Question

[CanuckSigns]

I was reading a thread about using photos of work you did for another sign shop and not misrepresenting yourself and it got me thinking.

We use freelance designers for any projects we feel need that special touch that is beyond what we can offer in house. We don't tell our clients, as far as they know we design them in house. do you feel that this is misleading the client? Every once and a while we get a client that wants to come in and speak with the designer about their design, when that happens we tell them that our designer is not at our office, he works from home.

Any thoughts?

 

[visual800]

ask your designer if he will entertain this. I personally do not care for clients linguring over me while I design. its time consuming

 

[HDvinyl]

Netmeeting has worked many times for me when a client wants to "talk" about the design options they were sent. They can see my desktop and we talk about minor changes they want and I make the changes while they watch.

 

[Marlene]

I was reading a thread about using photos of work you did for another sign shop and not misrepresenting yourself and it got me thinking.

We use freelance designers for any projects we feel need that special touch that is beyond what we can offer in house. We don't tell our clients, as far as they know we design them in house. do you feel that this is misleading the client? Every once and a while we get a client that wants to come in and speak with the designer about their design, when that happens we tell them that our designer is not at our office, he works from home.

Any thoughts?

nope, not something you have to do. if you have an in house person dealing with the customer, that is all the personal touch they need.

 

[CanuckSigns]

Just to clarify, i'm not actually going to let the client meet with the designer, my main question is do you think it's ethical to let a client think you design their stuff, when in reality it's a freelance designer? how about adding the design work to your portfolio?

 

[Gino]

Just be honest with them and tell them it was a little above your comfort zone, but you conveyed what you/they wanted and had it done elsewhere by a professional, whom you work with on various projects.

If they want to move things around or make changes, just explain it can be done, but it will change their costs somewhat, as yours will go up, also. Unless you can eat the entire designers cost, it's the only way to save face and keep a customer happy.

 

[FireSprint.com]

We use contractors all the time for many things including artwork. In my opinion, it's not unethical to say one way or another, but we are pretty upfront about what we contract out and what's done under our roof.

You just have a perception that graphic design should be done in house. Do you ever have a supplier cut down a 4x8 sheet for you before you use it? Does it matter to the customer? It's a contracted service.

I personally think in many cases it's a good idea to have a liaison between the designer and the customer. It makes it easier to charge for the design service and forces the customer to think/visualize about what they want, rather than standing over a shoulder asking for micro adjustments.

I am 100% confident that if I said "My designer works from home, what would you like changed on this file." we wouldn't lose any business.

 

[shoresigns]

Why does everyone have this perception that customers will even care whether you are doing something in-house or subcontracting it? Every business has vendors/suppliers for one thing or another.

 

[Billct2]

I've had customers ask "Do you do this in-house". I am usually pretty straightforward about it. I think they have the perception that they're paying more, like they could get it direct. But I always call the outsource my wholesale vendor, so it's understood.

 

[neato]

Not unethical at all Scott. The freelancer is working for you when he or she is doing the design.

Personally, when I worked at a sign shop as a designer, I hated it when the salesman let the client come in to meet with me. I always thought he's the salesman, he should be the customer's contact. The more people involved, the messier it can get.

Just tell the customer that they can submit design changes and revisions to you and you will pass them on to your designer.

I agree with the above comments, I don't know why customers would care where the designer is working.

And personally, I feel you should be able to use your designers work in your portfolio, since your portfolio is showing examples of your capabilities as a company. When you have a freelance designer, you are capable of doing that calibur of design work. It would be like me posting an example of a digitally printed banner. I don't own a printer, I sub that work out. But I don't feel it's misleading to show that we are capable of producing digitally printed banners.

 

[CanuckSigns]

Not unethical at all Scott. The freelancer is working for you when he or she is doing the design.

Personally, when I worked at a sign shop as a designer, I hated it when the salesman let the client come in to meet with me. I always thought he's the salesman, he should be the customer's contact. The more people involved, the messier it can get.

Just tell the customer that they can submit design changes and revisions to you and you will pass them on to your designer.

I agree with the above comments, I don't know why customers would care where the designer is working.

And personally, I feel you should be able to use your designers work in your portfolio, since your portfolio is showing examples of your capabilities as a company. When you have a freelance designer, you are capable of doing that calibur of design work. It would be like me posting an example of a digitally printed banner. I don't own a printer, I sub that work out. But I don't feel it's misleading to show that we are capable of producing digitally printed banners.

Well here it is, direct rom he horse mouth so to speak!

Thanks Phillip!