Advice Requested - OSU quandary

Submitted by yvgeni on

As some of you may or may not know, I throw together some photoshop wallpapers every now and then and dabble in the occasional MGoblog banner contest.*

Anyway, I receive good feedback and requests every so often via email, but the most recent one has me really in a quandary.

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. He then responded again, and asked if I would do an Ohio State wallpaper and if so, how much I would charge...

So can you see my dilemma. He wants to pay, it's easy enough for me to do, but I just can't seem to bring myself to even think about doing it. The thought of staring at those putrid colors for hours makes me queasy...

Am I stupid or just ridiculous?

(*curse you Cook for taking away my greatest summer pleasure)

KBLOW

July 28th, 2009 at 8:40 PM ^

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

IM4UMich

July 28th, 2009 at 8:42 PM ^

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.

willywill9

July 28th, 2009 at 8:43 PM ^

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.

tk47

July 28th, 2009 at 8:45 PM ^

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).

Blazefire

July 28th, 2009 at 9:53 PM ^

Wikipedia says: "According to The Ohio State University Library, a similar floating formation was first performed during the 1932 season by the University of Michigan Marching band, however, it was a set-piece, instead of being formed through marching described below.[7][8]"

Punks can't even admit something in an encyclopedia.

yvgeni

July 28th, 2009 at 8:53 PM ^

agreed. 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.

But reality is, if it were an MSU fan, I wouldn't even consider it. I'd rather never photoshop again...

TIMMMAAY

July 28th, 2009 at 10:48 PM ^

I feel that in order to do a really good job in your field, (which you do)you have to put some feeling (no homo)into what you do. Anyone with good photoshop skills can put out a decent image, but if you can put some emotion into it the end product shows it.

Don

July 28th, 2009 at 8:46 PM ^

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.

Raback Omaba

July 28th, 2009 at 9:12 PM ^

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.)

Brodie

July 28th, 2009 at 9:35 PM ^

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.

Bryan

July 28th, 2009 at 10:23 PM ^

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.

pz

July 28th, 2009 at 10:25 PM ^

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.

WildcatBlue

July 28th, 2009 at 10:28 PM ^

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)

mtzlblk

July 28th, 2009 at 10:53 PM ^

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.

MMBhorn

July 28th, 2009 at 11:33 PM ^

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.

VictorsValiant09

July 28th, 2009 at 11:39 PM ^

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.

jaggs

July 29th, 2009 at 1:22 AM ^

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.

CPS

July 29th, 2009 at 2:38 AM ^

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.

TIMMMAAY

July 29th, 2009 at 8:02 AM ^

Really, I'm not a dick, but Yvgeni's talents and unique style should not be shared w/ our most hated rival. It should be reserved for the team he feels some passion for.

The King of Belch

July 29th, 2009 at 4:55 AM ^

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!