Level 5- Communicating and Understanding Briefs- Pt1. Communication

As an artist, it's highly likely I will receive future work in the form of a brief or commission. But what exactly are briefs and commissions?

Brief:

Noun

A set of instructions given to a person about a job or task.

"her brief is to turn around the restaurants' fortunes"

Commission:
 Noun

An instruction, command, or role given to a person or group.

"one of his first commissions was to design the the next cover of the magazine"

 

 So clearly a brief or commission will give me the instructions I need to perform the task set for me exactly how the client wants it. This is where communication becomes important. Without constantly communicating throughout a job, the direction of work may be misled and not meet the client's expectations. Today though, there are numerous ways of communicating with someone and usually a combination of methods is the best way to come to agreements.

 

Possible forms of communication:

•  E-mail
• Skype
• Telephone
• Texting and IM
• Social Media- i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin etc.
• Physical Conversation
• Letter/post
• Fax
• Smoke Signal
• Telegraph

However, not every form of communication is necessarily the best. Smoke signals probably wouldn't be able to convey the needed amount of detail and it's not always possible to meet someone in person to talk. Likewise, faxes and telegraphs are not generally used in the art and design industry to the same extent they would be in say, a commercial everyday office.

So that leaves us with e-mail, Skype, telephone, texting and IM, social media, and letters via the post. The internet does play a big part in the garnering of commissions for relatively new artists, through websites and online portfolios, so I would imagine the first port of call would be contact through e-mail followed up by a phone or Skype call. In my own recent experience with an art organisation I was first contacted via Instagram and then through e-mail. After around a week of e-mail conversation the director contacted me through the phone after I provided her with my mobile number and we were able to confirm the details more easily. This is because telephone conversations (and physical conversations for that matter) are instant- whatever you say is transmitted instantly and the other person can react accordingly. Text, e-mail, IM and such can be responded to at the recipient's own pace, and because of this it's easier to phrase your reply in the best way possible.

Brooding about a reply can also have it's disadvantages. For some people it can be far too easy to overthink your reply and send something totally stiff and way too formal. So a balance must be found between the methods of communication to avoid any misinformation or dissent between the client and the service provider.

Another advantage to having actual conversations with somebody is that it's much easier to interpret tone and intention. How often have you read a text or e-mail, only to think whoever has messaged you is in a mood or upset, or even angry with you? More than once or twice I would bet. Text is not usually a medium that can hold emotions like a voice can and can be misunderstood more than a 'real' conversation.

Preferably, to confer with a client, I would ideally like to have contact through e-mail and telephone with the option to meet, Skype and text if need be. As stated above these methods are generally the easiest in modern day life and discussion through mainly e-mail and telephone would allow me to discern the needed information the most easily (through attatchment or verbal instructions). All electronic methods would allow me to keep a record of the exchanges for future reference which is one pro to the digital medias, however physical conversations hold the key to getting information 'sraight from the horses' mouth', if you will.