My Artistic Service
For any questions, please send me an email ([email protected]).
Statement on General Principles and Policies
Professionalism
I strictly respect the ethical values of the general public regarding good aesthetic tastes and visual decency; and regarding professional standards and ethics, I draw reference from the guiding principles explained in the Graphic Artists Guild (GAG) Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines. I formulate my own rules based on my interpretation of the ethical values of the general public, and of the Pricing and Ethical Guidelines of the GAG (please refer to the Statement of Professional Standards & Ethics for more details).
Protection of Intellectual Property Rights and of Confidential Information
I strictly protect the proprietary information and intellectual property rights of the employers, clients and any party concerned against any illegal attempt of infringement, by domestic or foreign parties, treating privileged information of the employers or clients with discretion and confidentiality, and remain loyal to the best interests of the employers or clients and the general public, present and future, within the boundaries of laws and ethics.
High Quality Products or Services for Reasonable Prices or Service Fees at Published Schedule for All Clients
I offer high quality artistic products or services to clients, business and civic organizations, for reasonably prices or service fees, based on times and efforts spent on the projects plus applicable material, equipment and travel costs, competitive market values or professional service rates established by trade organizations, with general discounts applicable to all clients, and special discounts for selected individuals and organizations.
For completed 2D artworks (paintings, drawings, illustrations, cartoons) hand-made with traditional tools and ready for sale:
The original copy will be sold at a price that equals the number of hours spent multiplied by three times of the Minimum Wage in Los Angeles (currently $15/hour), or the one proposed by the Bank or America (to be $25/hour), or the AFL-CIO, whichever is the most reasonable based of the cost of living in Los Angeles, plus applicable cost of materials. For example, a piece of oil painting took 24 hours to complete, and the material (oil tubes) and canvas cost $50, and the most reasonable minimum wage is $25/hr proposed is from Bank of America (as reported on China Press, page B06, June 6-June 8, 2022), then the price of the painting = 24 hr x ($25/hr x 3) + $50 = $1,850
In addition to the “original copy,” the artist could sell from 100 up to 500 “Limited Edition Printed Copies Signed by Artist” for $50 or $100 each plus production cost (for printing and laminating, etc.).
The “copyright” can be purchased separately at five times the price of the original copy. For the above piece of oil painting, the full copyright will be sold at $1,850 x 5 = $9,250. The “full copyright” here means the copyright owner has the exclusive right to duplicate the artwork for commercial profit, but the artist still has the right to claim authorship.
Client can purchase “unlimited licensing right” from the artist at 2 times the price of the original copy ($1,850 x 2 = $3,700), for printing unlimited copies of the original on any material or for using the image of the oil painting online. The artist shall still own the copyright.
Client can purchase “limited licensing right for one time use” of the image, for printing limited numbers of copies of the original, for commercial profit, depending on the number of copies to be made, the “limited licensing fee” will be sold at 10% to 70% of the price of the original copy. For example, the price for the “limited licensing right for one time use” of the above oil painting could range from $1,850 x 10% = $185 to $1,850 x 70% = $1,295. The exact % shall be determined by the artist based on his sole personal discretion.
For commissioned 2D artworks (paintings, drawings, illustrations, cartoons) hand-made with traditional tools or digitally created:
Similar hourly rate will be applied; a $1,000 to $1,500 “Initial Proposal Fee” will be charged for the creation of 3 hand-drawn or digitally generated “initial sketches;” the client will choose one for final execution of the artwork; and in the service contract, a range of labor cost from the starting amount to the maximum amount, as well as a range of estimated material and/or equipment cost, based on the artist’s educated estimate, will be proposed. For example, if a client wants a mural, the artist will first collect $1,000 to $1,500 to come up with 3 “initial sketches;” then the client will choose one; the artist estimates that it will take 100 hours to complete the mural, cost for paint, brushes and other consumables will cost up to $500, renting a crane for 10 days to paint the top portion of the mural will cost $1,000, then the proposed range is
Initial Proposal Fee: $1,000
Maximum labor cost: 100 hr x ($25/hr x 3) = $7,500
Maximum material cost: $500
Crane rental: $1,000
Total maximum fee: $1,000 + $7,500 + $500 + $1,000 = $10,000
If, at the end of the project, the artist saves $200 on materials and $100 on crane rental, then, the total cost for creating the mural will be $9,700:
$10,000 - $200 -$100 = $9,700
I strictly respect the ethical values of the general public regarding good aesthetic tastes and visual decency; and regarding professional standards and ethics, I draw reference from the guiding principles explained in the Graphic Artists Guild (GAG) Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines. I formulate my own rules based on my interpretation of the ethical values of the general public, and of the Pricing and Ethical Guidelines of the GAG (please refer to the Statement of Professional Standards & Ethics for more details).
Protection of Intellectual Property Rights and of Confidential Information
I strictly protect the proprietary information and intellectual property rights of the employers, clients and any party concerned against any illegal attempt of infringement, by domestic or foreign parties, treating privileged information of the employers or clients with discretion and confidentiality, and remain loyal to the best interests of the employers or clients and the general public, present and future, within the boundaries of laws and ethics.
