I once attended a lecture by Martin Cook who had just completed a commission of carving and designing 2000 letters in the Millennium Project for the South Portico of The British Museum. This is where Lord Foster’s fabulous glass ceiling is, and the English Heritage Controversy of the Portland stone being substituted by French Limestone happened. If you want to read more and see images, Google ‘Contoversy, Portland Stone British Museum’
Martin had applied for the commission and had an appointment to be interviewed by the architect about the letters around the facade of the Round Reading room. When he went there, his heart sank as he looked at the names of the carvers who had already been interviewed, in the visitor’s book – the likes of Michael Harvey (Sainsbury Wing: British National Gallery) et al. Martin then spoke to the architect who had already worked out what he wanted and who had drawn a scale model with a massive typographic font that he liked.
Fonts do not lend themselves to carving, because the minute they are enlarged the serifs look clumpy and the letters are clumsy. Each letter carver before Martin had said they were interested and capable but that they would want to re-design the letters on account of that problem. Martin also saw the problem but said “yes”, needing the commission, but hoping to convert the architect en route. Once he had the commission, he demonstrated with his own design as well as the clunky font and hey-ho, the architect agreed with him and he had the most prestigious job of his career.
Worth thinking about…
An anecdote from this commission is that HRH Prince Charles opened the gallery and they managed to complete and dropped the last brass letter into the carved inlay in the floor minutes before HRH arrived; carftsmen grabbed their tools and stood up straight!
This is what I learnt from this:
- If you are keen to gain the commission, be positive and don’t put bears in the path.
- Work hard to communicate with your client about the way you envisage the outcome.
- Involve your client in the design process as much as you can, especially in the beginning.
- And I’d like to add:
- Remind yourself that if the client likes it, it is nice. So then it’s up to you whether or not to be involved.
- If the client’s budget is unrealistic (often because he doesn’t know how long something takes), offer good less expensive alternatives. e.g. envelopes: names in calligraphy and addresses done digitally.
- I offer cheaper alternatives anyway, so that the client feels happy and recognises what he is paying for: e.g.
Place names in calligraphy: £3.50 each
Place names in calligraphy, with ribbon and a crystal buckle: £6.00 each
Place Names in a smart digital font: £1.25 - Then if the client selects the latter, it is guaranteed that you’ll make more per hour and it’s a win-win.
- Also, send the client digital images to help them visualise what you offer.
Thank Lin, that is very valuable advice, and not only limited to calligraphy or arts, i see it in photography as well. We often forget that it is the client who is paying and who needs to be satisfied and he will be even more satisfied if he is converted diplomatically and then feels the final outcome was his idea……….. even if it is a converted idea.
Often when people understand the actual costs and work involved they will argue for you and fully support you. Communication is the key.
Good advice Lin. I usually offer 3 quotes – although for my very first private commission, when I left Reigate, the client wanted “all the bells and whistles” for the “budget” price! Needless to say I didn’t go down that route! It was a learning curve though as I was very trusting and didn’t take a deposit – never again. After the initial conversation/e-mail I retain a deposit before beginning work on any roughs. I recently “released” myself from a commission as it was morphing itself beyond the original spec and quote into something that didn’t appeal at all – goal posts were shifting all over the place! Thanks for the share Lin x
It’s so useful to hear other people’s experiences. Thank you!