Home > About Us > Hiring FAQs         ABOUT US     Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Commonly Asked Questions About Hiring an Illustrator Question Q: How do I figure out which illustrator to contact? Q: What information should I be prepared to give an illustrator to get a fair estimate? Q: I'm on a tight budget and don't think I can afford a professional illustration, what should I do? Q: What information should I give an illustrator to do the work? Q: When and how should I secure an illustrator for my project? Q: What information can I expect to see in a contract? Q: Do I have to pay Sales Tax? Q: Can the New York Society of Renderers, Inc. suggest an illustrator, which I might use? Q: How much can I expect to pay for an illustration? Q: How much time should an illustration and/or animation take? Q: Once I have an illustrator contracted to do the work, how will the process work? Q: Can I expect additional expenses? Answer Q: How do I figure out which illustrator to contact? A: Simply look at the different styles offered and call an illustrator that interests you. Back to Top Q: What information should I be prepared to give an illustrator to get a fair estimate? A: When calling an illustrator for the first time, you should provide the following: date you need the illustration(s); number of illustrations required; a description of the project (hardcopy via fax is much more accurate than verbal); how will the surrounding context be illustrated (photomontage, fully illustrated, blocked out). You should also make clear the deadline date, which should accommodate shipping, printing, framing or other coordination issues. Back to Top Q: I'm on a tight budget and don't think I can afford a professional illustration, what should I do? A: Before mentioning the above information, tell the illustrator what you can spend and perhaps they will have illustration technique suggestions that will work with your budget. Back to Top Q: What information should I give an illustrator to do the work? A: Site Plan, Plans, Elevations, Sections, Roof Plans, etc., which describes the particular features from the direction of the perspective. Don't slow your illustrator down by sending everything you have about a project but instead, sort out the exact information they will need to do an excellent job for you. You want your illustrator focused on the illustration, not paperwork. Back to Top Q: When and how should I secure an illustrator for my project? A: As soon as you're ready to proceed with a job you should schedule the job with an illustrator. Many illustrators will be booked for weeks and months so it is important to sign a contract, provided to you by the illustrator, and pay a retainer to seal the deal. Back to Top Q: What information can I expect to see in a contract? A: A good contract represents a 'meeting of the minds' should spell out what is expected from both parties including the following: project name, date due, amount due, retainer amount, sales tax and other expenses, due dates for payment, the 'Use' of illustrations, client name and contact information, and additional info which will vary with illustrators. It is important to indicate what Use your illustrations will be used for and remember that the illustrator will always inherently own the copyright unless you make provisions for purchase; therefore, you may not always use, or have published an illustration unless you have permission from the illustrator. Back to Top Q: Do I have to pay Sales Tax? A: If required. The illustrator will be able to tell you. In New York State, if applicable, you must provide Exempt Use Certificate to prove you're tax exempt. Keep records of payment of Sales Tax as you may be audited and held liable. Back to Top Q: Can the New York Society of Renderers, Inc. suggest an illustrator, which I might use? A: It is up to the client when it comes to selecting and illustrator. We provide the means of accessing a variety of very talented individuals, which is one of our duties through the use of this web site, portfolio and other means, but we may not ethically recommend one individual illustrator over another. Back to Top Q: How much can I expect to pay for an illustration? A: There are a wide variety of prices that usually reflects the experience of the illustrator, quality of work being offered, the style (sketches can cost less than fully rendered illustrations), the size of the project and the due date of a project. You may be offered a reduction in the unit price of an illustration if you request more than one illustration of a project. Due to the Anti-trust Laws, we may not refer to actual prices. Back to Top Q: How much time should an illustration and/or animation take? A: You should check the required time with the illustrator you choose. Typically, a sketch (2-5 days) takes less time than an illustration (5 to 21 days) and, several illustrations can take less time than an animation. All this also depends on availability. Back to Top Q: Once I have an illustrator contracted to do the work, how will the process work? A: It varies with each illustrator; you may expect some sort of preview. The preview might show the viewpoint, general sun and shadows and, may also indicate colors, textures and additional information that will help verify the designer's intentions before a final commitment is made. It is good to designate a contact person to answer design questions an illustrator may have. Back to Top Q: Can I expect additional expenses? A: In general, no, but on the other hand, if you are unwilling to fulfill your part of the contract, which is to provide information and payment in a timely manner, there may be additional expenses which will reflect things like: 'rush job,' late revisions (additional expenses) and, late payment (interest and penalties), etc. As a group, the members of NYSR have been successful as professionals due to the general professionalism of our clients. We hope that this little FAQ will help you have a smooth and rewarding experience. Remember that illustrators do their part all the time; the challenge is for you to be successful fulfilling your role as a client. Back to Top   Mission Statement Programs Info > Hiring FAQs Sales Tax Guide