Managing scope creep is an essential aspect of every project
(Stolovitch, n.d.). Had I understood scope creep prior to
engaging in freelance work about 7 years ago my life might be very
different. Learning as you go and trying
to make it as a freelance graphic designer was tough business. I was either not getting paid or taking on
jobs with such tight deadlines I was working until 2 in the morning to make the
clients deadlines. I felt as though I
could not say no because I was not sure if there was more work coming in. Therefore, I never said no despite the
difficulties it caused in my personal life.
I really wanted to make freelancing work, I loved working from home and
having freedom to work where I wanted.
Sometimes at a coffee shop and other times in the living room that
flexibility inspired me and I was creative and happy. However, the finances were a mess.
For this blog I am supposed to describe a project that
relates to scope creep and the handling or lack of handling of that scope
creep. When I read the prompt, I
immediately thought about the client I worked for that never paid me. He was not the first client to refuse to pay
me even though I had delivered. What
happened on this project is a former coworker was starting a new business with
several people and they were in need of a logo.
I created a plan, had the client sign off on the plan including how many
logos would be submitted for review and how the revisions would work. I am not very confident in designing logos
and therefore when he came back and said they did not really like any of the
logos I felt bad. I thought it was my
fault. So, I designed more logos and
every time the same thing happened. I probably ended up designing about 30
logos for this former coworker. Every
time he would come back and say the partners did not like it. I asked how many partners and the details of
the presentation. I found out that it
was not just the partners but also their wives.
Yikes! There were around ten
people deciding on a logo and none of them could agree. The project had crept up on me and I knew it
was happening and I felt bad that my design skills were not as good as other designers. Therefore, I did not charge them for all of
the work. I just charged them my original quote but they were not happy with
any of the logos. Even after they chose
one to make adjustments to they did not like the adjustments I made based on
their recommendations.
It was a nightmare and I felt bad because I knew the
guy. However, looking back and analyzing
the situation I realize that I should have done several things
differently.
1.
Stuck to the original signed agreement
2.
Not second guess my design ability, after all he
liked all of my work at our former company, that is why he chose me
3.
Use documentation of the changes that were being
asked of me along with associated costs that would be incurred due to those
changes
4.
I should have presented the logos myself
5.
Let the client go after realizing I could not
make them happy (which was after the first 5 logos)
Looking back I also realize that I had designed a lot of
nice logos. They were amazing and they
weren’t going to win any awards but they were solid, reproducible in many
formats and represented the company’s vision and mission. Hindsight is always twenty-twenty which is
why I should have reflected on the situation back then and I may have come to a
different conclusion and stayed working as a freelancer.
In talking to my husband right before posting this he
reminded me of about three or four other clients who did the same thing. They had me design some proofs and end up
walking away and some never paid. I quit
calling to follow up after because it was apparent from the ignored emails and
phone messages that they were taking my ideas and never planning to pay for
them. I ran across this website: http://www.graphicdesignblender.com/freelancing-advice-from-successful-designers
in which several respected design professionals give advice to other designers
interested in freelancing. Many of them said that designers who are
interested need to ensure they do not short change themselves and charge
customers appropriate rates (Foster, 2011).
Several others mentioned knowing how to market yourself, write
contracts, and network in order to find businesses that will choose your work
and respect you as a designer and a professional (Foster, 2011).
Resources:
Foster, N. (2011,
August 19). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.graphicdesignblender.com/freelancing-advice-from-successful-designers