absorb
May 25, 2005

You've seen it a million times before at the footer of websites, "Website designed by XXX Design Company".

What does everyone think of them?

Do you ask your clients first or do you just put them there because everyone else does?

Is it something that you negotiate and include in a contract?

Have you ever had to remove any after client complaints?

They are a pet hate for me and have never used them, even though the inbound links would be great for SEO.

Barry
May 26, 2005

I have to say, I'm not a fan. But it makes Matt and Karl's work real easy to spot :)

frakture
May 30, 2005

Design by.. probaly the best way to advertise your work. I've had clients complaign in the past, but i do have a selection of variant "Designed by/Site by" watermarks to choose from :p

Pete
May 30, 2005

It totally depends on the client I think.
Sites under the e-govt guidelines aren't allowed to credit their makers, some design companies might not want to associated with the client in a public way or their client may see a link to an external site as diluting their brand.

newy
May 30, 2005

not sure I agree with you romain - nike and huffer t's don't have a byline saying designed by so and so under the logo!? not quite sure if this is the same thing... and ... there is perhaps a slight difference between authors and painters signing work!?
- graphic designers don't seem to add 'authorship' to every printed publication- does any designer really need to sign their work?

ross
May 30, 2005

Newy - Actually print design and collatoral will often include design credits. You just need to know where to look ;)

Pete - Never come across any rules on the e-gov guidelines restricting acknowledgements. Care to point me in right direction?

newy
May 30, 2005

Thanks ross - my point was more about the t-shirts! ... and I said \"...g. desingers don\'t seem to add \'authorship\' to every printed publication...\" as in okay there are often credits but not as prolific as say art - but, I like your comment; \"just need to know where to look\" - wouldn\'t that suggest credits on websites are a bit in your face compared to those in \'print design and collatoral\' !?

che
June 2, 2005

I'm not sure about the whole "print design and collatoral will often include design credits". I think it really depends on the type of print material you're talking about. CDs? (Often) Handbills and posters? (Sometimes) Annual reports? (Unlikely) Beer bottle labels? (Nup)

Similarly, there are sites that you expect to see "designed by" on, and sites you don't. In my experience, the more the client pays, and the more the client values their brand, the less likely you are to see the designer giving themselves keyword-rich props in the footer!

When people wear Nike or Huffer tees, they are (a) hoping some of that cool huffy nike-ness will rub off on them, or (b) sad people who paid a company for the right to promote its brand. Either is kinda wierd, kinda sad. (Disclaimer: I wear the Huff)

So the question is: when someone gets my company's name thrown on the footer of their site, are they (a), or (b)?

newy
June 5, 2005

my bad (sp) cleint = client!