AboutValerie Randall Expertise I specialize in computer crafting: designing anything from greeting cards to wrapping paper in Broderbund`s The Print Shop, PrintMaster or American Greetings CreataCard. I can answer questions on design, fonts, layout, construction, how to build templates and how to assemble designs into finished products. I use a wide range of crafting materials in my completed designs and can refer people to great products that will help make their crafts professional and unique.
Experience
Past/Present clients Levi Strauss, Lingual House, Addison Wesley, General Electric, Macy's, Charles Schwab, AT&T, Pacific Bell, Riverdeep (Broderbund Software), Sandia National Laboratories
Question I am a fledgling craft designer (pen and wash images) and have so far managed a book "Hand Painted Rustic Cards"with Search Press, designed painting projects for Crafts Beautiful Magazine (UK)and designed a range of craft papers.
I would like to branch out into becoming a freelance designer working on products such as designing rubber stamps, craft papers etc. My main stumbling block is that I come from a background with no commercial experience ( I was a staff nurse in my old life!). I would really appreciate any guidance on what I could expect to be paid, how the payment structure, terms and licensing may be set out. I know for a fact that the payment for the craft papers did not reflect the time spent on them and I feel I need some more information before I seek out further opportunities.
If you could help in any way or point me in the right direction, I would be most grateful.
No commercial experience need not be a stumbling block, you have to start somewhere. I looked at your site and I think you have great talent.
Payment in this industry depends on many things. I'd suggest you start looking for books on Licensing. The Graphic Artists Guild is a fantastic Resource: http://www.gag.org/ and they have an extensive book on Pricing and Ethical Guidelines.
There is also a book published annually called Artist's & Graphic Designer's Market. The 2009 one has not yet been released, but you can find the 2008 one thru Amazon.
Study those books and you'll find out more info than I can ever tell you. You may also find digital scrapbooking to be a good place to sell your work if you know how to work in Photoshop. I am the art director and a partner in www.scrapgirls.com, so check out what we do as well and see if that speaks to you.
Remember, you can be as rich as you desire. Just believe in yourself.
