Working with artists

When approaching creatives to commission new work for your cause, be prepared, be professional, and always have the right attitude – treat creatives as equals, not as people who are there to execute your vision. We strongly encourage you to use The Greats website as a resource and a guide to artists you can commission for your next project. Nonprofits need creatives who care, and The Greats’ artists have again and again shown the vastness of their hearts. Alternatively, Behance or Dribble are also good places to start your search for a creative.

Key recommendations:

Prepare a written creative brief. A brief is a short description of expected outcomes, related to a communication project, and ways of achieving them (1-2 pages). Things to have in mind when preparing your brief: What do you need done? When do you need it? How will it be used? Provide references/examples and provide specifications. Part of the reward of writing a good brief is receiving good work. A good brief also saves a lot of time spent correcting proposals. While the brief clarifies the expectations, every project rests on collaboration. Don’t tell the artists what to do, give them the necessary creative space to offer you new ideas.

Sign a contract with the artist. The contract should cover your rights of use for the produced work. It is also a great occasion to clarify the parameters of the work being done - how many proposals to expect, how many rounds of modifications.

When giving feedback: always start with something positive. It doesn’t mean you have to accept off-brief work. Ask the artist to justify puzzling choices. Point to your brief and contract if necessary. Motivate your decisions.