In the world of design, the provision of native design files to clients is a topic that often sparks debate between design agencies and their clients. The Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA) sheds light on the importance of native design files and why clients should consider paying for access to these valuable assets. One key aspect highlighted by AGDA is that the design hours billed by agencies typically do not include the release of native files, which are essential for retaining intellectual property (IP) rights over the design.
Design agencies invest significant time and expertise in creating bespoke designs for their clients. From initial concept development to final execution, the design process involves meticulous attention to detail and skillful use of design software tools. The final deliverables provided to clients are often in non-editable formats such as JPEG or PDF, which are suitable for most purposes but lack the flexibility and scalability of native design files.
Native design files, created in software like Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop, contain editable layers, vector shapes, and other elements that allow for easy customisation, resizing, and editing. These files are crucial for clients who wish to retain control over their design assets, make future modifications, or ensure consistency across different platforms and media.
Despite the benefits of providing clients with native design files, design agencies should be hesitant to release them without an additional fee. This is where the issue of intellectual property rights comes into play. Design agencies retain IP rights over the designs they create, and the release of native files grants clients access to these valuable assets.
AGDA emphasises that the design hours billed by agencies typically cover the time and resources expended in the design process, but most often does not include the release of native files. Providing clients with native files requires additional effort to organise, prepare, and deliver the files, which may not be fully accounted for in the standard design fee.
By transparently communicating the value of native design files to clients and outlining a separate fee for their release, design agencies can ensure that clients understand the significance of retaining access to their design assets. This approach not only benefits clients by empowering them to make future edits and updates to their designs but also allows design agencies to protect their intellectual property rights and maintain a mutually beneficial relationship with their clients.
In the end, the release of native design files is a valuable asset that clients should consider investing in to retain control over their design assets and ensure future flexibility and scalability. AGDA’s insights underscore the importance of transparent communication and fair compensation for the release of native files, ultimately fostering a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship between design agencies and their clients. To find out more contact Fresco today!