High Quality Products or Services for Reasonable Prices or Service Fees at Published Schedule for All Clients
I offer high quality artistic products or services to clients, business and civic organizations, for reasonably prices or service fees, based on times and efforts spent on the projects plus applicable material, equipment and travel costs, competitive market values or professional service rates established by trade organizations, with general discounts applicable to all clients, and special discounts for selected individuals and organizations.
For completed 2D artworks (paintings, drawings, illustrations, cartoons) hand-made with traditional tools and ready for sale:
The original copy will be sold at a price that equals the number of hours spent multiplied by three times of the Minimum Wage in Los Angeles (currently $15/hour), or the one proposed by the Bank or America (to be $25/hour), or the AFL-CIO, whichever is the most reasonable based of the cost of living in Los Angeles, plus applicable cost of materials. For example, a piece of oil painting took 24 hours to complete, and the material (oil tubes) and canvas cost $50, and the most reasonable minimum wage is $25/hr proposed is from Bank of America (as reported on China Press, page B06, June 6-June 8, 2022), then the price of the painting = 24 hr x ($25/hr x 3) + $50 = $1,850
In addition to the “original copy,” the artist could sell from 100 up to 500 “Limited Edition Printed Copies Signed by Artist” for $50 or $100 each plus production cost (for printing and laminating, etc.).
The “copyright” can be purchased separately at five times the price of the original copy. For the above piece of oil painting, the full copyright will be sold at $1,850 x 5 = $9,250. The “full copyright” here means the copyright owner has the exclusive right to duplicate the artwork for commercial profit, but the artist still has the right to claim authorship.
Client can purchase “unlimited licensing right” from the artist at 2 times the price of the original copy ($1,850 x 2 = $3,700), for printing unlimited copies of the original on any material or for using the image of the oil painting online. The artist shall still own the copyright.
Client can purchase “limited licensing right for one time use” of the image, for printing limited numbers of copies of the original, for commercial profit, depending on the number of copies to be made, the “limited licensing fee” will be sold at 10% to 70% of the price of the original copy. For example, the price for the “limited licensing right for one time use” of the above oil painting could range from $1,850 x 10% = $185 to $1,850 x 70% = $1,295. The exact % shall be determined by the artist based on his sole personal discretion.
For commissioned 2D artworks (paintings, drawings, illustrations, cartoons) hand-made with traditional tools or digitally created:
Similar hourly rate will be applied; a $1,000 to $1,500 “Initial Proposal Fee” will be charged for the creation of 3 hand-drawn or digitally generated “initial sketches;” the client will choose one for final execution of the artwork; and in the service contract, a range of labor cost from the starting amount to the maximum amount, as well as a range of estimated material and/or equipment cost, based on the artist’s educated estimate, will be proposed. For example, if a client wants a mural, the artist will first collect $1,000 to $1,500 to come up with 3 “initial sketches;” then the client will choose one; the artist estimates that it will take 100 hours to complete the mural, cost for paint, brushes and other consumables will cost up to $500, renting a crane for 10 days to paint the top portion of the mural will cost $1,000, then the proposed range is
Initial Proposal Fee: $1,000
Maximum labor cost: 100 hr x ($25/hr x 3) = $7,500
Maximum material cost: $500
Crane rental: $1,000
Total maximum fee: $1,000 + $7,500 + $500 + $1,000 = $10,000
If, at the end of the project, the artist saves $200 on materials and $100 on crane rental, then, the total cost for creating the mural will be $9,700:
$10,000 - $200 -$100 = $9,700
Service Fee and Discount Policies
Determination of Service Fee
Service fee for artistic creation draws reference from (1) the above-mentioned Minimum Wage in Los Angeles and the living minimum wage proposed by Bank of America or AFL-CIO, (2) data on yearly earnings of professionals from the fields of creative arts and design from the United States Department of Labor statistics, and (3) rates proposed by Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines, 15th Edition, ISBN 978-1507206683.
General and Special Discounts
General Discounts apply to all clients and are based on the total price of one-time purchase, and on yearly accumulated total price. For one-time purchase exceeding $3,000, a volume discount of 5% for the amount above $3,000 will be granted. For example, a client purchases 3 paintings for the total price of $12,000, the volume discount will be
5% discount above $3,000: ($12,000 - $3,000) x 5% = $450 off
The final price: $12,000 - $450 = $11,550
Discount on Yearly Accumulated Price:
Additional 10% discount for the amount exceeding $30,000/year. For example, a client’s total yearly purchasing price is $40,000/year after receiving all one-time purchase volume discounts for several purchases, the client will receive an additional 10% discount from the Yearly Accumulated Price:
($40,000 - $30,000) x 10% = $1,000
Therefore, the final total yearly price will be $40,000 - $1,000 = $39.000
Special Discounts are based on the status of the client being senior citizen, veteran or educator, status of non-profit organization working on worthy causes of charity, social justice and environmental protection, or status of start-up enterprises belonging to socially disadvantaged and marginalized racial or ethnic groups, and range from 5% to 10%, in addition to the benefits under the category of General Discounts, and whether or not to grant such Special Discount, as well as the amount to be granted, will be based solely on the artist’s personal discretion, following the principle of Affirmative Action.
