Client is sending confusing specs for magazin...

daydreamdesigns · ‎02-18-2019

I don't have much experience with magazine/book layout design, but I do have experience setting files up for produciton for other types of media.

Client is looking for a 2 page spread for a magazine. I asked the dimensions because I know there is a standard, but not all magazines are the same size.

the response is 11x17 with a 1" bleed

I'm pretty sure each page is not 11x17 .. is it normal to make the document size to include both pages? Also, a 1" bleed seems excessive. Am I wrong?

I asked for a previous indesign file so I could see what was happening, but they sen't me one I couldn't open. When I asked for a new one (saved as CS6 - I haven't upgraded to CC yet) they said "The full spread is 11x17 whatever you end up doing I’ll make it work within my specs"

Maybe I should just not worry about it then, but I'm a little miffed!

Any advice?

Thanks in advance

lysis10 · ‎02-18-2019

I'd probably go spring for the CC software and then write it off on my taxes. Isn't it like $40 for a month? Open file and get the stuffs.

That's what I'd do anyway.

daydreamdesigns · ‎02-18-2019

I should also mention this is a $20 job, just started on upwork and need reviews!

daydreamdesigns · ‎02-18-2019

Unrelated question: can clients see these posts? I tried to find that answer, but didn't see anything.

jr-translation · ‎02-18-2019

Kendra C wrote:
Unrelated question: can clients see these posts? I tried to find that answer, but didn't see anything.

Yes, this is an open forum.

prestonhunter · ‎02-18-2019

re: "Unrelated question: can clients see these posts? I tried to find that answer, but didn't see anything."

ANYONE can read these posts.

Statistically speaking, your client does NOT visit the Community Forum and will NOT read anything you post here.

But those are just the odds. Your client COULD read the Forum if he wanted to.

tlbp · ‎02-19-2019

Kendra C wrote:
I should also mention this is a $20 job, just started on upwork and need reviews!

This is how this experience is going to go down...

You took a job for which you admit you don't have the knowledge or experience
You took a job for which you don't have the basic tools--clients are going to expect a design contractor to have access to CC
You aren't able to communicate clearly with your client about the requirements (because they may be subcontracting or because you don't have the appropriate knowledge to know what questions to ask)
The client is cheap

All this adds up to, you are going to get a bad review if you are lucky. If you are unlucky, you'll be asked to issue a full refund and have a no-earnings contract on your record.

Cheap clients are not kind and patient clients. No clients are here to pay for freelancers to practice. Some of the worst experiences I've had involved contracts where I thought, "Well I can do X so I can probably handle Y." Don't test your skills on a contract that can affect your ability to earn future gigs.

daydreamdesigns · ‎02-19-2019

Tonya P wrote:
Kendra C wrote:
I should also mention this is a $20 job, just started on upwork and need reviews!
This is how this experience is going to go down...

You took a job for which you admit you don't have the knowledge or experience
You took a job for which you don't have the basic tools--clients are going to expect a design contractor to have access to CC
You aren't able to communicate clearly with your client about the requirements (because they may be subcontracting or because you don't have the appropriate knowledge to know what questions to ask)
The client is cheap
All this adds up to, you are going to get a bad review if you are lucky. If you are unlucky, you'll be asked to issue a full refund and have a no-earnings contract on your record.

Cheap clients are not kind and patient clients. No clients are here to pay for freelancers to practice. Some of the worst experiences I've had involved contracts where I thought, "Well I can do X so I can probably handle Y." Don't test your skills on a contract that can affect your ability to earn future gigs.

Actually, the job went extremely well! Delivered the files on time, client was happy, got paid, got a good review AND client asked me to do another project =D

tlbp · ‎02-19-2019

Kendra C wrote:
Tonya P wrote:
Kendra C wrote:
I should also mention this is a $20 job, just started on upwork and need reviews!
This is how this experience is going to go down...

You took a job for which you admit you don't have the knowledge or experience
You took a job for which you don't have the basic tools--clients are going to expect a design contractor to have access to CC
You aren't able to communicate clearly with your client about the requirements (because they may be subcontracting or because you don't have the appropriate knowledge to know what questions to ask)
The client is cheap
All this adds up to, you are going to get a bad review if you are lucky. If you are unlucky, you'll be asked to issue a full refund and have a no-earnings contract on your record.

Cheap clients are not kind and patient clients. No clients are here to pay for freelancers to practice. Some of the worst experiences I've had involved contracts where I thought, "Well I can do X so I can probably handle Y." Don't test your skills on a contract that can affect your ability to earn future gigs.

Actually, the job went extremely well! Delivered the files on time, client was happy, got paid, got a good review AND client asked me to do another project =D

You are officially an Upwork unicorn. :unicorn_face:

daydreamdesigns · ‎02-19-2019

I'm a unicorn in real life too 😃

vsalinitro · ‎02-18-2019

First of all, you really need to update to CC, working with older versions of Indesign is not really feasible (especially Indesign). You could ask the client to export an IDML for you.

The 1 inch it's far too much for a magazine, but that doesn't really matter as it can be overridden during the export. And regarding the document size most probably they are considering the 2 pages together.

daydreamdesigns · ‎02-18-2019

Thanks Valerio!

Is that a common thing, to ask for the 2 pages together? I feel like it makes more sense to have the pages separate, but maybe that's just me.

vsalinitro · ‎02-18-2019

Usually, makes more sense to have separate pages, I would just create a document with facing pages for a total width of 17''.

dzadza · ‎02-19-2019

yes, it's a standard - to provide 2 page spread with bleed (because of the paper fold)

and the size is standard - tabloid (2 letter)

I don't know what the project was about, but $20 budget sounds silly...

daydreamdesigns · ‎02-19-2019

Ok good to know thanks!

This is my third job on upwork so I feel like I'm having to take all the low paying gigs to start out, but luckily I was really into the content so it was fun.

atreglia · ‎02-18-2019

Hi Kendra....

Just to add, I'd also advise you to upgrade to CC, if possible. Not sure if taxes vary amongst the states for the subscription, but here in NJ I pay a total of $56.50 per month for the entire suite and for me it's worth it as I never have to worry if I can open and work on a clients file. I also deduct it on my taxes.

daydreamdesigns · ‎02-18-2019

Thanks Anna,

I just got laid off at work where I normally have CC, so I'm sort of weighing my options if I should just go freelance or if I should get another regular job. If I take the plunge, I would invest!

Anna T wrote:
Hi Kendra....
Just to add, I'd also advise you to upgrade to CC, if possible. Not sure if taxes vary amongst the states for the subscription, but here in NJ I pay a total of $56.50 per month for the entire suite and for me it's worth it as I never have to worry if I can open and work on a clients file. I also deduct it on my taxes.

Client is sending confusing specs for magazine