Henar

"It couldn't have taken you more than 10 minutes to design that"...

Thursday, 4. June 2009, 17:37:01

client, thinking, design, quote, diseño, arte, art, cliente, picasso, pensamiento

I hate it when clients look at a logo, painting or any other form of art a designer created and not very delicately say: "It couldn't have taken you more than 10 minutes to design that"... or "Even a child could have done that". Here´s a story for all of them...

Legend has it that Pablo Picasso was sketching in the park when a woman approached him.

“It’s you — Picasso, the great artist! Oh, you must sketch my portrait! I insist.”

So Picasso agreed to sketch her. After studying her for a moment, he used a single pencil stroke to create her portrait. He handed the woman his work of art.

“It’s perfect!” she gushed. “You managed to capture my essence with one stroke, in one moment. Thank you! How much do I owe you?”

“Five thousand dollars,” the artist replied.

“B-b-but, what?” the woman sputtered. “How could you want so much money for this picture? It only took you a second to draw it!”

To which Picasso responded, “Madame, it took me my entire life.”

My PORTFOLIOBeautiful video.

Comments

PainterWoman # 4. June 2009, 18:10

Great story.

Have encountered similar things like this. I was asked to paint six, five foot tall flowers in a young girls bedroom. Then also was asked for a few little faeries to be painted as well. In her next breath, the client said she didn't want to pay over $200. I had been quickly calculating in my head that the different colors of paint required for it would have been at least $50 or more, gas & travel time $25 at least. I stopped calculating and didn't even give her a quote when I heard that was all she wanted to pay. These people lived in a two story house with four bedrooms, 3 baths, and three new vehicles out front. Sure, I needed the money but I won't be taken advantage of.

Another time I quoted $600 to a woman who wanted me to fix her mural that she started on her block wall and add a black panther, monkeys and several other animals. The mural was on a 6 foot x 12 foot section. Her mouth dropped open in shock and she said she could get someone else for $200. She never did.

This kind of stuff really makes me mad. That's why I no longer give quotes or do commissions.

claudeb # 4. June 2009, 18:30

My canned answer to this specific type of insult is "Oh yeah? Even a child can do it? Then why don't you try." It's funny to watch their reactions to that. See, they usually know perfectly well that your work is actually worth the money you ask. They just hope to get it cheaper. So stand your ground, they'll either accept your price after all or drop the whole idea. Either way, your work won't be abused.

P.S. I'm not an artist, I'm a programmer. But customer relationships work mostly the same...

andreabianco # 5. June 2009, 11:39

I sadly know about such client reactions. If you listen to them, it always look like there is someone that can do that site or that illustration for 1/3 of what you ask. My answer is always the same : I kindly say to go and get it done by "the others". Sometimes I lost a job, sometimes I did not. I never ask more than what I think my job is worth and since I am that honest, there is no way I can accept a client to play with me and my professionality.

And concerning the "it couldn't have taken you more than 10 minutes to design that", I usually pay no attention to the words of someone that knows nothing about what I am doing. Beside that, it is possible to create art and amazing things in 10 minutes too.. is it a crime? It's all about being able of doing things and doing them good, not about the time

Aleksander # 8. June 2009, 13:42

The thing I've never understood is how they don't see the logical mistake in their own statements. If it could not have taken more than 10 min or a kid could have done it, why didn't they do it..

Henar # 15. June 2009, 10:45

Pam, the stories you talk about...wow! No wonder you were mad at those people!!!! It´s not fair!

Felix, it´s true this is not just a designer / artist´s problem, but usually clients don´t know so much about programming or technical computer problems, but it seems "everyone" can give their opinion when we talk about art.
I usually give my professional opinion to the client and I recomend the best design solution, but if they decide they want it their way, then it´s their problem.

Andrea, it´s true that it´s a matter of being honest and knowing how much your work costs.

Good point, Aleksander!

FIFINELEB # 30. June 2009, 20:29

She made a good deal. A Picasso for only $ 5,000 . Saludos,Henar.

Henar # 3. July 2009, 05:52

Indeed, it´s a GREAT deal!!!!!!

Saludos!!!

pfelelep # 11. October 2009, 12:40

I sure like this story! \o/

Henar # 14. October 2009, 09:00

Thanks, Pfelelep!

demiphonic # 6. November 2009, 15:33

Client: "It couldn't have taken you more than 10 minutes to design that."

Artist: "Really?... I have 10 minutes.. I'd love to see you try. Do you need a pencil?"