Service fee for artistic creation draws reference from (1) the above-mentioned Minimum Wage in Los Angeles and the living minimum wage proposed by Bank of America or AFL-CIO, (2) data on yearly earnings of professionals from the fields of creative arts and design from the United States Department of Labor statistics, and (3) rates proposed by Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines, 15th Edition, ISBN 978-1507206683.
General and Special Discounts
General Discounts apply to all clients and are based on the total price of one-time purchase, and on yearly accumulated total price. For one-time purchase exceeding $3,000, a volume discount of 5% for the amount above $3,000 will be granted. For example, a client purchases 3 paintings for the total price of $12,000, the volume discount will be
5% discount above $3,000: ($12,000 - $3,000) x 5% = $450 off
The final price: $12,000 - $450 = $11,550
Discount on Yearly Accumulated Price:
Additional 10% discount for the amount exceeding $30,000/year. For example, a client’s total yearly purchasing price is $40,000/year after receiving all one-time purchase volume discounts for several purchases, the client will receive an additional 10% discount from the Yearly Accumulated Price:
($40,000 - $30,000) x 10% = $1,000
Therefore, the final total yearly price will be $40,000 - $1,000 = $39.000
Special Discounts are based on the status of the client being senior citizen, veteran or educator, status of non-profit organization working on worthy causes of charity, social justice and environmental protection, or status of start-up enterprises belonging to socially disadvantaged and marginalized racial or ethnic groups, and range from 5% to 10%, in addition to the benefits under the category of General Discounts, and whether or not to grant such Special Discount, as well as the amount to be granted, will be based solely on the artist’s personal discretion, following the principle of Affirmative Action.
Client/Employer Referral Fee & Bonus Fee Plan
Client Referral Fee:
I am recruiting sale people to help marketing my professional services. For any salesman/woman having successfully established a new client account for me, he or se will receive 10% of Referral Fee out of my total service fee charged to the client for the first year starting from the date the first project is paid with an initial deposit, 5% for the second year, and 2.5% for the third year. In addition, for any year, if the total amount of service fee I receive from all accounts established by any salesman/woman during all previous and current year exceeds $10,000, he or she will receive another 10% Bonus Fee out of the total amount of service fee I receive in the whole year (ending at December 30 of the year). All salespeople will receive a free 3 hour training. Qualifications for the sales position: (1) graduation from high school (current enrolled in a business administration program at an accredited college preferred), (2) access to owners of businesses or knowledge and skills of locating them, and (3) a willingness of becoming an entrepreneur in the near future.
Employment Referral Fee:
For any person or employment agency referring me to a hiring manager in any institution resulting in the offer of a full-time or regular part-time employment, I will pay 10% of my Adjusted Gross Income for the first year. In addition, if the full-time or part-time employment is terminated but the employer establishes a service provider-client account with me, the person or agency will receive the same New Client Referral Fee, starting from the date the first project, contracted after the termination of full-time or part-time employment, is paid with an initial deposit (10% of Referral Fee out of my total service fee charged to the client/former employer for the first year, 5% for the second year, and 2.5% for the third year). In addition, for any year, if the total amount of service fee I receive from the account exceeds $10,000, the person or employment agency will receive another 10% Bonus Fee out of the total amount of service fee I receive in the whole year (ending at December 30 of the year).
I am recruiting sale people to help marketing my professional services. For any salesman/woman having successfully established a new client account for me, he or se will receive 10% of Referral Fee out of my total service fee charged to the client for the first year starting from the date the first project is paid with an initial deposit, 5% for the second year, and 2.5% for the third year. In addition, for any year, if the total amount of service fee I receive from all accounts established by any salesman/woman during all previous and current year exceeds $10,000, he or she will receive another 10% Bonus Fee out of the total amount of service fee I receive in the whole year (ending at December 30 of the year). All salespeople will receive a free 3 hour training. Qualifications for the sales position: (1) graduation from high school (current enrolled in a business administration program at an accredited college preferred), (2) access to owners of businesses or knowledge and skills of locating them, and (3) a willingness of becoming an entrepreneur in the near future.
Employment Referral Fee:
For any person or employment agency referring me to a hiring manager in any institution resulting in the offer of a full-time or regular part-time employment, I will pay 10% of my Adjusted Gross Income for the first year. In addition, if the full-time or part-time employment is terminated but the employer establishes a service provider-client account with me, the person or agency will receive the same New Client Referral Fee, starting from the date the first project, contracted after the termination of full-time or part-time employment, is paid with an initial deposit (10% of Referral Fee out of my total service fee charged to the client/former employer for the first year, 5% for the second year, and 2.5% for the third year). In addition, for any year, if the total amount of service fee I receive from the account exceeds $10,000, the person or employment agency will receive another 10% Bonus Fee out of the total amount of service fee I receive in the whole year (ending at December 30 of the year).
