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Ask YC: Let my PSD go?

3 points by oldgregg ↗ HN
What is your take on design companies who will not give you the layered file? Is there ever a legitimate reason beyond CONTROL?

...after a recent experience I will never again let a designer hold me hostage by not turning over the PSD...

7 comments

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ydavid
A similar question would be: What is your take on programming companies that won't give you the source code on projects that you paid for?

There are legitimate business reasons to do these things but if you want to avoid the situation, make sure to have it clearly stated before the project begins that you expect to have full rights to the source files. Even better, include it in the contract. Or have it written up clearly and agreed to in an email before the project starts.

And if you ever have a wedding, the same thing applies for your wedding video or wedding photos. Work it out ahead of time that you will actually own the raw video or photo files.

And don't be surprised if the prices that you're quoted go up when you ask for these things. Often, contractors will quote low prices knowing that they will make more money in the long run from followup work. It's not wrong for contractors to do that, but it feels dishonest when it's not clearly explained ahead of time exactly what you're getting when you pay for contract work.

ScottWhigham
What is your take on programming companies that won't give you the source code on projects that you paid for?

A software company that won't turn over the source is going to resell/reuse that code. Your analogy implies that a design firm will reuse/resell the PSD and it's hardly a reusable item.

alaskamiller
If it's not in a contract, it's only out of good faith that they do so. Some shops are willing to give them to you but the price makes it tough.
thomasswift
I think is this sort of common practice, most contracts will state that the designer gets first dibs on redesign and this is one way they can protect that.

I think this might be more common for flash stuff and the designer keeping the fla and giving the swf away(obviously).

Next time you should clearly state that you want the psd's at the end, but be aware you most likely have to pay more, because the person is giving you the source.

ScottWhigham
I've done about 10 design projects and handing the PSD was (a) specified in the deal from the outset, and (b) I don't think there would have been a problem getting the PSD even if it wasn't in the "contract". Maybe "You can't have the PSD" is standard for big firms but it hasn't been the norm for small, 1-2 time projects that I've done.
LogicHoleFlaw
I wouldn't commission a piece of software without stipulating that I receive the full source code. It's the same for design, with me.

For the record, I think that the standard wedding photographer scheme is sleazy.

My data belongs to me.

gaius
It depends entirely on the contract.

For example, in photography, the photographer keeps the negatives (or .NEF files these days). What you get is the finished product - colour balanced, retouched, cropped, and probably actually only 5-10% of what was shot. That's what you're paying for, the final images. If you're the bride, then the photographer's business model is to give you a good price on shooting your wedding and make money on reprints. If you're an ad agency, the photographer licenses you the image for this campaign for this much time, because the business model is that that image will end up in a stock portfolio in a few years.

If you get the originals, and exclusive rights in perpetuity, then expect to pay a premium for it. It's up to you if you actually need them.