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I'm not used-to getting upset, but this pushed me over the edge. It starts somewhere in the middle here:
So, I start bitching to myself and making these changes - I still have no clue what he's talking about on other stuff 4 emails later, as well as what the hell he wants me to do with the "burlap bags." So I toss the owner an email:
“Place some flat burlap empty coffee bags on this portion of brick wall.” Back countertop? Please clarify where. After you reduce the soffit size there will be a slightly visible portion of wall above it (this is the extension of the same wall that the back counter is up against). We want this wall covered in brick with the burlap bags hung here, above the soffit on the wall.
“The casework stain NEEDS to match the color of the “Churchill” sample. The color you made the casework and furniture is more of a natural stain. We need it to match the sample provided down to the darkened seams and edges in the millwork.” I’ll try my best with the darkened seams. OK
“the chairs don’t really work.” You provided a photo with chairs in it – are they similar to the same ones that I had in prior which the customer commented on which you had me remove? Yes
Are these renderings going to be final then since it’s the 4th round? You mentioned the last round was and I ended up spending 5 extra hours rendering out higher quality images and post-processing because of that. It was our intention to have the 3rd round be the finals, but there were too many changes that needed to be made.
“The casework stain NEEDS to match the color of the “Churchill” sample. The color you made the casework and furniture is more of a natural stain. We need it to match the sample provided down to the darkened seams and edges in the millwork.” I’ll try my best with the darkened seams. OK
“the chairs don’t really work.” You provided a photo with chairs in it – are they similar to the same ones that I had in prior which the customer commented on which you had me remove? Yes
Are these renderings going to be final then since it’s the 4th round? You mentioned the last round was and I ended up spending 5 extra hours rendering out higher quality images and post-processing because of that. It was our intention to have the 3rd round be the finals, but there were too many changes that needed to be made.
I’m attaching the final renderings for your coffee shop project. I will not make any additional changes beyond what I have already provided without charging typical change rate of $100/hour as well as receiving prompt payment. This project as a whole has literally been a complete financial wash. Not only has it affected my other clients, but has also impacted my personal life (I cut my Christmas break early to come home while you guys took the week off, lost a lot of sleep, and worked some weekends.) In all, I’ve spent around 75 hours on this project total which works out to be $16/hour. Factor in 1/3 taxes and that is $11/hour – not including equipment, software, and other business expenses which would knock that down to $5/hour. That also does not include the impact it has had on other clients as well. This was a complete loss.
When you factor in those other projects, this one kicked those others to the curb and underneath the street.
Excuse me for my wording here – but I think it is well justified. If I didn’t bring this to your attention, you’d might not realize my level of frustration regarding the situation (and please, don’t take any of this personally as it’s not a personal attack.) I’m not trying to be “difficult” – but please understand that this project was a lot more work than originally expected. Any artist would have blown a nut, unless they were truly desperate – there would also be no doubt in my mind that they are using illegal software in order to provide those 5-finger discount rates.
I’m aware that this project has also gone well beyond your expectations as well. For future reference (whether you choose to continue to work with me or someone else), I really recommend that most of those plans and color schemes are all in order and sorted well before presentation to a 3D artist. Things really needed to be spelled out significantly better for this project – especially for the rate provided. While changes themselves may not be difficult, providing a quality rendering (the difference between a cartoon and something more realistic) is a very time-consuming process especially as a scene gets more complicated. Obviously, the more time and money you can spend – the better a project will turn out. In my situation, I’ve always been conscientious about trying to provide everyone I work with the best quality for the time and amount they are willing to spend – and often going beyond that because I have some level of pride and integrity in the work I produce.
If it is something you will change a lot down the road, a much faster, efficient, and cheaper solution would be to use something like Sketchup for preliminaries. With most architects and interior designers I work with – we often both use it to conceptualize prior to taking things to a photorealistic level. Then they might approach a professional 3d artist afterwards. This is generally my method of development.
You may assume that I am being “difficult.” The fact is that I work with some very high-end clients (not to brag or boast.) My point is, that I’ve worked with some of the best and it’s not easy to get that list – it’s because I know what I’m doing. And quite frankly, I’ve never encountered this amount of work including changes for such a low price. Nor have I ever had to write a letter like this. The point I’m trying to make is that I’m not just some typical artist who doesn’t know what they’re doing. There’s times I’ve communicated concern, and the flexibility didn’t seem to be there.
I think there needs to be some consideration moving forward that after all, this is still artwork and not a simple “push of the button.” If it was an actual physical painting, you wouldn’t ask for changes. In fact, I paint and painting is a lot easier. If you had someone paint your house, then decided you didn’t like the color afterwards – you wouldn’t expect the house painter to repaint it for free. There would have to be some level of recognition of any extra work involved as well as some reimbursement. I think I’ve been fairly accommodating here.