Return and Refund Policies
Geographical limitation:
All sales to out-of-State addresses (outside of California) are final.
Return and refund:
Return of artworks must be done in person in the City of Monterey Park, from a client residing in California, within 30 days from the date of purchase, in good conditions; if the artwork is damaged but is repairable and resalable, then a reasonable repair fee not to exceed 50% of the original final purchasing price will be charged. A 15% restocking fee will be charged based on the final purchasing price.
Reproduction of damaged artwork:
If the artwork is damaged beyond repair, but the client wants the artist to make a duplicate, then the duplicating price will be 80% of the original purchasing price before discount(s) were applied. The artist will do the best to match the style of duplicate to the original's as much as possible, but not 100%.
Intellectual property right:
No return or refund will be offered for the purchase of copyright or licensing right.
All sales to out-of-State addresses (outside of California) are final.
Return and refund:
Return of artworks must be done in person in the City of Monterey Park, from a client residing in California, within 30 days from the date of purchase, in good conditions; if the artwork is damaged but is repairable and resalable, then a reasonable repair fee not to exceed 50% of the original final purchasing price will be charged. A 15% restocking fee will be charged based on the final purchasing price.
Reproduction of damaged artwork:
If the artwork is damaged beyond repair, but the client wants the artist to make a duplicate, then the duplicating price will be 80% of the original purchasing price before discount(s) were applied. The artist will do the best to match the style of duplicate to the original's as much as possible, but not 100%.
Intellectual property right:
No return or refund will be offered for the purchase of copyright or licensing right.
Basis for Service Compensations
My expectation for compensation for my artistic service is based on dada published by the United States Department of Labor, i. e., the May 2017 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates. However, based on the size and ability of the companies or clients, the satus of employment (full-time or part-time), the relations between myself and my clients (long-term or short-term), the expected amount of salary or service fee hourly rates could be adjusted; and long-term clients could enjoy end-of-the-year rebates based on the amount of service ordered. According to the above-mentioned United States Department of Labor statistics, as listed under the category of 27-0000 Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations (Major Group), as shown in the figure below, the Anual Mean Wage for all art occupation that I qualify (except Art Directors) ranges from $50,900/year to $72,270/year; the Median Hourly Wage for all art occupations (including Art Directors) ranges from $20.48/hour to $39.90/hour; and the Mean Hourly Wage for all art occupations (including Art Directors) ranges from $24.47/hour to $46.46/hour.
Other factors are considered in determining service fees. According to Graphic Artist Guild Pricing and Ethical Guidelines (2001), artists could charge the clients for professional service based on a per-diem (per day) rate. “Estimating an appropriate per-diem rate is to first total all direct and indirect business costs, adding in a reasonable salary. Divide this total by 230 annual business days (52 weeks minus six weeks’ vacation, holidays, and sick time). Then add to this figure a reasonable profit margin, which has historically ranged from 10% to 15%.” (pp. 108-109). This “business cost” here includes annual rent, utilities, insurance, employees’ salary and benefits, advertising and promotion, outside professional services, equipment, transportation, office and art supplies, business taxes, entertainment, and other business expenses (actual figure in the Schedule C for the United States Internal Revenue Service Form 1040). For hourly rate, Graphic Artist Guild Pricing and Ethical Guidelines (pp. 109-110) suggests to first total all direct and indirect business costs, adding in a reasonable salary, and then divide this total by (1) 900 to 1,350 hours (the total number of 1,680 hours per year, based on 52 weeks minus 6weeks’ vacation, holidays and sick time, minus 20% to 40% less due to time spent on such non-billable work as writing proposals, billing and self-promotion) for self-employed graphic artist; or by (2) design firm working strictly on contract (no non-billable expenses). “Recent surveys indicate that design firms usually have at least two hourly rates: one for principals and one for employees. The difference is related to salary level. For example, in the graphic design field, the hourly rate is, on average, $150 to $250 and for studio staff $50 to $100.” (p. 110). In addition to the above service fees, the clients also need to pay for additional, separate cost for the completion of the design projects, such as material cost, model fees, prop rental, research time, production or printing in the service bureau, purchase of special font or software to meet the special requirement of the client, shipping, and travel expenses. “These expenses, even as estimates, are generally agreed upon and set down in the original agreement. Often a maximum amount is itemized beyond which a designer may not incur costs without the client’s authorization.” (p. 111). “When graphic artists are required to advance sums on behalf of the client, survey show that it is customary to charge a markup as a percentage of the expense to cover overhead and provide adequate cash flow. […] Current data indicate that markups are in the range of 15 to 25 percent, with 16.85 percent the average.” (p. 111). As quoted from the figures provided by the American Institute of Graphic Arts, the Mediian Hourly Freelance Rates table (p. 166) list the following figures:
The above figures are for the year 2001. Right now, we are in the year 2014, reasonable adjustment due to cost-of-living increase and inflation should lead to an additional $5 for each category.
