As the poster designed by Lunch Breath clearly states : FUN FACT : As a graphic designer, fully 92% of your times will be spent on unpaid favors. When I saw this poster, my first reaction was to laugh, well you have to admit its a pretty funny poster with the Killer Jellyfish of Graphic Design Favors … but on the other hand… its a NOT-SO-FUN-FACT… well if you are a designer, like me… you have to admit, its sooooo true.
Now don’t get me wrong, these so called “favors” I did agree to them, and majority of the time I like designing these “favors” but lets be honest. As a business person, it’s a waste of time and money. But for some reason I find myself to be in the same pattern, even after 7 years of design experience. I tend to be too nice when it comes to offering my design services, and for some reason FAVORS seem to be attracted to me.
Reading the poster I am beyond guilty… hence my 92% should be more like 95% (so here is my list… of related favors)
- Designing a t-shirt : been there done that (not a cute person though)
- Last minute powerpoint : More like last minute presentation (PDF)
- Email blast : More like responding to way too many web/design questions that don’t even have to do with the “favor” in question
- Illustrations for unpublished childrens book : More like for a work manual
- Website for sister-in-law : More like a friend
- Gig Poster : More like Poster and Ticket for an event
- Logo : I think I did at least 10 favors in this category
- Baby Announcement : More like baby shower invite
- Jersey Graphic : (wow, one that doesn’t apply… whoo hooo)
But I did do these favors (not on the list above)
- Business cards designs
- Letterhead + Envelope Design
- Blog design
- Wedding Invitation
- Car lettering
- CD Cover and Insert
I am sure there is more… but I’ll leave it at that. So today, I vow to limit my favors to 1 or 2 a year. I mean, I can’t completely say no to say my sister who is starting up a business and needs a logo and stationery… or to a good friend who’s getting married and would like to have a kick ass invitation. But… if you happen to be the 3rd person to ask. It’s a no-no. I have to admit though, that these favors tend to be people I am close with. Family, Friends, or friends of friends… but ONE day… I WILL CHARGE FOR EVERY DESIGN THING I DO. (note that I wrote ONE day 
)
So business peeps out there, even if you aren’t a designer, I am sure you can clearly identify with these “so-called Favors” how did you kick the bad habit. I’m still trying to find a way.
Designer : Lunch Breath
Poster available for purchase: Here
Posted by: Kelly | Glamour This! official blog of Blushink with 6 comments
Ugh! I know exactly what you mean. It’s the same in photography; knowing when to charge and not charge is sometimes harder than it seems, especially when it’s family and friends, but we DO have to make a living!
It’s such a slippery slope, isn’t it? So many people WANT good design but don’t value it enough to offer you real money for it. It’s especially hard to say no to family and friends, but they should understand the importance of you making a LIVING off of your craft!! So frustrating!!
Great poster. We’ve all done the occasional graphic design favor for (extended) family members and friends-of-friends, and you’re right, it doesn’t seem fair. I like your motto at the end
I, too, will charge for every design thing I do. Some day … 
@Jess you are so right…. only now are people starting to understand the value of my pricing. But it took 7 years.
@Marija…. yup. SOME DAY
I think you should charge for everything now, you’re worth it – and just offer them a family/friend discount. I used to be exactly the same – I genuinely wanted to help people, but it was affecting my business income and I began to feel resentful as it became an expectation with many friends rather than a favour. People always value what they pay for more than what they don’t.
I find a good way to combat this is to set aside a certain amount of hours you can afford as a business per half year to contribute “free” jobs (for me, it’s 8 hours). I also have a document I email as soon as I’m asked to do this kind of work and explain that based on my income I have X amount of hours to offer, that this work is done in my personal weekend time when I have the time, and that I have a lot of requests and unfortunately can’t accommodate all of them or I would go out of business! The document does offer them a 10% discount – after all, if they owned say a shoe store they would probably give you a discount on the shoes, but you’d never ask for or expect them to give you stock for free – so why do they ask us to?
I often choose to give that time to charities or not for profit organisations that are meaningful to me instead. I truly believe if we always support friends/family with free work we are enabling them to eventually fail as they won’t ever learn to plan or budget for their business marketing. Continually operating this way is super risky on their part because they don’t have a true indication of success.
Wow… I’m stunned you could do that.