Shot at me, lol? I didn't ask those rappers/singers to put out albums.. graphic artist or not, almost everbody downloads.

Those are cheap people, I ain't got no respect for those people.. they download photoshop to not lose any money while real graphic artists buy or maybe download it to express themself and because they love art. And their skills aren't as good as someone that has been doing it for a few year.. u can't be good within a couple of weeks. So why not pay for something that may get you more business?

And, yes I did.

Very valid points, I read the entire argument and have to admit that I completely agree with everything written.

I have been approached for free design work in the past (I've designed a few tattoos for free but only for family and friends), including magazine spreads, illustrative cartoon work and assorted works (I see you A.K. lol). I have done free work in the past, but usually trade services. Such as- I didn't mind designing A.K. a Myspace background design, because I've used his beats before without being charged- kind of a fair trade I feel.

If people don't mind substandard work then perhaps it isn't overly offensive to ask someone to mock them something up, but people who request professional marketable covers are crazy to expect designers to work for free. What do they gain from working for a few hours to help other people sell? Okay, so their name is on the cover, and people might think "woah, that's a nice cover", but seriously, if they inquired about the artist, they would be told "oh he did it me for free" so why would the next man offer payment?? They wouldn't.

As for the point regarding downloaded music- that is beside the point. You couldn't steal from a shop whose owners download music, and in court say "well they download music illegally" and expect to get let off. It wouldn't work. And the music industry does not market for a single customer- let me clarify. The graphic artist designs a SPECIFIC cover/design for a SPECIFIC criteria/specification- the work they do is unique for the customer. Dr. Dre isn't in the booth spitting a verse that is about exactly what you request and for you alone. It is marketable by default and will be promoted extensively. Graphic work isn't.

Perhaps it seems hypocritical, but the musicians with multimillion dollar contracts, big mansions and flashy cars earn astronomical figures- the average freelance graphics artist usually earns a lump figure, as opposed to royalties based on profit margins. Basically, when you download Eminem's next album, he will not miss the earnings- he won't miss the few dollars.

My 2 cents.

blasta u fuckin liar u didnt buy shit

but forreal, i think they should be able to ask money for it... but not freakin 40 dollar for just a cover, its just to much u know dem rappers usually are broke (d-coe...)

and i think it also depends on who asks it... if its a big dj, ask money... if its just some wanabe myspace rapper (d-coe again ) just do it for free...
its not like u started doing GFX cause u was like: dude imma start making cover for money in the future, u started because it was fun

















no offence d-coe

^ lol harsh



Like I said, if they don't mind a 15 minute mock up substandard piece of artwork... then fair enough...

...but when they want something that is MARKETABLE and will generate them some serious REVENUE then the GFX artist deserves some credit.

true dat, but no one makes a cover in 15 minutes lol

I agree with the whole article.

And Dutcher, why are you complaining about the price, not like you'll ever pay for his services

because its to expensive

Dutcher, yeah.. I always liked art, and once Photoshop was a way of expressing myself. I started with basic shit, and after that I started doing covers wich I sucked at.. but after a few years I got good and started asking money for my services. Ain't nothing wrong with that, and you are saying "40$ is to expensive" .. man some people charge 100$ a cover. So you are kinda dissing designers, thinkin' that 40$ is too much for what we do. U don't know the progress, U don't know what we do. Great design is not stuffing 10 lbs of sh*t in a 5lb bag. Stop undervaluing what we do man.

It isn't really If you ask a company to fix something at your house or w/e, you're going to have to pay them like 40 per hour. What Blasta does is no different from that. He's probably even cheap if he asks 40 per cover, as I'm sure he doesn't always complete it in 1 hour

And if you were in his shoes you wouldn't be saying shit. And that's to everyone who thinks he should do it for free, or is too expensive

40 euro is veel geld

marja, ik was dan ook de gene die 50 cent voor z'n beats vroeg toen zijn broer een paar wou hebben