Freelance

= Freelance = When working by yourself it is generally more difficult to keep a steady income, but the flexibility can be very rewarding.


 * Vertex #1 free game art e-book, with articles and workflows by professionals, plus an excellent freelancing how-to by longtime freelancer Ben 'b1ll' Regimbal.
 * Can you really be a freelancer? Polycount forum thread
 * Horror Freelance Stories Polycount forum thread
 * Tips for doing freelance work... Polycount forum thread with great advice from working freelancers.

Questions for the Client
Get the information you need when you start a project.
 * 1) Software (i.e. Maya 2012, 3DSMAX 2013)
 * 2) Polycount (i.e. 1500 tris)
 * 3) Texture count, sizes, and type (i.e. 3 512x512 textures, head+upper body+lower body, diff+norm+spec)
 * 4) Sculpt required, or is Crazybump\nDo okay?
 * 5) Target engine ( UDK, Unity, etc.)
 * 6) Target screen resolution (in general but especially for mobile)
 * 7) Player perspective (FPS, third person, top-down iso)
 * 8) Timeframe (2wks, 4wks, ?)
 * 9) Concept or reference given?
 * 10) Sample asset provided? (art style, quality level, tech specs)
 * 11) Complexity? (complex rig, animatable parts, per-pixel painting, etc. can increase the time needed)
 * 12) Deliverables? (i.e. finished .MA file with texture flats in TGA format, plus layered PSDs)

Don't forget to use a contract!

Art Tests
Advice on art tests:

Freelance Rates

 * Info: going rate for 1,500 tri model+texture Polycount forum thread
 * Freelance rates query Polycount forum thread has info about how to calculate your freelance rate.
 * How much should I charge for freelance 3D modeling work? article on KatsBits.com with advice and sample rates.
 * FreelanceSwitch Hourly Rate Calculator

The following numbers are averages, posted by Polycount members. All numbers are in USD unless stated otherwise.

<>* Individual contractors in the US range from $275 - 500/day ($34.50 - 62.50/hr).<> <>** These rates are for rare high-end boutique studios.

Time Estimates
From the Polycount forum thread Info: going rate for 1,500 tri model+texture.

Legal & Taxes

 * Freelancing - worth creating an LLC to protect yourself? Any disadvantages? Polycount Forum thread
 * Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines is an excellent resource for freelancers (and salarymen too). Pricing guidelines, legal info, copyright law, sample contracts, how to negotiate, and more. Highly recommended!
 * Useful Legal Documents For Designers (PDF/DOC) free example contracts you can customize to your needs. Non-disclosure agreement, work for hire, illustration, web design, intellectual property, etc.