Cost of development for custom typeface

Rodrigo Saiani

Hi,
I'm quoting the design of a typeface based on lettering from an art director, and would like to ask the board members how you approach this kind of situation. Do you make it exclusive for X years and then release it commercially? What if the initial sketch idea comes from an art director? If you offer it for sale after the exclusivity period, do you split the royalties with the art director?
I know it may depend on a lot of variables, so maybe illustrating with particular cases you've run into would help.

Thanks!
Rodrigo

Nick Shinn

If it’s someone else’s design, I would not publish it commercially.
But I did once make an exception with an artist’s calligraphy, where quite a bit of interpretation was required, and I felt I added something to it creatively, rather than just being a technician. She's also a friend.
http://www.myfonts.com/fonts/shinn/duffy-script/

Rodrigo Saiani

Thanks for that Nick, this is the dilemma indeed. The question for me is: if I charge too high to design the typeface from the lettering exclusively for him, the client won't be able to commission the project. If I charge too little and can't explore the typeface commercially afterwards, it's not worth it for me. This fine balance is what I'm concerned with.

The starting point is a piece of lettering with just enough information to make a typeface out of it. I'll have to do it all from scratch based on that but definitely not being just a technician.

Nick Shinn

In that case, offer your client several options.
e.g. ownership, 2-year exclusivity, or five year exclusivity.
If the art director has an interesting name, name the typeface after them.

Jackson Showalter-Cavanaugh

With these kind of projects I usually decide there isn't enough commercial appeal to bother with limited exclusivity and only offer a buy-out price.

George Thomas

I had a very similar situation years ago so I would like to add this: only do it with a written agreement specifying in detail each party's contribution to the project as well as each party's rights to the completed project, plus anything else you can think of that might be contested.

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Rodrigo Saiani

James, in your experience, they walk away with your work and you with your money or they walk away without a font and you without your Money?

Jackson Showalter-Cavanaugh

^^^ Yes.

Rodrigo Saiani

Yes means option 1 or 2 Jackson?

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Rodrigo Saiani

Appreciate the insights! Thanks