Access Requested

To my fellow freelance creatives,

Know and define your usage rights. Keep your working files unless stipulated in the contract. Hand over all deliverables, not your working files, unless it's part of the contract/agreement.

Why?

Because that's the sauce, your working file gives insight into your thinking process and enables a client to make a derivative of your work without you. That usually isn't a big deal for most creatives, but it is when you step back and look at the value you're providing a client, not just through the work you've done and they're using but the foundation they can build upon. You, as the designer/creative, should be compensated for that. Remember, what you do is valuable.

Without a signed agreement or exclusive license, the general rule is your client will get only a nonexclusive license to use your work product. So let your clients know upfront (I need to be better at this myself) that it will be an additional cost if they require working/editable files that are not in the form of a template.

Too often, designers are taken advantage of. Regarding usage rights agreements, we should have different systems to protect our work, as photographers do.

Remember, my fellow designer, your design is valuable, and you should be compensated according to the value you create.