[RonB]

A post over on the Gallery section titled, "How much is it worth?" points out a recurring theme, that I think is worth looking into. Rather than hijack that thread I thought I'd start another.

The replies to that post and others on the same topic, that of pricing one's work, show that as a group we are all over the map, with most of us just taking a stab in the dark approach. Or the, "whatever the market can bear at any given time", sort of calculation.

I am thinking it's time we open a dialog on the establishment of a 3D Designers Guild that could set a policy of standards, practices and pricing guidelines that members could refer to. The Guild could be set up to jury in applicants to membership by an agreed upon merit system and be issued some sort of standard of the Guild to post on their site, business card, etc. In time, as with all such certification groups it would become accepted as a standard of quality in the industry. One could think of it as a kind of union.

There is no reason at all that it could not work world wide, with groups in all countries.

There is a Graphic Artist's Guild that publishes a Handbook of Pricing and Ethical Guidelines. It is very helpful but they try to cover all aspects of graphic arts. I favor a niche focused approach to the 3D craft alone, specifically tailored for individuals and small shops.

Wouldn't it be good to have a well established resource to refer to for contracts, pricing, and other job related issues? What do you think?

[Hervé]

Ya know Ron, as an ex-independant-film-director... Unions always give me pimples & zits ...

... but maybe we need one... how would you proceed....?

First come fisrt served..

You're President.. I am vice-president...

h.

[x_site]

i am not sure how effective that really is... there's always someone prepared to undercut you and generally signing up to such standards can easily work against you... not everyone plays by the rules.

[RonB]

Herve, it's not really a union...I should not have said that. But cool, you can run the 3D Designers Guild Grand Duchy Devision...I would really proceed by getting people like you that might be interested and start talking about the prospects via a blog.

x_site, not worrying about people that don't play by the rules...this is not an iron clad thing, only a set of guidelines to help people within the craft. But also to establish some form of recognition and certification that would become a standard of quality. There are all sorts of ways to rip off, copy, lie and cheat about everything...there are some people that will always be there to do that. What I am talking about is a resource for freelance and small groups is all. What would be wrong with that?

[wagurto]

How are you going to handle different markets around the wolrd? I guess an hourly rate in Swedden or france are very different from USA or india. It would impossible to stablish a fairly hourly rate that works for everybody everywhere, I think. BTW nice iniciative

[RonB]

wagurto,

Well of course different areas and countries would have to be factored...and dealt with by reginal standards. For example, with in the U.S. we have distinct marketing areas. The EastCoast, MidWest, West, SouthWest, South, SouthEast, NorthWest. All are different and all might need different considerations. That is true with the European countries as well. But it is not an impossible task...remember...this is for the benifit of the artists...a resource, not a compliance, or hinderance in any way. Information is not difficult to gather these days and I believe it can be done.

Again, I need to stress...As I envision this Guild, it is a reference and resource for 3D artists...and also potential clients.