You Charge What? Really?

As with every designer, I get asked what I charge per project. Well, as most other designers would agree, "it all depends". And by that, I mean there is much more that goes into a quote than how long it will take. But sometimes, it is just amazing to see how much some folks charge for design and we work. Some charge disproportionately on both ends of the spectrum. Which are you?

What I'm Talking About
Come on. You know what you're worth as a designer. If you are just starting out, don't charge like a professional. If you are a top professional, don't charge like a beginner. And if you're like me, somewhere in the middle, you charge just that. Somewhere in the middle.

Your Work Isn't Worth That Much
When I first started doing design, I read a "how to freelance" book by a chap that had been doing web design for many years. I found that he wasn't exceptionally great at design after I looked up his latest portfolio work. Wait, back up. It's not that he wasn't good, it is just that his design skills were stuck in the early 90s era, where pure HTML sites were top dog, with very minimal graphics or interaction. And what I learned, is that he charged way too much for his work. I'm not saying that he wasn't worth it, provided that he was putting together real money-maker websites for his clients. I'm just saying, that for a purely static site with very minimal graphic design, he was receiving an obscene amount of cash. Are you charging too much?

Your Work Is Worth More Than That

But by that same rationale, I've seen some phenomenal sites and graphics, in which the client payed a fifth of what it was worth. It happens. I know that sometimes you just have to work, no matter what the price. You've got to eat and pay the bills. But, take an honest look at what you do. If you know you're worth more than what is counter offered, simply refuse the work. You must set the precedent of what you are worth. I've learned that the hard way, and been stuck working on low paying projects for way too long. But, if you do work for cheap, ALWAYS put out the best work you can.

What I'm Saying

If you've seen my work, you know it isn't the best out there. But it certainly isn't the worst either. And that is why I charge a proportional amount for my work. But, when work is dry, I must take what I can get, and will work for less than my work is worth. However, if I'm "sitting pretty", I'll turn down work if my quote price is not met. And on the opposite end, I won't quote someone at an unnecessarily exorbitant amount because I know they can get the same thing from a top designer. And you should as well...