CA Commission Work & Client Relations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A new client insists on paying 100% of a commission fee only upon final delivery. What is the standard industry practice?
- Accept full payment at delivery to build trust
- Require a non-refundable deposit (typically 25–50%) upfront (Correct answer)
- Invoice only after the client has approved all revisions
- Allow payment in installments with no upfront deposit
Correct answer: Require a non-refundable deposit (typically 25–50%) upfront
Industry standard is to collect a non-refundable deposit upfront to secure the artist's time and reduce risk of non-payment.
Question 2: During a commission, a client's feedback becomes increasingly vague and changes direction repeatedly. What is the most effective strategy?
- Continue working and present options at the end
- Schedule a synchronous call to clarify vision before proceeding (Correct answer)
- Terminate the contract immediately
- Submit work without addressing the feedback
Correct answer: Schedule a synchronous call to clarify vision before proceeding
A direct conversation is more efficient than email chains for resolving unclear feedback and re-aligning expectations.
Question 3: What does 'work-for-hire' mean in the context of a commission contract?
- The artist is paid hourly rather than by project
- The client owns the copyright to the work upon completion (Correct answer)
- The artist retains all rights but grants a license
- The artist works on-site at the client's location
Correct answer: The client owns the copyright to the work upon completion
Under a work-for-hire agreement, the copyright belongs to the commissioning party, not the artist who created it.
Question 4: An artist discovers mid-commission that the client plans to use the artwork for a purpose not stated in the original contract. What is the correct action?
- Allow it since the artwork is already partially made
- Renegotiate the contract terms to cover the additional use (Correct answer)
- Refuse delivery of all work and retain the deposit
- Ignore it as the artist's rights end at delivery
Correct answer: Renegotiate the contract terms to cover the additional use
Unauthorized use falls outside the agreed license; renegotiating ensures proper compensation and legal protection.
Question 5: Which of the following is the most professional way to handle a client who is consistently rude during the commission process?
- Respond rudely to establish boundaries
- Document the interactions and issue a formal warning referencing contract conduct clauses (Correct answer)
- Continue working without addressing the behavior
- Immediately post screenshots of the conversation publicly
Correct answer: Document the interactions and issue a formal warning referencing contract conduct clauses
Documenting incidents and referencing contract conduct clauses keeps the process professional and creates a record if termination becomes necessary.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of showing a client a 'rough sketch' or 'thumbnail' stage before proceeding with a full commission?
- To charge an additional sketch fee
- To gain client approval on composition and direction before investing more time (Correct answer)
- To demonstrate technical skill early in the process
- To fulfill a legal requirement for commission work
Correct answer: To gain client approval on composition and direction before investing more time
Early approval of rough sketches prevents wasted effort and ensures both parties are aligned before detailed work begins.
Question 7: A client requests that an artist reproduce a copyrighted character (e.g., a Disney character) in a commissioned piece. What should the artist do?
- Complete it since it is a private commission
- Decline, as reproducing copyrighted characters without license is infringement (Correct answer)
- Charge a higher fee to offset the legal risk
- Create it but watermark it heavily
Correct answer: Decline, as reproducing copyrighted characters without license is infringement
Reproducing copyrighted characters without authorization constitutes copyright infringement regardless of whether the commission is private.
CA Commission Work & Client Relations 3
A new client insists on paying 100% of a commission fee only upon final delivery.
What is the standard industry practice?