Requesting a map? Please read me.

[Korash]

I believe that the common ground for the requests should be the interest for creating the map, not the cost. The price should be something settled by the parties depending on the complexities of the request, be it time constraints, detail, size or what ever. I also believe that it is withing human nature to want the most for the least, and having a list, no matter how it is presented, will only cause those that have no budget and wanting a simple map to look elsewhere. That is something that we should be avoiding. The filling of unpaid requests is a great way to practice working on a deadline and to someone else's specs (Another being the competitions.) and a great way to get into the field. Stating what you want to pay should only the opening salvo in the negotiations and THAT depends on the requester and should not be set by anyone else.

My two cents (+tax) worth.

[ravells]

The irony here is that historically, one of the reasons for setting up a Guild (in medieval times) and enforcing membership was to regulate the prices charged by guild members!

....but we are not that sort of Guild!

[RobA]

In general, folks creating maps can be considered as specialized illustrators, and it would be reasonable to expect rates comparable to those of illustrators.

https://www.graphicartistsguild.org/handbook is a good resource for setting pricing, but it just shows things prices van vary tremendously.

For example, for book illustrations, they state the size on page, style and quantity of illustrations will affect the price but is $250 to $1500 per illustration. Small illustrations, 1/2 page and less are in the $50 to $500 range.

Another guideline I read once for "visual artists" was to price per square inch (at a standard DPI, for digital).

I would encourage ALL folks who are creating works on commissions not to undervalue themselves or their work!

Just my opinion.

-Rob A>

[Jacktannery]

Personally, I quote different prices based on pixel count and rights agreement. My prices range from the lowest for non-commercial reproduction rights; with a significant rise for commercial reproduction-of-image non-copyright agreements; and are highest for full exclusive copyright agreements. I'd imagine this is the norm.

I also agree with RobA that visual artists should not undervalue their work - but at the same time I think it is important that new artists are able and allowed to do their first few jobs as cheaply as they want while they are establishing themselves and putting together a portfolio.

[AntonioFrade]

As i said previously I am talking about a guidelines, not a strict policy that will be enforced with capital penalties (as used to happen in the case of medieval guilds Ravells). A guide for newies that want to not undervalue his or her job or a guide for requesters that want to know how much expect for a professional work.

I agree that size matters, also agree that copyright counts and I think that technique should count too (from my point of view creating an B&W map takes a lot less time that a full color illustration).

[foremost]

Would it be possible to make the "contact information" piece
Really Large and Brightly Colored?
It seems like every single request is lacking contact information,
and it's a hassle to remind constantly.

[Azélor]

we could make it mandatory to read this thread before posting a request

[Gamerprinter]

You could also make a form that has required blocks of information that include contact and all the needed information required for any map request - then publishing that request as a 'stat block' of information as the first post in any map request. I don't know how much work that would entail or whether the forum software even allows that, but that's one way to go to guarantee all info is provided.

[Schwarzkreuz]

I agree with GP and the others. Its indeed a bit messy lately.

[- Max -]

I changed the title of your thread to unpaid.