Based on the above, with adjustments made due to California's high living cost (in particular, in terms of high housing cost), as well as the needs to receive additional professional training, to pay for software program upgrades, and to purchase books and professional magazines, my hourly rates are explained as follows:
Calculation for Per-Diem Rates and Hourly Rates
(Using the Per-Diem Rate Formula, p. 109, and the Total Direct/Indirect Business Costs Per Hour Formula, p. 110, of the Graphic Artists Guild Handbook of Pricing & Ethical Guidelines, 2001 Edition)
Annual rent/utilities: $6,000/year
Business licence/inspection fees/taxes: $500/year (home based business)
Office/art supplies: $500/year
Computer hardware purchase/maintenance/equipment depreciation: $1,500/year
Computer software purchase/upgrades: $1,500/year
Advertizing/promotion: $1,500/year
Phone/Internet service: $600/year
Transportation: $1,000/year (public transportation)
Professional membership/training/entertaiment: $1,500/year
External consultation: $1,500/year
Business cost sub-total: $16,100/year
Per-Diem Rate for producing artworks for clients with the client as art director
(The client supplies detailed design concepts and relevant digital images and text)
Business cost sub-total: $16,100/year
Add a reasonable salary: $45,000/year
TotaL: $61,100/year
Divide by 230 working business days per year: $266/day
Add a reasonable profit margin (12%): $31.9/day
Per-Diem Rate: $300/day (8 hours to 10 hours, one-day or $300 minimum)
Discounted Rate possible depending on the scope of the project. End-of-Year Rebate possible based on the amount of service ordered. For qualified clients, up to 30% of service fee could be used to purchase goods or services at a 10% discount from the client.
Hourly Rate for producing artworks for clients with the client as art director
(The client supplies detailed design concepts and relevant digital images and text)
Business cost sub-total: $16,100/year
Add a reasonable salary: $45,000/year
TotaL: $61,100/year
Divide by 1,680 working hours per year: $36.37/hour
Add a reasonable profit margin (12%): $4.36/hour
Hourly Rate: $40/hour (3 hours or $120 minimum)
Discounted Rate possible depending on the scope of the project. End-of-Year Rebate possible based on the amount of service ordered. For qualified clients, up to 30% of service fee could be used to purchase goods or services at a 10% discount from the client.
Per-Diem Rate for producing artworks for clients with myself as art director
(The client supplies general objectives of the design project and relevant text; I develop detailed design concepts and provide images)
Business cost sub-total: $16,100/year
Add a reasonable salary: $70,000/year
TotaL: $86,100/year
Divide by 230 working business days per year: $374/day
Add a reasonable profit margin (12%): $44.9/day
Per-Diem Rate: $400/day (8 hours to 10 hours, two-days or $800 minimum)
Discounted Rate possible depending on the scope of the project. End-of-Year Rebate possible based on the amount of service ordered. For qualified clients, up to 30% of service fee could be used to purchase goods or services at a 10% discount from the client.
Per-Diem Rate for producing artworks for clients with myself as art director
(The client supplies general objectives of the design project and relevant text; I develop detailed design concepts and provide images)
Business cost sub-total: $16,100/year
Add a reasonable salary: $70,000/year
TotaL: $86,100/year
Divide by 230 working business days per year: $374/day
Add a reasonable profit margin (12%): $44.9/day
Per-Diem Rate: $400/day (8 hours to 10 hours, two-days or $800 minimum)
Discounted Rate possible depending on the scope of the project. End-of-Year Rebate possible based on the amount of service ordered. For qualified clients, up to 30% of service fee could be used to purchase goods or services at a 10% discount from the client.
Hourly Rate for producing graphic design artworks for clients with myself as art director
(The client supplies general objectives of the design project and relevant text; I develop detailed design concepts and provide images)
Business cost sub-total: $16,100/year
Add a reasonable salary: $70,000/year
TotaL: $86,100/year
Divide by 1,680 working hours per year: $51.25/hour
Add a reasonable profit margin (12%): N/A
Hourly Rate: $50/hour (4 hours or $200 minimum)
Discounted Rate possible depending on the scope of the project. End-of-Year Rebate possible based on the amount of service ordered. For qualified clients, up to 30% of service fee could be used to purchase goods or services at a 10% discount from the client.
For the above "free-lance" or contract-based services, there is a 5% to 10% end-of-year rebate for the total amount of service fee for the entire year (starting from the first day the service is ordered) of $15,000 and above. The "free-lance" or contract-based service is considered as "work-for-hire," however, I retain (1) the right to claim credit and (2) the right to publish the work on my websites and other websites as well as in printed forms for the purpose of promoting my business (not for selling copies of artworks for a profit), once the artworks are presented to the general public, or made available in the market places. In this case, the clients will be mentioned as the copyright owners. In addition, if my propriatory images (such as the images of the Happy Mouse and the Happy Lion exhibiteed in this web site) are used, they will be used under licenses from me, and I will retain the copyright to the licensed images.