I’d have to say that most of the changes were not necessarily on my end, but a result of a lack of detailed and accurate information being provided which consumed the most time (even with the most recent round , I’m still left guessing 3 emails later.) When I originally mentioned that I was provided the wrong plans, I was told flat-out that I was wrong and basically got yelled at by Jim. Never mind my long-standing track record of reading plans with architects, engineers, and designers. Then the best part was that I was told to go hunt for the files through a maze myself online. It probably wasn’t the best way to approach me while I was packing – and it’s definitely not a good motivator. I wasn’t getting paid to do that research. But that sort of “employer to underling” mentality of dictating needs to stop.
In remembering that it is artwork, you’re never going to have it 100% perfect unless you’re willing dedicate that additional time and finances. Things can always be better and it doesn’t hurt to ask – but please try to recognize the time and expertise involved in getting something 100% perfect.
I’ve reread this email about 10x – and have deliberated deleting it. It’s been a very tough thing for me to have to write and weigh the consequences of such an action, especially in this economy. I just know that if I do delete it, that I’ll be asked to make even more changes and there will be little to no improvement over time whether it involves myself or other potential artists you may work with in the future.
Thanks for hearing me out,
-Charles
When you factor in those other projects, this one kicked those others to the curb and underneath the street.
Excuse me for my wording here – but I think it is well justified. If I didn’t bring this to your attention, you’d might not realize my level of frustration regarding the situation (and please, don’t take any of this personally as it’s not a personal attack.) I’m not trying to be “difficult” – but please understand that this project was a lot more work than originally expected. Any artist would have blown a nut, unless they were truly desperate – there would also be no doubt in my mind that they are using illegal software in order to provide those 5-finger discount rates.
I’m aware that this project has also gone well beyond your expectations as well. For future reference (whether you choose to continue to work with me or someone else), I really recommend that most of those plans and color schemes are all in order and sorted well before presentation to a 3D artist. Things really needed to be spelled out significantly better for this project – especially for the rate provided. While changes themselves may not be difficult, providing a quality rendering (the difference between a cartoon and something more realistic) is a very time-consuming process especially as a scene gets more complicated. Obviously, the more time and money you can spend – the better a project will turn out. In my situation, I’ve always been conscientious about trying to provide everyone I work with the best quality for the time and amount they are willing to spend – and often going beyond that because I have some level of pride and integrity in the work I produce.
If it is something you will change a lot down the road, a much faster, efficient, and cheaper solution would be to use something like Sketchup for preliminaries. With most architects and interior designers I work with – we often both use it to conceptualize prior to taking things to a photorealistic level. Then they might approach a professional 3d artist afterwards. This is generally my method of development.
You may assume that I am being “difficult.” The fact is that I work with some very high-end clients (not to brag or boast.) My point is, that I’ve worked with some of the best and it’s not easy to get that list – it’s because I know what I’m doing. And quite frankly, I’ve never encountered this amount of work including changes for such a low price. Nor have I ever had to write a letter like this. The point I’m trying to make is that I’m not just some typical artist who doesn’t know what they’re doing. There’s times I’ve communicated concern, and the flexibility didn’t seem to be there.
I think there needs to be some consideration moving forward that after all, this is still artwork and not a simple “push of the button.” If it was an actual physical painting, you wouldn’t ask for changes. In fact, I paint and painting is a lot easier. If you had someone paint your house, then decided you didn’t like the color afterwards – you wouldn’t expect the house painter to repaint it for free. There would have to be some level of recognition of any extra work involved as well as some reimbursement. I think I’ve been fairly accommodating here.
I’d have to say that most of the changes were not necessarily on my end, but a result of a lack of detailed and accurate information being provided which consumed the most time (even with the most recent round , I’m still left guessing 3 emails later.) When I originally mentioned that I was provided the wrong plans, I was told flat-out that I was wrong and basically got yelled at by Jim. Never mind my long-standing track record of reading plans with architects, engineers, and designers. Then the best part was that I was told to go hunt for the files through a maze myself online. It probably wasn’t the best way to approach me while I was packing – and it’s definitely not a good motivator. I wasn’t getting paid to do that research. But that sort of “employer to underling” mentality of dictating needs to stop.
In remembering that it is artwork, you’re never going to have it 100% perfect unless you’re willing dedicate that additional time and finances. Things can always be better and it doesn’t hurt to ask – but please try to recognize the time and expertise involved in getting something 100% perfect.
I’ve reread this email about 10x – and have deliberated deleting it. It’s been a very tough thing for me to have to write and weigh the consequences of such an action, especially in this economy. I just know that if I do delete it, that I’ll be asked to make even more changes and there will be little to no improvement over time whether it involves myself or other potential artists you may work with in the future.
Thanks for hearing me out,
-Charles
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