I usually don't weigh in on most of the postings here,
but this is interesting to me, mainly because I have
been in exactly the same situation many times in my
career, and continue to face it now that I'm retired.
There are people in the world that think because you
are associated in the visual art world that you can
automatically and easily do all kinds of illustration
and graphic design work at the drop of a hat. We as
artists and teachers have a tendency to create our own
monsters, because we tend to be competent individuals
who make all of this stuff look easy. The unspoken
truth is that while it is easier for some than others,
it is our skill as artists, built over many years,
that appears to non-artists as being easy. We all
know deep down that "easy" is an illusion, and that as
much, if not more, thought and planning goes into
designing a brochure or booklet than goes into
planning a piece of fine art, because it is outside
our usual approach to creativity.
I have lost count of how many graphic designs, logos,
booklets, brochures and posters I have created over
the years for absolutely no compensation. I am
constantly asked to design such things for my former
school colleagues and groups I belong to because I can
do a professional job for no compensation. Just last
night, I e-mailed a program cover for a music teacher
and a poster to the local library for Dr. Seuss night
that I was asked to design.
I really don't mind doing the work, mainly because it
helps build or maintain my skills in design, which
aides my own publications. However, I do agree with
other list members that it is ironic that musicians
and others in the arts generally don't give their
skills for free, or are even asked to perform gratis
very often, where visual artists are frequently asked
for free services. I guess it is part of the curse of
being a competent artist with skills very few possess.
Or, in my case, not knowing when to say no!
As to the issue of copyright, the vast majority of the
things I have designed have been for temporary events,
so copyright is not much of an issue. However, I have
claimed copyright for illustrated booklets and logos
that could be published, just in case somewhere down
the road that should happen.
