We’re too happy doing the work to charge by the hour

Jonathan Ford raises a point about designers being afraid to charge a fee (DW 13 January 2005), but isn’t the underlying reason that, unlike accountants or lawyers who might charge for every hour spent,

all designers enjoy putting in the work? While Ford might seek a clarification of standards, I feel a relaxation of protocol should be in

order. How can such an indefinable, individual process as design be constrained by standard company procedure or charge out rates? Clients expect, and should be more than happy to pay well for, valuable results that they cannot necessarily buy off the shelf.

Tom Collings

Freelance

Bristol