Balanced contracts + Fair compensation = Better terms in design assignments!
Written agreements are a way of creating security for both designers and clients. There has long been a lack of guidelines and recommendations for agreements in this area, which is why Konstnärernas Riksorganisation (Artists’ Association of Sweden) is now launching Recommendations for Design Agreements – to provide support and advice to designers and clients in the preparation and implementation of a design assignment.
The recommendations are based on a 2018 survey of 657 professional designers. The survey shows, for example, that six out of ten designers often do not have written contracts for their work and that 80% operate wholly or partly through sole traders and therefore have unlimited personal financial responsibility for their business. As sole traders, they are particularly exposed to the financial risks that can arise from cancelled assignments, or extended assignments without compensation, assignments paid only by future (low) royalties and unreasonable transfer of rights. In support of better terms and fair compensation, new, mandatory provisions will also be introduced in the Copyright Act in 2022. These changes are based on a European directive, implemented in all EU countries.
Konstnärernas Riksorganisation (the Artists’ Association of Sweden) represents 3 400 professional artists, craftsmen and designers in Sweden. We work for artistic freedom and fair conditions and are responsible for acting as a referral body and political actor also in areas specific to visual artists, designers and craftspeople:
- Strengthening the role of designers in negotiations with clients and developing cooperation between designers and clients.
- Strengthening the designer's ability to clarify his/her competence and the understanding of the designer's competence and professional role.
- Creating guidelines and principles that all actors in the design field can relate to and refer to, for example in negotiations.
