Advice Requested - OSU quandary

You're not stupid or ridiculous. Money is money. But Ohio State is Ohio State. I'd say over charge the guy, and make the damn thing...BUT only if you insert some subliminal or hard to notice Michigan flag/color/image.

You know what I mean? Perhaps even something to the tune of that Salvador Dali painting...
http://www.authenticsociety.com/img/Dali.Gala.Lincoln.20meters.jpg

Ask for an exorbitant amount. If he agrees, then do the image but sneak in something hidden but obscene and/or derogatory about tOSU.

If the guy is going to pay you and you're going to make the wallpaper, don't go putting M stuff in it. That's kind of just being a dick and ripping him off.

If you really want/need the money, do it. Personally, I'd stay true to my roots.

money. If it's easy enough to make a quick buck why not do it?

have you posted any new UM wallpapers lately?

If you want to be fair, I'd say you'd only agree to do a banner/image that is neutral, containing both Michigan and Ohio State players at the line of scrimmage, with legendary coaches faded in the background.

You have to appreciate Buckeye fans who aren't utter douchebags. They can be hard to come by.

Also, there's a precedent for OSU taking concepts that originated from Wolverine creativity. I believe the script "Ohio" they love so much was first performed by the Michigan band as a gesture of sportsmanship (correct me if I'm wrong).

isn't everything. You'll feel dirty the next morning.

If that doesn't work for you, just be straight with him: say that you can't in good conscience accept money for a job whose purpose you don't really believe in or share. I'm a graphic designer when I'm not wasting time here, and I was approached by a guy running for political office a couple of years ago to do some campaign materials for him. As his party affiliation and beliefs were at the opposite end of the spectrum from mine, I was honest with him and said thanks but no thanks. He appreciated the honesty.

Ask for a fair $$, and then do a good job of it. I hate the Buckeyes just as much as any of us, but I would love to see a fellow Wolverine make some $$...plus, you can't fault a guy for reaching out to an arch rival fan for a job.

You should be flattered that he even asked (as I'm sure you are).

Obviously make sure that you keep Michigan out of it unless it is a neutral wallpaper (no Troy Smith etc.)

but I'll say it anyway.

Make sure you get the money FIRST.

Just be fair, business is business.

Dude. Bo fucking Schembechler had a degree from Ohio State and cherished his pair of Gold Pants for beating Michigan for his entire life. We need to cool it the rivalry shtick sometimes... money is money and business is business. He sounds like a good dude, give him a fair price and give him what he asked for. Being a douche because of freaking football is exactly what so many give Buckeye fans shit about.

If it's that easy, just do it for free and prove that true MICHIGAN MEN are courteous souls.

I would do propaganda posters for the Nazis if they were paying me.

I'm kidding. But really, you should do it for the Buckeye.

I like the idea of taking $ from the state of Ohio. If I were you, I would make the banner for a fair market price, but hide something in one of the PS layers that has the victors, go blue or something of that nature. Think of it like what is done on paper money where the denomination is printed so small you are not able to see it unless under a microscope. Just a thought.

is what is a fair market value for a wallpaper? Maybe a comparable would be if you are making something high-enough resolution that he could get it printed and frame it or something?

I guess I've always just been lucky and able to get wallpapers for free / just use pictures or whatever, so I don't know what would be a relevant charge.

If you need some intellectual cover, think back to the ads that Microsoft, or some Windows based company did a while back, that were later found to have been created on Apple computers.

(Please, please, please don't let this descend into Mac vs. Windows shit, as that's entirely not my point)

Be generous. What comes around, goes around. Maybe in the form of a win in late November.......

charge $19.69

"$29 or two for $50!"

get the $$ up front

A nice courteous OSU fan would have me suspicious and it would be just like them to have you make it and not pay you and then spreadthe walpaper and the story all over the place.

Eh, you might as well do it.

Edit: +1 for use of "quandary."

Do what you gotta do. If it puts food on to table, pays the bills, and its legal, DO IT! GOD BLESS!

Take a leaf out of the book of the company that manufactures the MMB Drum Major's mace. The company that used to make them for us closed down, so we got a contract with a new manufacture who is based in Ohio, and the maces they makes for us have "Go Bucks, Beat Michigan!" (or something to that affect) engraved on them.

It's only fair if you do the same thing.

I read this earlier tonight, and thought, "No way."

However, I just had a respectable Facebook conversation with a Buckeye fan who messaged me after I voted in some random poll. (I cited the MMB's firsts, out of everything they've done, and proceeded to argue why they're superior to OSU's Marching Band.)

Then, he friend requested me, and after a few leery moments (hey, he did compliment Michigan in the message), I decided to accept his friend request. All in all, he just seemed more pro-Big Ten than anything else.

Hey, what the hell, maybe some of them are decent after all?

Now, if this turns around to bite you in the ass, the same thing could very well happen to me, then you'll regret it later.

I'd do it - as long as it didn't include any images of OSU players making plays against Michigan.

Hide some type of virus in the file that does one of the following:
a) infiltrates his computer and spreads to IP addresses in Ohio and locks the computer with a Woodson/favourable M moment screenshot
b) after a specific time period changes images favourable to M

I would not charge a fee for this service.

There's a lot of differing opinions in this thread, but I generally agree with those that say do it, and do it for free. As you stated in your OP:

An OSU fan emailed with what seemed honest praise out of nowhere. He was very polite. I thanked him for his kind words and thought that was that.

As you stated later in this thread:

I don't need the money at all (unless he is talking some exorbitant amount of money, but really...)

It's more the idea that someone is willing to pay for something I do free anyway, and I'm turning it down.

If you do it for free, do it for free. I don't know if this is related to a line of work you already do or plan to do, but this is more about establishing contacts, networking and getting your work out there. So what if he's a Buckeye? He sounds like a decent, respect football fan, even it's of a rival team (yes, these Buckeye fans do exist), and that's what counts; not the colors of the jerseys you wear on fall Saturdays. Here you are football fans, not rivals. Do it, do a damn good job as you do, and be proud of your work.

I was pimping you on other sites big time. I think you know who I am when I say that. Your work is second to none. Mona Lisa with a Winged Helmet and looking Evil.

This may also be a networking opportunity. You do it, do it to the bestest of your abilities, and who knows where it will take you? Today, a favor for a Buckeye. Tomorrow, the top wallpaper company in the world, and dinner with Vladimir Putin and Hugo Chavesz!