Sneak preview

[bladespark]

Here's what I finished on Saturday:

http://bladespark.topcities.com/costume/swolfpaw.jpg

He needs a few last details, and then I'll take a lot more photos of him, including a few of him worn, I think. But I'm starting to get caught up again, yay!

Comments

[silveradept]

Yay! Being caught up is always a good thing.

[kainhighwind-dr.livejournal.com]

Looks good! Really like the eye markings and bent-over ear.

[bladespark.livejournal.com]

Yeah, this is my second-favorite situation, working with a customer who has a really good design. (Favorite being working witha customer who has no design in mind, so I gett to come up with one, but that doesn't happen often in this market.)

[kainhighwind-dr.livejournal.com]

Yes but at least you still get to show how well you can produce what they envision, or can demonstrate skill with producing a polished final product. At least I think you do.

I imagine you don't get a blank slate often though, considering the usual purpose of the product (to depict someone's pre-conceived character design). I get a lot more leeway generally when it comes to books, covers and business IDs and such. That's a modest-sized 'generally.' ;)

[bladespark.livejournal.com]

Yep. Nature of furry, they all have their "fursonas" that they want just so.

However, I'm quite happy to work with that, even when I get a bad design, because THAT is what insures that China can't put me out of business. You simply can't mass-produce one-of-a-kind items like these, so the costs will always stay high enough for me to live off of.

[kainhighwind-dr.livejournal.com]

Yes indeed, that's a good point. And judging from the quality of costumes on the racks in commercial outlets, you definitely have NOTHING to worry about. ¬_¬

That's how I have to promote my end products too, as one-of-a-kind unique brands for whatever they're trying to sell. I don't 'do' the template thing, per se (save for the unique one I make for each and every individual book for my own sanity when setting things up!) And it's the kind of premise that attracts the best kind of clients too, so... I don't really care about the ones who are determined to get the best price (and worst service) overseas.

In my case, I lose business to India, chiefly. The bastards go around stealing example brochures, logos and other materials from other designers to use as templates for all their work, too. I wouldn't mind their competition so much if it weren't for that. But, what can you do? You can pick up printed matter anywhere and produce something generically the same without consequence, sadly. So long as you change the fonts and pics, really. But then that's the fault of the industry and clients' perception that it has to look like 'everyone else's' to be considered professional.

Like I said, good clients are willing to pay good money for service and quality that doesn't come out of a cereal box. And I am also sure in your case, since most of your clients are into their suits for more than just a leisurely or one-time event, they're willing to cough up larger sums for a good quality item.

*LOL* The day fursuits and custom-designed books and art come out of cereal boxes and into your breakfast bowl is the day to be very afraid... and perplexed... 0_o