually shield us from gifting away free work.

Never Rush Through the Project

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 good designer usually will set a timeframe of how lengthy a design ought to take. Be open and trustworthy together with your shopper, and talk how lengthy you want to full a first draft. Stick to 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 mission or really feel intimidated by your shopper to satisfy an unreasonable deadline.

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

Thanks to Kalie Wolfe for these must-know ideas for anybody working within the graphic design discipline with aspirations to accomplice 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. 

Follow RIVALS on Instagram, TikTook, (*5*), Facebook and Spotify. Get your copy of their 2021 album ‘Sad Looks Pretty To Me’ right here and head right here to view all the band’s upcoming tour dates. Visit the Ridgeline Media web site to see the corporate’s portfolio and be taught extra.