Quote:
Originally posted by CosmicKitten
I am curious what other designers opinions are on psd files and job orders. Whether or not to give the client the psd upon completion of the job.
I have recently started to tell clients that I do not give out psd files, unless they are ordering a complete tour package.
Once I did a logo for someone, and didn't think much about it at the time, but they asked for the psd file and also the font. So I went ahead and sent them these things. Then when they launched their new site they had used my psd file to create most of the tour, all the graphical text with the fonts I used, and also had someone else do the banners with the same logo on all of them. No big deal, I just chumped it up to learning and my lack of communication since I didn't really think about all this at the time.
But I look at it this way now: PSD files are for changing/modifying the graphics so if someone just orders a logo or gallery, and I send them the psd file then they can get anyone else to design more things with my graphic recipes in the psd file and thats just not very cool.
In fact, I'd love to get a hold of some other designer's psd files, hehehe.... ;)
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If someone pays you for a job, it isn't "your" data, anymore. It's not really any of your business what they do with the graphics after you make them. I would not deal with a designer who refused to send me the .PSD or other related files for graphics I paid for.
Your Big Mac comparison is ridiculous. Graphics and food are not the same thing. You're comparing digital data and a hamburger, but if you want to compare them at least do it sensibly: When you order a Big Mac you <B>do get all the ingredients</B>. You get your pickles, your sauce, your bun, etc. No, you don't get a detailed recipe, but a PSD isn't a detailed recipe, it's just ingredients. A "detailed recipe" would be explaining to the client how to use drop shadows, inner bevels, your favorite filters, the render->lighting effect, etc. Giving them the PSD is just giving them the ingredients they paid for. What does it matter to you if they rearrange the ingredients to make something else they want?
Edit: before I catch any flames, I know PSD files include the drop shadows and bevels and so on. It's still just an ingredient with no directions for use.
SpaceAce