Would you pay for my graphic expertise?

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#1

I’m thinking about starting a new venture offering sets of 2d and 3d graphics, animations, and UI layout kits for indie developers that is affordable and will help the indie games stand out against the AAA titles that overload the app store.

Before I even begin to dive deeper into thinking about a potential time investment into such a venture I would like to know your opinion… Based on my recently released game in the app store (bit.ly/nightlingsgame) would you pay for graphics that I produce with regards to icons, characters, animations, backgrounds, UI screens, promo banners and screenshot displays, etc?

If so what is a reasonable price to ask developers such as yourself for these services?

I have a little over 11 years experience in the graphics, design, illustration industries with also experience in 2D/3D rendering and animation as a background.

I look forward to your thoughts. Thanks. [import]uid: 63800 topic_id: 24771 reply_id: 324771[/import]

#2

Well if I had the money i would pay to do my in game art but ive just started my own venture and have no money to give yet if you want work on project in return for shares this is something i’d happily do. It all looks very good to me. Just checked out the facebook page.

If your reliable and quick, thus saving your clients waiting time and money your do fine. Best of luck.

Go part time if u can. [import]uid: 118379 topic_id: 24771 reply_id: 100407[/import]

#3

Well I do this for a living anyhow, I just wanted to know if it would be worth it to set up a site that sold high quality graphic packages for games for cheap or reasonable prices. A package meaning character packs, backgrounds, game UI,animations etc. [import]uid: 63800 topic_id: 24771 reply_id: 100414[/import]

#4

durr, should have read more closely. If they were bespoke packages then it may be of interest. Would you just have a catalogue of images or do it to spec? If later then would be cool.
[import]uid: 118379 topic_id: 24771 reply_id: 100416[/import]

#5

My only concern with buying graphic packs, in particular with characters, is that if I buy them, what’s going to prevent the next person from buying them too, and now we have two apps with the same art.

Imagine if Sony and Nintindo both used the same blue hedgehog or squatty Italian plumbers.

Backgrounds and UI elements though are a bit more generic. Animal sets and such could be usable by multiple people and I wouldn’t want any graphic that key to my app to be in someone elses app.
[import]uid: 19626 topic_id: 24771 reply_id: 100421[/import]

#6

Well at first I wouldn’t have packages readily available for purchase but ideally I would create a large library of graphics, assets and kits that can be purchased by everyone or purchased as an exclusive license and then also over per spec work for comparable prices. At first it might have to be all to spec, I’d essentially create packages of graphics and animations in a lump. Those typically take anywhere from a week up to 3 weeks based on the complexity and number of assets requested. [import]uid: 63800 topic_id: 24771 reply_id: 100425[/import]

#7

@rob - that is understandable which is where exclusive licensing would work into the equation. I can also offer services to make adjustments to existing assets so they are unique to the user. But other than that it could be speced out…

BTW this isn’t a full thought out plan here, I’m just putting my feelers out and trying to see if it would be an accepted and viable solution to help the community of indie developers who might not have the graphic prowess to produce a great looking game but have the coding chops to do so.
[import]uid: 63800 topic_id: 24771 reply_id: 100426[/import]

#8

I share Rob’s thoughts too. I wouldn’t want to see my graphics in another game. I remember seeing the little characters in that game walkabout in a couple different games. Made me think, did this dev steal the characters from walkabout? Is what you’re trying to do similar to http://www.graphic-buffet.com ?
I’m sure there’s a market for graphic packs though.

By the way, I like your graphics in your game. I’ve gotten quotes from artists that weren’t even as good. I found that many artists don’t like to put an hourly charge on their work but would rather see the entire scope of your project first then give you a final price. [import]uid: 31262 topic_id: 24771 reply_id: 100430[/import]

#9

@30 Below, you guys do raise a very good point! Enough to make me rethink the idea (which is why I posted to the forum before setting sail ;))… Graphic buffet would be on the low-end of what I’m thinking of in terms of quality and also I’d focus strictly on game assets… Perhaps I could go on the more custom design route.

As I said I do this for a living on a more commercial scale but I wanted to start offering the services to indie developers who do not have the design chops but want amazing looking graphics & animations. I’d do essentially what I do for every other commercial client and offer a package deal for a bulk set of graphics and animations that are all high quality.

Reg. Pricing… from my experience people hate the open-ended “hourly rate” thing… What I do is take my hourly rate (for indie devs much cheaper than my commercial rate) and based on the requested assets and how long it will take to produce them that would be the fee.

As I said, not sure if this would be accepted, viable solution for indie devs, I know that there is a market in the commercial realm but thought I’d put some feelers out.

