Designing for Friends and Family

A discussion that seems to come up often among designers is how to go about doing work for family and friends. Some say treat them like any other client, some say give them a discount, while others say avoid it at all costs. I've always felt this is a debate with a lot of gray area. Many variables come into play when deciding how to deal with this situation.

• What is your relationship with the person? Would you charge your sister anything to do a project, versus a distant relative or a family friend? It's a judgement call, but if you always give away your time, you won't be left with any to actually make some money.
  
  
• What type of work is it? You may be happy to do a favor (which can mean anything from a free project to a small discount) for a friend if it is a personal project for them, such as a wedding save-the-date. However, if a friend runs a successful business and is looking for a newsletter design that may in turn make him or her money, they should be happy to pay you for your time. Again, it's a judgement call.
  
  
• How much free time do you have? You don't want to end up overwhelmed with work, if some of that work is for free. If you do have free time, can you fit in a project or should you be spending that time seeking out paying clients?
  
  
• What is the benefit to you? Can the job lead to referrals? Is it a great portfolio piece? Can this friend or family member offer a service to you in return? It is not selfish to simply look at potential benefits of offering a discount to someone you know.
  
  
• Can the project add stress to your work and your relationship with this person?

Take all of these factors into account when considering working for a friend or family member. In the end, it is a personal decision. Remember, there's nothing wrong with getting paid by people close to you... after all, you are running a business. If you would like to help someone out but can't work for free, consider a discount as a compromise. Just be sure you are comfortable with the decision, and that you clearly explain your rationale to your potential friend and family clients.