This is for every graphic designer, freelance or in-house, that has ever been disrespected.
When I first started out as a freelancer I was 26 years old and had only briefly worked as a graphic designer for my university–which was soul sucking enough I only lasted 8 months and knew I needed out. Enter freelancing, a word that contains one of my favorite words, free. For me, being free from as much of this false society as possible is immeasurable so I knew this was the path for me despite people’s outside opinions trying to deter me. What I didn’t know, is how unprofessional and inconsiderate some (definitely not all) of my future clients would be.
I have always been the kind of worker who gets their work done, on time, and professionally. Even right out the gate as a fresh young freelancer, I always communicated well with my clients, followed briefs and guidelines, and tried my hardest to get as close to their vision as possible. Since I’m this sort of person, I assumed I’d attract those same kind of considerations aimed back at me, but this is where I was naive. What did I gain from years of disrespect? I gained invaluable knowledge on how NOT to treat employees and below I’m going to go over some of that knowledge.
I’ve honestly wanted to express my frustrations as a freelancer for a long time, but I was afraid I might offend future clients, but if someone is offended by my story and me wanting respect and consideration, then you’re not someone I’d like to work with anyway. Equally, if you’re a past client who happens to see this, and you’re offended by it, maybe you should evaluate that.
Warning: This is an almost 13 year build-up of disrespect from multiple clients, across multiple industries, and multiple geographic locations.
1. If you can’t pay for a service then don’t use it.
This is my number one issue with clients. Lots of people have big ideas and dreams, but few have the capital to actually back it up. I don’t know how many times I’ve had to hound, beg, and at times threaten clients into paying me. Even when you think you’re protecting yourself with a contact or by using a site that supposedly has your back, the out and out disrespect for my time and effort unfortunately happens more than one would hope.
I would never hire an employee without ample funding.
2. Communication is key.
I’m all about honest, open, and quick communication, but many like to skirt around this. I get it, we’re all busy, but in today’s society where our phone is in our hand more than not, avoiding communication is one of my biggest annoyances. I am so respectful of other people’s time and yet people are rarely respectful of mine. I know if I had someone working with me (I will never say for me, only with me, they’re not my slave) and they needed a response, I would give it to them as quickly as possible. I’m not saying things don’t happen, but when people repeatedly ignore my requests and yet expect me to bounce to theirs like they’re the most important thing in existence, it’s a deal breaker and I might start treating you the same because the mutual respect is now gone.
I would never treat an employee like this, I would always honor their communications and time.
3. Trust your employee or hire one you do.
I am one of the most trustworthy people. You need this, you’re clear on it, and you trust me to get it done, we’re golden. Often times though, graphic designers aren’t afforded trust. We’re the expert, we’ve spent years learning the ins and outs of design and yet many people just believe we’re a machine to create their whims. I can’t imagine hiring an attorney and saying “Look, I know you know law and all, but we’re going to do this my way.” I don’t believe any profession is as disrespected as designers. You are hiring me to provide a professional service and yet you come back second guessing my every move and when I try to explain those moves have intention, it’s often ignored in favor of personal opinion.
I personally would let the experts do what experts do and listen to them, but that’s just me.
4. Reward loyalty.
If I were working with someone for an extended period of time, we have that trust, and they knocked everything I gave them out of the ballpark, I’d express my appreciation and gratitude for aiding me in my endeavors. This rarely, if ever, happens in the freelance world. I’m not saying some don’t, but I’ve actually had clients tell me I’m doing a phenomenal job and then pay me less because that’s all the funding they had. Literally praise you and then demote you, with no warning, I’ll add. I can’t imagine doing that to someone and not feeling like a total piece of shit.
If you’re loyal and good to me, I’ll reward that loyalty and respect.
5. An employee’s time is just as valuable as an employer's time.
I often feel like an afterthought to clients. It’s always about their time and if I don’t snap to then they’ll be off to find some other poor soul who lets others walk all over them. I’ve worked on vacations to get work done, on weekends, at night, on holidays, and people just act like that’s what you should do. No, I do that because I have a strong work ethic and sometimes creative inspiration happens on vacation, on the weekend, at night, on holidays, but that doesn’t mean people can just have what they want when they want it.
I would always treat my employee’s time with the utmost respect and I would insist on them taking time for themselves because honestly, most things can wait a few days.
Bottom line is this, I’ve learned so much over the past 13 years and I’m so grateful for all the kind respectful people I’ve encountered. I’m also grateful to the disrespectful ones because you’ve not only taught me that I shouldn’t take shit, but you’ve taught me how NOT to treat employees.
To those I might work with in the future, I know you’re solid if you saw this and still wanted to form a beautiful relationship. To those I might hire to work with me in the future, I hope you know I’ll always be kind, respectful, and if I can’t afford you, then I won’t hire you.
I could let the disrespect of others make me jaded, but instead I choose to use it as a lesson on how to treat others. What’s that golden rule…oh yeah, do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Let’s all respect each other because the beautiful things we could build out of that respect is so much better than the crap pumped out of disrespect–and boy is the world full of disrespectful crap right now.
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