Over the weekend I had a very interesting conversation with a really close friend, and they were telling me a story about a friend of theirs who happens to be a the owner of a prominent hair solon, Hairstylist, an Artist. In the mist of the conversation I started to understand and design an idea about something that I have never articulated, because until now, I have not had a reference point OR a "mind shifting" experience that I could pull from. Well, thanks to the conversation that took place, I feel that I have what it takes to describe and idea that for all intents and purposes, I am going to call...
The Designers Clock
About two years ago, I got into a "word match" with a design project client about my fees that I will never forget. At that time my fee was 120.00USD/hr and for the life of them, they could NOT understand why I charge so much for my craft, my ART. To them, 120.00USD was far too much for me to be charging for the "work" that they "perceived" me doing. Most people look at the "art of earning" as follows: "trade of skill and time for dollars" or....
Skill + Time = X
This model is perfect for occupations that require what I call "hand to end result" or "mind to end result" productivity. In other words, IF what is being traded, the task at hand, has a very defined and structured "end result", the model of "trade of skill and time for dollars" model is perfect. However; there is a different model, and most Artist will fall into this category, and it looks more like this...
Skill + Passion + Soul + Spirit / Time = X
This model suggest that the artist, the "creator", invest more into the window of time than simply his or her "ability" or "skill" BUT they invest very intimate and inward parts of who they are. These investments compound the time, and where what's being discussed is 1 hour, the true discussion is much more. Let me try and use the story my friend told me to illustrate this...
The Hairstylist had decided that he was going home at a predetermined time, however; a client (another artist) called in and asked if he could see her for a hair drying. Based on the idea that it was JUST a hair drying, the Hairstylist agreed to go over his predetermined time. Upon arrival the client asked if he could also do her bangs, and he (the Hairstylist) refused. He told the client that he was already extending his time, and he would not be able to do the bangs... The Client get's upset and suggest the idea that because she is an artist and he is an artist he should understand going the extra mile and making the client "happy". The Hairstylist stood his ground and reiterated the fact that she was spilling over into his time, and that he would not do the bangs... Long story short, the client get's upset (though her hair upon completion was immaculate) and the Hairstylist was left feeling confused about why this artist could not understand his art...
In this instance you had one artist applying the Skill + Time = X model, and not thinking about the Skill + Passion + Soul + Spirit / Time = X model. While the Hairstylist was actually saying ...
"Ms. client, I have had my soul, my passion, my spirit and all that I am engaged my art all day, and I honestly need to rest..."
The client was saying
"Mr. Hairstylist, I am here for a seemingly simple task that should only take you 15 more minutes..."
SO they were speaking two distinctly different languages.
The Designers Clock is comprised of much more than just skill and time. It's compounded by a soulful investment, that authenticates the designers craft and makes them who they are. In the frame of "time" a true Artist will transcend the obvious trade of skill/time balance and enter a space that calls for a much greater investment that can only been seen with the naked eye AFTER the "work" is done...
Vincent creates not only a beautiful, amazing, one of a kind design; he captures the essence of a person and the vision. He does not just create with his head, he creates with his heart and soul, with passion, bringing concepts to life!" Staci J. Shelton, Visionary. Life-Enthusiast. Communicator. Dreamscaper. Free-Thinker Energy-Changer...Consultant
So, when you ask a true Artist to give you just "15 more minutes" OR when you can not understand the audacity of their fees - think about the totality of the investments, the "creators cost"... The Designers Clock.