Aidan Campbell

Commissioning any kind of work is very much a two way process of negotiation between client and supplier. Though almost inevitably the first question asked is “How much will it cost?” My standard reply is always that “…...a job costs as much as a client wants to spend, and that they'll get the quality they pay for.” The purpose of the negotiation is for the client to put across in as much or as little detail as they wish, the nature of what they want making. Myself, as the producer will try to offer guidance on what can and can’t be achieved within different budgets or timescales and suggest how the size, materials cost, detail or level of refinement will impact on the overall time or cost of the project. Once I feel both parties have a sufficient understanding of each others requirements and constraints I’ll ask the client to set the budget for the project, and I’ll then work to the limits of that budget.

In terms of reference material I always stipulate the client is responsible for supplying all photographs, drawings, plans or other reference material to be used in a project. I am quite happy to work from the vaguest of themes and nothing more than a few words given over the telephone, but if it is important to a client that a project includes a certain feature, or is completed in a certain way then they must provide me with clear references illustrating exactly what they require. I will not be held accountable should I fail to include or inaccurately reproduce any aspect of any project the client has not previously given me clear references for. For these reasons it is normal for clients to provide relevant reference materials at an early stage in negotiating the exact cost and nature of a commission.

With regard to timescale and completion dates I work on a wide variety of projects for a wide range of clients and as such it is quite common for me to have a lead in time before I can actually start a new project. Whilst I will always try to be as flexible as I can with respect to meeting client's deadlines it may not always be possible to take on new work at short notice. My standard method of working is to request that clients contact me as early as they can and that they pay a small deposit to book a timeslot in my busy commissions diary.

It’s difficult to give any more useful advice here as the very nature of bespoke commissioned work is that every piece is different, dictated primarily by the client’s requirements . However, for those interested in samples of previous projects my commissions gallery has illustrations of a wide variety of my work. So, irrespective of whether you are a private collector, a manufacturer/retailer or a large museum/corporation every commission starts with a first, often rather general and tentative enquiry. My contact details, are here so get in touch and let me know the sort of project you are thinking about.

For full terms and conditions detailing my commissioned miniature art and craft work click here to download the relevant pdf document.

For full terms and conditions detailing our reproduction Historic cloth co-operative projects click here to download the relevant pdf document.

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