For full-time employment with corporations or design firms: $45,000/year to $55,000/year (depending on the company's compensation schedule), plus standard benefits offered by the company. This salary expectation is negotiable and could be lowered in exchange of royalties, corporate stocks or profit-sharing deals.
For part-time employment with corporations or design firms: 20 hours/week. $30,000/year (or 2,500/month, at least one month duration), plus benefits mandated by the government.
For working on corporate grants on the issue of K-12 STEAM education or on development of digital arts and graphic design curriculum, instructional manuals and others for non-profit, educational purposes: Compensation is based on the scope of the project and the Hourly Rate could be as low as $25/hour ($15/hour as a "living wage" plus $10/hour to cover taxes, Obama Care medical insurance and other costs).
For working on campaign projects for qualified non-profit organizations (charity, ecology and social justice): Compensation is generally based on the scope of the project and the Hourly Rate could be as low as $15/hour ("living wage"), and for some circumstances, volunteer service is available.
For working for any company or firm as an employee, the services will be considered as "work-for-hire," however, I retain (1) the right to claim credit and (2) the right to publish the work on my websites and other websites as well as in printed forms for the purpose of promoting my creative service (not for selling copies of artworks for a profit), once the artworks are presented to the general public, or made available in the market places. In this case, the corporation or firm will be mentioned as the copyright owner. However, these rights could be given up in exchange for a higher amount of salary or service fee compensation. In addition, if my propriatory images (such as the images of the Happy Mouse and the Happy Lion exhibiteed in this web site) are used, they will be used under licenses from me, and I will retain the copyright to the licensed images.
For selling artworks through representatives or agencies: Compensation is based on project scope and complexity.
In general, only the physical works of art are sold to clients, and I retain the copyright. Occasionally, the copyright could be purchased as well.
For teaching arts (both traditional and digital): Based on the compensation schedule of the hiring school(s) and negotiable.
In general, I retain the copyright to all art works created for instructional purposes; and I will publish most of them online to share with teachers, students and the general public. I will sell licenses to images contained in my instructional materials as well.
Service Procedures
For employers interested in recruiting me as a full-time or regular part-time employee: My potential employers are requested to review my portfolio projects first; if they are interested, they will be requested to send me an email expressing their desire to have an interview with me, briefly explaining to me the products and services their companies offer to the public (if applicable, the URL to their web site could be of great help for me to better understand the operation of their businesses), and listing the time slots available for interview in the following three weeks. I check emails every Sunday, and will respond with a selected time slot for interview. Once all employment documents are processed, my service will start.
For clients interested in using my free-lance service: My potential clients are requested to review my portfolio projects first; if they are interested, they will be requested to send me an email expressing their desire to have a meeting with me to evaluate their needs for my professional services and to present them annual budgets for using my services, briefly explaining to me the products and services their companies offer to the public (if applicable, the URL to their web site could be of great help for me to better understand the operation of their businesses), and listing the time slots available for the meetings in the following three weeks. I check emails every Sunday, and will respond with a selected time slot for meeting my clients. Once the service provider - client relationship is established with a general agreement, service will start upon the payment of the initial deposit for the first project.
Please note that due to proliferation of fraudulent phone calls, I no longer receive calls from anyone without receiving an email first. The cell phone number listed below is for me to call out. For my clients and important friends, I use another cell phone number. Therefore, for the first contact, my potential employers and clients are requested to send me an email first with their phone number. Thank you for your cooperation.
- Designer: $30
- Senior designer :$40
- Creative director/designer: $50
- Art director: $50
- Print production artist: $30
- Print production manager: $50
- Web developer: $50
- Web designer: $55
The above figures are for the year 2001. Right now, we are in the year 2014, reasonable adjustment due to cost-of-living increase and inflation should lead to an additional $5 for each category.
Based on the above, with adjustments made due to California's high living cost (in particular, in terms of high housing cost), as well as the needs to receive additional professional training, to pay for software program upgrades, and to purchase books and professional magazines, my hourly rates are explained as follows:
Calculation for Per-Diem Rates and Hourly Rates
(Using the Per-Diem Rate Formula, p. 109, and the Total Direct/Indirect Business Costs Per Hour Formula, p. 110, of the Graphic Artists Guild Handbook of Pricing & Ethical Guidelines, 2001 Edition)
Annual rent/utilities: $6,000/year
Business licence/inspection fees/taxes: $500/year (home based business)
Office/art supplies: $500/year
Computer hardware purchase/maintenance/equipment depreciation: $1,500/year
Computer software purchase/upgrades: $1,500/year
Advertizing/promotion: $1,500/year
Phone/Internet service: $600/year
Transportation: $1,000/year (public transportation)
Professional membership/training/entertaiment: $1,500/year
External consultation: $1,500/year
Business cost sub-total: $16,100/year
Per-Diem Rate for producing artworks for clients with the client as art director
(The client supplies detailed design concepts and relevant digital images and text)
Business cost sub-total: $16,100/year
Add a reasonable salary: $45,000/year
TotaL: $61,100/year
Divide by 230 working business days per year: $266/day
Add a reasonable profit margin (12%): $31.9/day
Per-Diem Rate: $300/day (8 hours to 10 hours, one-day or $300 minimum)
Discounted Rate possible depending on the scope of the project. End-of-Year Rebate possible based on the amount of service ordered. For qualified clients, up to 30% of service fee could be used to purchase goods or services at a 10% discount from the client.
