Do you put your name/logo on your renderings?

[Reitveld]

When you do work for a client do you place your name or your company’s somewhere on the final rendering? Also, when the client wants their logo on the renderings, do you place yours on there also?

 

I guess the real answer comes down to the contract and if its agreed upon. I’m curious what everyone does, and if they have ever had a client who did NOT want your logo anywhere on the final rendering.

[3dp]

depends on the client but the answer is usually a yes although you may have to look hard for it(it may be in a car number plate advertising on a bus embossed symbol on a door closer, clock speed on a pc, a tattoo!! you get the picture sometimes i'm a little devious but it's in there whther they like it or not oh and sometimes i do a hitchcock and put my ugly self or my family in there too)

usually it's down to discretion of myself although one outfit wanted their logo on an image which had been on the front of my webpage but as we'd had a bit of a falling out and as i'd 75% designed the external aesthetics i told them to sue me

i've just finished a project this past month however where i am anonymous as i was forced to change my "style" to suit the architect and i was not too happy about that

but thats going to be a topic of my own once i settle down

[ingo]

Since the renderings i do are no advertising campain for me i obviously dont include my logo, but of course one should insist that your name appears in the brochure, newspaper... where the rendering is published; which sometimes really happens

[Reitveld]

Thanks for your input. The Architect is arguing that they created the design, and picked the colors, and all I am doing is copying it into the computer and then making a rendering. I think it’s a bit of an unfair argument as I did the computer work not them… but as I wanted to do some trial work for them so we both can get a feeling for each other, I agreed to their wishes.

 

I do like the idea of having an acknowledgement clause in the contract. :winkgrin:

[Ernest Burden III]

If your client does not want it on there they will crop it out of all reproductions which is very common for architects. You should also put something in your work for hire agreement addressing copyrights and publishing credit.

NEVER use the phrase "work for hire" if you want to retain any right to your work. It will strip you of ALL coyrights, rights of attribution, rights to use the work in your portfolio, right to do derivitive work in the future. (In the US, at least). It makes you like any employee of your client, just without the regular paycheck and benefits.

 

Also, in certain states, New York, Georgia and California in particular, there are some graphic arts laws that can restrict a photo or repro house from reproducing an image if they cannot verify who own copyright. So when your logo is on it, but its someone else bringing in the image to reproduce, there can be a problem. If the client intentionally removes a copyright notice from your picture in order to allow them to go ahead with reproductions, or to claim it is the work of their office alone, they are likely committing a felony which can even have jail-time as a consequence. (In the US, again).

 

Having said all that, I rarely sign renderings. I usually try to make them complete to all edges, and feel like putting a name on them is graffitti. In this regard I am an idiot.

[kainoa]

Originally posted by Reitveld:

The Architect is arguing that they created the design, and picked the colors, and all I am doing is copying it into the computer and then making a rendering. I think it’s a bit of an unfair argument...

OMG, not only an unfair arg, it's ignorant and insulting. If you were to do it by hand, they'd probably have no problem with a signature and IMO, doing it by hand would actually be easier.

[ingo]

Originally posted by Reitveld:

...The Architect is arguing that they created the design, and picked the colors, and all I am doing is copying it into the computer and then making a rendering...

Well to me that sounds like a good description of our daily work, a little bit short maybe.

[Brian Cassil]

...and all I am doing is copying it into the computer and then making a rendering

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PARDON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They actually said that to you? Besides telling them to f*!@ off I would have also mentioned that all they did was make a set of instructions telling people with hard hats how to put together something they client designed, as that is what actually hapens more often than not these days. I swear "design architects" have got to be the most self rightous people on the face of the earth!

[STRAT]

i always put my companies logo on and usually stamp mt own signed signature somewhere on it.

[John Dollus]

You should put your logo/name on your renderings. If your client does not want it on there they will crop it out of all reproductions which is very common for architects. You should also put something in your work for hire agreement addressing copyrights and publishing credit.

[nisus]

Hi All,

 

We put our companies 'signature' at the bottom-right of every print we make, but do deliver a clean no-signature version for reproduction as we prefer a full non-cropped version.

In our contract we clearly state that every reproduction by ANY party should bare the text 'copyright by / / ' and that the client is responsible for this additional text.

 

rgds

 

nisus

[Reitveld]

Kind of a cut throat business. I wish architects were more proud of their/our work and would have more respect for themselves. Kind of like the architect of old did.

 

You all gave good advice, and I thank you. I believe I want my name or a reference to my name for every piece. If for no other reason than driving business back to myself for future work.

 

Brian, great response!!!

 

Kainoa: Yes this seems very unfair.

 

Ernest: Good Tip. I will keep this in mind from now on. THANKS!!!

 

Nisus: This seems to be a great compromise with architects. I may take 3dp's advice and start putting my name in the rendering in small small ways just for fun.

[nisus]

Hi Reitveld,

 

Why not talk about this with your client? Clients will appreciate it better when you talk about wopyright, than when they finding out you do sneaky additions...

Making such a deal is a good thing for BOTH parties: every publication mentions honestly the authors and can generate new jobs for both sides.

Don't be afraid to talk!

 

rgds

 

nisus

[quizzy]

Before I started to work for myself, 2 months ago, I worked for an architect. Working there built my portfolio. I allready had a website running and just added a lot of the pictures I made for them... WITHOUT ASKING THEM.... I just did it and later told them the address of my "online portfolio". I allready added their name as clients name and the architects name of the design. Thats for starters.

 

Well how does this thing work here in the Netherlands?

 

If, for example, you took a photograph of a building and would publish that picture in magazines or s'thing, you have to ask the designer for permission to do so. If you would make an artist impression from the same building you would not have to mention the architects name etc... So the big word here in the netherlands is: Impression!! It is the artists personal view (impression) of a building that he sees. If you were a painter it would be outragious to ask an architect for permission if you can sell the painting!!! (Van Gogh never did!! )

The same goes for renderings. I make artist impressions for architects. Its my personal impression of the building.

 

And to answer your question, I never put my logo on pictures...

[Chris_A]

For better or worse I almost never put a logo onto a finished rendering that a client will use in presentation. While it may lower your profile a bit it does also keep one firm from realizing that you are working with their fiercest competator and reduces the potential for a percieved confilict of interest. I prefer pick the firms I market to and accept to work for so not having a logo out there everywhere keeps the not so serious ones from calling so much. WIPs I do plug a logo onto.

 

As part of many contracts graphic designers will often waive the requirement for copyright notice on the work in it's intended form but will require it if the image is reproduced for print such as in a magazine, book or website. It does come down to controlling use of the image as much as claiming it as your own.

 

All in all a vast majority of 'architects' know little about copyright law, but may use it as a way to bully others. For specific information see the US Copyright Office web site or your nations own resource if outside the US.