Member Benefits – Information Sources

Everything you need to know – The Guild News

The Guild’s bimonthly newsletter, Guild News, covers important and relevant issues, such as copyright law, legislative initiatives, event calendars, book reviews, and other items of interest to artists.

 Members are invited to submit articles or request topics. Extra copies of the Guild News are usually available from the National Office. Non-members may subscribe by sending $12.00 to: Guild News, Graphic Artists Guild, Inc. 32 Broadway, Suite 1114, New York, NY 10004-1612.

Know What’s Going On In Your Backyard

Most Chapters publish their own online newsletters with information on local events and programs. Participate by mailing in interesting stories, reprints of important articles you’ve read, artwork, announcements and notices about your achievements. Chapter newsletters are entirely volunteer-produced, so we need you. Contact your Chapter to obtain information or to volunteer. Click here for chapter information.

The Definitive Pricing Guide –  The Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing & Ethical Guidelines, 12th edition

The Pricing & Ethical Guidelines Handbook is the industry bible, containing information all graphic artists and their clients need to know. This edition has been thoroughly revised and updated to provide all the information you need to compete in an industry moving at lightning speed. The 12th edition includes:

• The latest market information for nearly every design field.
• An expanded and updated Website design and development chapter.
• Totally revised chapter on technology.
• More background on how graphic designers work.
• A totally new, in-depth discussion of contracts.
• Copyright issues in the exploding global market.
• Updates on recent court decisions and legislation affecting artwork and design.
• Character and merchandise licensing.
• A completely updated chapter on surface design.

How to Use the Book Effectively

So much information is packed into Pricing & Ethical Guidelines that you may miss important stuff if you rush to the contracts and pricing sections without meandering through the other sections. We suggest reading the book cover to cover and becoming familiar with issues that affect all disciplines. (Keep it in the bathroom and every time you sit down for a read, tackle one chapter. You’ll learn a lot and have it done in no time.)

At the very least, read the introduction of every chapter; it will orient you and give you a hint about what’s available in that chapter. Without familiarizing yourself with the background material, it is difficult to absorb the work descriptions, price information, or contract language.

Once you’re familiar with what’s in the book and how it’s organized, you’ll find it’s easy to locate specific contracts. For instance, the Standard Contracts chapter gives you and your clients a thorough review of your rights and obligations. Before using or adapting any of the contracts, make sure you read the copy explaining what contracts are and how you can use them to help your business. Feel free to copy the contracts directly onto your own letterhead or you can modify them to suit specific needs and circumstances. But be aware that the Guild's general counsel has reviewed the contract language; so if you make extensive changes, you might change the legal meaning.

Note: Members of the staff are neither authorized nor qualified to discuss pricing or technical questions over the phone.

Disclaimer: All items are subject to change without notice. The Guild and all parties mentioned here cannot be held responsible for any changes occurring after publication.