Hourly Rate for producing artworks for clients with the client as art director
(The client supplies detailed design concepts and relevant digital images and text)
Business cost sub-total: $16,100/year
Add a reasonable salary: $45,000/year
TotaL: $61,100/year
Divide by 1,680 working hours per year: $36.37/hour
Add a reasonable profit margin (12%): $4.36/hour
Hourly Rate: $40/hour (3 hours or $120 minimum)
Discounted Rate possible depending on the scope of the project. End-of-Year Rebate possible based on the amount of service ordered. For qualified clients, up to 30% of service fee could be used to purchase goods or services at a 10% discount from the client.
Per-Diem Rate for producing artworks for clients with myself as art director
(The client supplies general objectives of the design project and relevant text; I develop detailed design concepts and provide images)
Business cost sub-total: $16,100/year
Add a reasonable salary: $70,000/year
TotaL: $86,100/year
Divide by 230 working business days per year: $374/day
Add a reasonable profit margin (12%): $44.9/day
Per-Diem Rate: $400/day (8 hours to 10 hours, two-days or $800 minimum)
Discounted Rate possible depending on the scope of the project. End-of-Year Rebate possible based on the amount of service ordered. For qualified clients, up to 30% of service fee could be used to purchase goods or services at a 10% discount from the client.
Per-Diem Rate for producing artworks for clients with myself as art director
(The client supplies general objectives of the design project and relevant text; I develop detailed design concepts and provide images)
Business cost sub-total: $16,100/year
Add a reasonable salary: $70,000/year
TotaL: $86,100/year
Divide by 230 working business days per year: $374/day
Add a reasonable profit margin (12%): $44.9/day
Per-Diem Rate: $400/day (8 hours to 10 hours, two-days or $800 minimum)
Discounted Rate possible depending on the scope of the project. End-of-Year Rebate possible based on the amount of service ordered. For qualified clients, up to 30% of service fee could be used to purchase goods or services at a 10% discount from the client.
Hourly Rate for producing graphic design artworks for clients with myself as art director
(The client supplies general objectives of the design project and relevant text; I develop detailed design concepts and provide images)
Business cost sub-total: $16,100/year
Add a reasonable salary: $70,000/year
TotaL: $86,100/year
Divide by 1,680 working hours per year: $51.25/hour
Add a reasonable profit margin (12%): N/A
Hourly Rate: $50/hour (4 hours or $200 minimum)
Discounted Rate possible depending on the scope of the project. End-of-Year Rebate possible based on the amount of service ordered. For qualified clients, up to 30% of service fee could be used to purchase goods or services at a 10% discount from the client.
For the above "free-lance" or contract-based services, there is a 5% to 10% end-of-year rebate for the total amount of service fee for the entire year (starting from the first day the service is ordered) of $15,000 and above. The "free-lance" or contract-based service is considered as "work-for-hire," however, I retain (1) the right to claim credit and (2) the right to publish the work on my websites and other websites as well as in printed forms for the purpose of promoting my business (not for selling copies of artworks for a profit), once the artworks are presented to the general public, or made available in the market places. In this case, the clients will be mentioned as the copyright owners. In addition, if my propriatory images (such as the images of the Happy Mouse and the Happy Lion exhibiteed in this web site) are used, they will be used under licenses from me, and I will retain the copyright to the licensed images.
For full-time employment with corporations or design firms: $45,000/year to $55,000/year (depending on the company's compensation schedule), plus standard benefits offered by the company. This salary expectation is negotiable and could be lowered in exchange of royalties, corporate stocks or profit-sharing deals.
For part-time employment with corporations or design firms: 20 hours/week. $30,000/year (or 2,500/month, at least one month duration), plus benefits mandated by the government.
For working on corporate grants on the issue of K-12 STEAM education or on development of digital arts and graphic design curriculum, instructional manuals and others for non-profit, educational purposes: Compensation is based on the scope of the project and the Hourly Rate could be as low as $25/hour ($15/hour as a "living wage" plus $10/hour to cover taxes, Obama Care medical insurance and other costs).
For working on campaign projects for qualified non-profit organizations (charity, ecology and social justice): Compensation is generally based on the scope of the project and the Hourly Rate could be as low as $15/hour ("living wage"), and for some circumstances, volunteer service is available.
