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Freelance Resources

These resources, tailored to address the needs and interests of independent contractors, have been created to help you create more effective contracts, ensure timely payment from clients, and follow best practices for tax filing.

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AIGA Design and Business Conference

Now more than ever, design is driving businesses forward. Fueling growth, delivering brand loyalty, and creating cultural impact and meaningful social change—design is at the heart of every successful business. Join us May 12–14 at the AIGA Design & Business Conference to see firsthand how design is impacting businesses in measurable ways.

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Design Business Conference

Independent Contractor Agreement

Use an agreement like this when you are subcontracting with design firms and ad agencies. With respect to intellectual property rights, it’s important to note that this form favors the design firm because they control the project as well as the client account. You should not use this form when you are selling services directly to a business client. For that, you should refer to the AIGA Standard Form of Agreement for Design Services.

View the contract

Legal Guides

This collection of legal guides has been written by lawyers and small business experts. We encourage you to download and refer to these resources if you have questions about intellectual property—including copyright, trademark, or patents—employment law or freelancing. The accompanying collection of articles explain related legal issues, including how to advocate for your creative rights.

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Freelance Considerations: Lessons Learned

Freelance graphic design is often a desirable means of employment because of schedule flexibility, the opportunity to “own your work” and the possibility of higher income. But freelance graphic design isn’t something to jump into without careful consideration. In this article, Daren Guillory shares the lessons he's learned in his own career path.

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Guide to Independent Contracting

Many designers work as independent contractors, also often referred to as freelancers. This guide provides an overview of the legal and tax basics that independent contractor designers need to know.

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Design Business and Ethics

The AIGA Design Business and Ethics book outlines the critical ethical and professional issues encountered by designers and their clients. This publication examines the key concerns a designer faces in maintaining a successful practice and speaks directly to the protection of individual rights. Authored by industry leaders from across the country, each chapter offers clear and concise information, as well as practical and specific directions for approaching design issues.

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Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders

The Business Perspectives for Creative Leaders curriculum is co-designed by AIGA and Yale School of Management to equip creative leaders to meet the challenges of management give participants the skills and perspectives they need to reach the next levels in their careers.

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Additional Resources

    Pricing and Payments

    Shel Perkins

    Calculating a Freelance Rate

    As a self-employed worker, you are responsible for all of your own taxes and business expenses. For that reason, it's important to calculate an hourly rate that is based on your own situation. The process is not complicated—just follow these simple steps.

    Stephen Fishman

    What to Do If a Client Wants to Cancel a Contract

    Small business attorney Stephen Fishman explains what to do when a client informs you it wants to a cancel a contract.

    Shel Perkins

    Pricing Models

    When design firms sell work, there are several very different ways to structure the compensation. The most common formats are time and materials, fixed-fee, use-based pricing, licensing, hybrid, and free.

    Emily Ruth Cohen

    Payment Strategies

    It's the nature of working in a creative industry—each job and client has unique characteristics, requirements, and needs. What may work for one client, may not be quite right for another. Your best strategy is to approach your payment schedule as you would any design project, personalizing your methodology with forethought, fortitude, and creativity.
      Managing your Business

      Shel Perkins

      Freelancing for Design Firms and Agencies

      If you are doing freelance work, remember that you are a one-person business. Design firms and agencies will make gross payments to you-that is to say that no taxes or other amounts will be withheld. You are responsible for all of your own taxes, insurance and other business issues.

      Shel Perkins

      Becoming a Business

      If you've been successful as a freelancer and you enjoy independence, you may want to establish your own small design firm. Take into account these considerations when setting up a new business.

      Margaret Rhodes

      A Short (But Useful) Guide to Not Getting Screwed By the IRS

      Advice for filing taxes, plus planning for them year round.

      Shel Perkins

      Bookkeeping Basics

      Bookkeeping is important, but it can seem a bit intimidating. To make it as accessible as possible for someone just getting started in business, this overview breaks the topic down into three sections.

      Susan Johnston Taylor

      5 Questions Freelance Designers Should Ask Potential Clients

      When freelancers talk to prospective clients, they’re sometimes so eager to land the assignment that they skip a crucial step: making sure the client is actually someone they want to work with. Here, three experts share their strategies for screening clients.

      Income Taxes for Freelancers

      Previously in your career, you may have been on someone's payroll. As you recall, they withheld estimated tax amounts from each of your paychecks and forwarded those amounts to the government on your behalf. Now that you are an independent businessperson, you are required to do that for yourself.

      Shel Perkins

      Insurance Basics

      If you're just starting out in business, the whole subject of insurance can be rather confusing. To put things into context, this article offers an overview of the various players and what it is that they provide.

      Additional Resources

      Related reading, videos and opportunities

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      Finance for Freelancers and Small Businesses

      Designing your finances for uncertain times, a session with Benjamin Sargent, CPA.
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