The problem with offering freebee services

My first full website (other than my own) is launching this week. Despite a few technical bumps in the road, I am extremely happy with my design work. I did however learn something very important from this project. When it comes to professional services, never give things away for free or else the client will start taking advantage of you.

 It's a really big shame because as a small business owner I fully understand the plight of a startup company. I go into a project with the understanding that a company has a small budget and I do everything in my power to go under that budget. I even teach the client how to do the simple things themselves. So next time, they will make the updates instead of paying me to do it for them. Those that respect me as a professional, will get professional curtsies in return.

Unfortunately, I have come to the conclusion that once you do one favor, people just start to expect freebies. Even small things like taking $20 off an invoice, brought a client to ask for more than 2 days of free services. Some people just don't seem to understand that every favor that I give comes straight out of own pocket. So my new conclusion, is that unless I worked with you before and can trust you full heartily, no more freebies.

On the flip side, I do have many incredible clients that keep me believing in offering favors in the world of small business. I want to give a big shout out to two individuals who have always treated me as a professional. Glenn Rudin from Always Been Creative, Inc. and Debbie Ginsberg from Uncluttered Domain, Inc., taught me how to survive in the world of small business. Entrepreneurs like these two deserve every little bit of support that anyone can give them. Not only do they appreciate small favors, but in the end of the day if I need something in return, they will be there without question.

Small businesses survive by working together. By helping other businesses in small ways you will ultimately be helping yourself. But we all have small budgets and a limited amount of time. So if someone offers you some help, accept it graciously. Please don't make a fool of yourself and start expecting more then what is offered.

Shape My World - Activity Pages

Shape My World is a potential Children's Show that is currently being pitched to TV networks.
I am almost finished designing a website for the show.

Below are activity pages that I designed for the website. 
I came up the scenarios and copy, laid out the pages, designed all of the backgrounds and most of the props.

Vermont Valley - final dog food box design options

These will hopefully be the final options for the "Vermont Valley Doggy Treats" blueberry muffin flavored box. Once this flavor is ready, I will work on five other flavors. 

Sketches of Doggy Treat Mascot

I  am designing the packaging for the new Vermont Valley Doggy Treats.

<< This is the final mascot dog that will go onto all of the packaging and a lot of the promotional material. <<


>>The white dog to the right was originally designed as a sample idea by the printer. Glenn Rudin, the VV Doggy Treat creator, asked me to create something similar to the original style but cuter and more personal.>>

>>Glenn originally suggested a golden retriever. But after I created the design to the right, we both decided that the dog should a smaller and less fury breed.>>

Below are some sketches that I made before we landed on the final character.


The idea was to create a dog that will beg for his treats. Glenn asked for the dog to put his paws together in praying position. But after an hour of trying to sketch out dogs every picture was looking unnatural. So I journeyed to Central Park and analyzed the hundreds of dogs passing by. Finally I came to conclusion that Dog arms just don't bend that way and cartoons look unnatural when you try to make them do so.







Since the client asked for it I gave some samples where the dog is begging. But in the end of the day the final design had a more accurate portrayal of a real dog stance. Ironically, after hundreds of designs, the final product has a very similar pose to the to the original design.


<< Colors and final details.
White worked best because it will be put in front of many different color backgrounds.<<

MASCOT FUNKY FACT

Find out why Tony The Tiger and almost every other kids cereal mascot looks down, while adult cereals characters look straight ahead. 

http://uncommonjournalism.blogspot.com/2014/04/is-tony-tiger-hypnotizing-your-kid.html

http://animalnewyork.com/2014/tony-tiger-manipulating-eyes/

Imagine If - Social Media Campaign

Social Media Campaign images for Kosher Kurls Leave in Conditioner

Vermont Valley - Blueberry Dog Food front - initial samples

Vermont Valley is coming up with a new line of Doggy Treats. Here is the first look at the front of the box. There will be a lot of changes soon, including a new dog character. But for now, here are a few layout & font options.