For working for any company or firm as an employee, the services will be considered as "work-for-hire," however, I retain (1) the right to claim credit and (2) the right to publish the work on my websites and other websites as well as in printed forms for the purpose of promoting my creative service (not for selling copies of artworks for a profit), once the artworks are presented to the general public, or made available in the market places. In this case, the corporation or firm will be mentioned as the copyright owner. However, these rights could be given up in exchange for a higher amount of salary or service fee compensation. In addition, if my propriatory images (such as the images of the Happy Mouse and the Happy Lion exhibiteed in this web site) are used, they will be used under licenses from me, and I will retain the copyright to the licensed images.
For selling artworks through representatives or agencies: Compensation is based on project scope and complexity.
In general, only the physical works of art are sold to clients, and I retain the copyright. Occasionally, the copyright could be purchased as well.
For teaching arts (both traditional and digital): Based on the compensation schedule of the hiring school(s) and negotiable.
In general, I retain the copyright to all art works created for instructional purposes; and I will publish most of them online to share with teachers, students and the general public. I will sell licenses to images contained in my instructional materials as well.
Service Procedures
For employers interested in recruiting me as a full-time or regular part-time employee: My potential employers are requested to review my portfolio projects first; if they are interested, they will be requested to send me an email expressing their desire to have an interview with me, briefly explaining to me the products and services their companies offer to the public (if applicable, the URL to their web site could be of great help for me to better understand the operation of their businesses), and listing the time slots available for interview in the following three weeks. I check emails every Sunday, and will respond with a selected time slot for interview. Once all employment documents are processed, my service will start.
For clients interested in using my free-lance service: My potential clients are requested to review my portfolio projects first; if they are interested, they will be requested to send me an email expressing their desire to have a meeting with me to evaluate their needs for my professional services and to present them annual budgets for using my services, briefly explaining to me the products and services their companies offer to the public (if applicable, the URL to their web site could be of great help for me to better understand the operation of their businesses), and listing the time slots available for the meetings in the following three weeks. I check emails every Sunday, and will respond with a selected time slot for meeting my clients. Once the service provider - client relationship is established with a general agreement, service will start upon the payment of the initial deposit for the first project.
Please note that due to proliferation of fraudulent phone calls, I no longer receive calls from anyone without receiving an email first. The cell phone number listed below is for me to call out. For my clients and important friends, I use another cell phone number. Therefore, for the first contact, my potential employers and clients are requested to send me an email first with their phone number. Thank you for your cooperation.
Review of Sample Projects by Clients and Employers
Potential clients and employers are hereby requested to review my portfolio samples by clicking the linked texts below. If they are interested, they will be requested to send me an email with possible time slots for an interview or a meeting to (1) evaluate their needs for my professional service including an annual budget; and (2) discuss how I can best serve their needs in the most efficient way.
ART & DESIGN PROJECT WEB PAGES
Potential clients and employers are hereby requested to review my portfolio samples by clicking the linked texts below. If they are interested, they will be requested to send me an email with possible time slots for an interview or a meeting to (1) evaluate their needs for my professional service including an annual budget; and (2) discuss how I can best serve their needs in the most efficient way.
ART & DESIGN PROJECT WEB PAGES
1. Artistic creation website:
SuniSea Creation websie Home Page Fine Arts Hosting Page (click any thumnail to go to the art project page)
Digital Arts & Photography Hosting Page (click any thumnail to go to the art project page)
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3D Modeling, 3ds MAX Hosting Page (click any thumnail to go to the art project page)
3D Animation, 3ds MAX Hosting Page (click any thumnail to go to the art project page) 3D Modeling, Maya Hosting Page (click any thumnail to go to the art project page) 3D Animation, Maya Hosting Page (click any thumnail to go to the art project page) 2D Animation, Flash & AfterEffects Hosting Page (click any thumnail to go to the art project page) 3D Modeling, Inventor Hosting Page (click any thumnail to go to the art project page) 3D Modeling, Bryce Hosting Page (click any thumnail to go to the art project page) 2. Graphic design website: SuniSea Design website Home Page Graphic Design Hosting Page (click any thumnail to go to the graphic design project page) |
3. Product design website:
SuniSea Products Website Home page Product Design Projects Hosting Page (click any thumnail to go to the product design project page)
Technical Drawing & Illustration Hosting Page (click any thumnail to go to the technical illustration sample page) Students’ Works |
RESEARCH WRITING WEB PAGES
- K12 STEM Vision Paper
- Artistic Expressions in Public Spaces in Los Angeles and Some Other American Cities
- Logos and Signage in Los Angeles and Some Other American Cities
- Using Adobe Photoshop to Create Digital Cartoons or Caricatures
- Online Industrial Design Textbook Hosting Page
- Online Descriptive Geometry and Sheet-metal Design Textbook Hosting Page
Edward Locke's SuniSea Studio
Important Websites and Webpages Navigator
At the bottom of the Home page. Please click the Home button below to return to the Home page.
Important Websites and Webpages Navigator
At the bottom of the Home page. Please click the Home button below to return to the Home page.
Contact Information:
[email protected] | Phone number for clients only. |