Thanks for your feedback folks. [import]uid: 63800 topic_id: 24771 reply_id: 100431[/import]

#10

Walkabout - I remember that fiasco. I’ve seen those gfx in a few games. That is exactly the reason why I don’t deal with graphics packs for characters. I use them for interfaces though, as long as the source files are there for me to alter. I normally buy things that I think have “potential” and then re work them by just using the frame so to speak.

Exclusivity is a hard area to maintain. Even if you do get exclusivity on assets, you can never really enforce it unless for some reason another app got a lot of attention and you saw it and said “HEY GTFO YOU VIOLATED ME!”. So many apps, pretty easy to slip on by :slight_smile:

I for one have *some* art background, but not nowhere near the caliber of real artists. I’m awesome at manipulating shapes into something, but can’t free draw worth a damn lol.

With all that said, I would still be interested. I guess it would depend on a game idea, and then getting the idea hashed out with sample work and figuring out if that’s a direction a person wants to go.

I have no idea really though, I started this whole game thing back in June 2011 (no coding experience at all either before that) and I still work a full time job haha.

-Nick [import]uid: 61600 topic_id: 24771 reply_id: 100439[/import]

#11

It would be difficult to make this business model work successfully.
There are reasons that rob and 30below specified, in a buyer’s point of view. Then there is the seller’s point of view.

Graphical elements are now an important part of gaming experience and using stock images will turn many people off. Even if you manage to create high-end images which take a long time, this means you spent tens or hundreds of hours creating them and need to justify your time spent by selling copies. More time you spend, more copies you need to sell. More you sell, less unique your products are.

I much prefer custom jobs as this guarantees that you will be properly compensated for your work. [import]uid: 39031 topic_id: 24771 reply_id: 100442[/import]

#12

Very valid points everyone! Thank you for the clarity. I guess my next questions is what would be reasonable to ask from indie developers. Everyone has their budget and while I can demand $5,000+ for commercial entities for graphics I obviously can’t ask the same from indie developers.

Thanks again. [import]uid: 63800 topic_id: 24771 reply_id: 100445[/import]

#13

I am afraid that’s a question that has been asked for ages without a clear-cut answer.
It depends on:

Work quality - obviously, higher quality than competitions, more you can charge

Location - if you live in a place where $10 will get you a breakfast, lunch & dinner then you can charge less. If it only gets you a latte, you need to charge more. I’ve seen people charge $10/hr for design work. I charge at least $60/hr for my design work because where I live, $10 will only get you a latte and a scone. Why do you think the U.S. is losing work to China and India?

Experience - longer you’ve been in business, higher price IF you can back it up (client reviews)

Honestly, the best way is to negotiate with a potential client.
Don’t publish any set rates but DO publish your best work and ask them to contact you. Ask what the budget and requirements are then work with the client to make them fit. If you explain and justify why you charge so and so, most will understand.

Getting business by undercutting competitions in price may get you business initially but you will regret in the end.

Oh, and clients who nickel and dime are always bad news. Run away as fast as you can. [import]uid: 39031 topic_id: 24771 reply_id: 100581[/import]

#14

When I was first looking for an artist, I honestly had no idea how much work it was. I severely underestimated the costs. I would ask for a budget and try to work around that. Explain your work with as much detail as you can and if you are working with an indie keep in mind that they may not know the work involved and that you aren’t just selling your doodles.

I went with an experienced artist and I paid for it with tears in my eyes, but I don’t regret it at all. When I look back at the lower priced options I can’t believe I even considered them.

Edit: I’m not saying you have to be priced higher. Many indies just can’t afford an artist which in turn hurts their sales due to their art. It’s a catch 22. Price fairly. [import]uid: 31262 topic_id: 24771 reply_id: 100585[/import]

#15

As someone who was in advertising for more than 10 years, I’ve worked with a fair amount of illustrators etc. I’d say based on your Nightling’s game your art is great.

I’d consider commissioning you on a per project basis, I wouldn’t necessarily buy any art packs though.

So my answer in that respect would be a yes, specifically for character design & illustration I think. [import]uid: 134089 topic_id: 24771 reply_id: 103965[/import]

#16

Hi Shizapp,

Custom icon graphic design is certainly better than package which anyone could have bought the same package.

I see that there’s quite a bit of app templates developers are selling. Your package can be of one that redesign all the icons/graphics in the template.

This allows beginning developer to quickly deploy apps.

But of course, it all boils down to the price you’re charging. For indie it got to be reasonably affordable. If it is, please give me a beep and I could outsource to you :slight_smile:

Best Regards,
William [import]uid: 137310 topic_id: 24771 reply_id: 110055[/import]