Unusual Upwork: Sharing Our Quirkiest Client Requests

[#1]

What's the strangest job request you've ever received on Upwork? Share your funny or bizarre freelancing stories!"

[#2]

Hi Shruti,

Great topic! 

One of the most unusual requests I’ve received was from a client who wanted a custom illustration of a fictional character that combined elements of several different myths and legends. They had a very specific vision but kept changing the details, which made the project quite a creative puzzle!

It was a great exercise in flexibility and creative problem-solving, and it ended up being one of my favorite projects.

[#3]

Unique requests can push your creative boundaries and lead to innovative work. It can inspire you to develop distinctive styles and techniques. 

[#4]

Does being hired by a terrorist cell to write propaganda count as a quirky experience?

[#5]

Propaganda involves the dissemination of information, including facts, arguments, rumors, or even lies, to influence public opinion . This can be ethically questionable, especially when associated with radical ideologies.

[#6 · Accepted solution]

Quirky isn't the word I would use, but a few years back, a very odd and eccentric client asked me to make alterations to a custom Daz 3D character for a book. He paid me in advance and said that we'll need to revise this character as he develops a backstory over the course of a few months. Now this character was a rather attractive and busty female so I was mentally preparing myself for very weird instructions.

To my surprize, she was very elegant, modest and had to wear specific colours down to the hex code. He even had reference drawings for the Iris patterns and was specific on how many lines she should have on the Sclera.

One day I told him that I loved the intricacy and detail of her design and he completely lost it! 

He sent me a huge mail saying that I wasn't allowed to look at her in such a personal and almost perverted way, and that he'll pay me for the project file so he can free her from the prison on my desk. 

Months later he mailed to tell me that she died and thought I deserved to know as I had feelings for her. 🤣

[#7]

Haha, wow, that is both oddly specific and wildly entertaining! I never realized a 3D character could need rescuing from the 'prison of your desk!' At least he was kind enough to inform you of her 'passing'—who knew we'd be navigating emotional farewells to fictional characters in this line of work?"😃

[#8]

Indeed. I have to admit that I was quite entertained by his fallout though. 🤣 
Although the project ended up with some conflict, it was a very welcome learning curve for me and helped me to understand how immersed creative writers can get when creating. He spoke of her like she was a very real and temperamental person and I think that realizing her in 3D was either a psychological tipping point for him or just part of his creative process. Similar to what method actors do for a role. Either way, I was fascinated and somewhat inspired by the amount of passion he had for something he created from nothing. 
I never found out what became of this project though, only that another artist I refered him to asked me to never send writers her way again. 🤣
 

[#9]

Hi Shruti,

I've got a good one for ya. I had a client I draft renders for, who wanted a very specific design related to modern luxury homes.  I wouldn't say this is quirky I'd say more so it was very odd and slightly uncomfortable. The client was satisfied with my work, we ended the contract and they left 5 stars.  About a week later I received a knock on my door. It was my clients assistant who presented me with a box of goodies and a reservation on an airline to go see them. Unfortunately I was so booked I couldn't pull away from my other clients work so I had to decline. A month later I get another invite. Suffice to say this led to a not so great ending to our relationship. I would love to prioritize clients but not at the expense of my existing clients.

[#10]

Wow, that’s quite an interesting experience! It’s great that your work resonated with the client to the point that they went the extra mile to show their appreciation. Prioritizing client relationships is important, but as you said, not at the expense of your existing work.It’s always a challenge to navigate these kinds of situations.