Have You Ever Tipped a Designer?

June 17, 20252 Minutes

We tip for almost everything—meals, cab rides, drinks… It’s a small but meaningful gesture that says, “I see your effort. I value your time.” But in the world of design, tips or extra appreciation are rare things.

Recently, for the first time, a client offered to pay me more than what we agreed upon. Not because I asked. Not because there was a contract clause. But simply because they believed the work was worth more. That moment caught me off guard—there is first time fo everything.

As designers, we’re often expected to do more for less. We’re told the budget is tight. We compromise. We reduce our rates. But deep down, we still give our best. Why? Because we care. Because we believe in the brands we work with. Because we want to see things done right.

And “right” isn’t always in the brief. It’s in the hours spent adjusting tiny details no one else might notice. It’s in the late nights, the countless revisions, and the extra mile we go because it matters to us.

So if you’ve ever worked with a designer who went above and beyond—tell them. Tip them, even if it’s just with your words. Because behind every great brand, product, or experience, there’s a designer who gave more than they had to.

And sometimes, being appreciated makes all the difference.

Note:
This goes to every job out there…



Don’t miss the next essay. Signup for our newsletter
⸻ Newsletter signup


Trends burn bright, but they burn fast.


Design ages and becomes old only when it chooses the easy path — trends, shortcuts, and the illusion of relevance. When a brand leans too heavily on what’s fashionable in the moment, it ties its identity to something with an expiration date. Trends burn bright, but they burn fast. They look fresh today and outdated tomorrow. And the moment they fade, the design that relied on them fades with them.

Read More

Black and white


The combination is so basic that I don't consider it a color. It is more of a structural element or a form.

Read More

Žakelj


For some, it's funny; for others, we have to live with it. My last name is special and has a nice translation to sack.

Read More

It is not ok to fail


It is not okay to fail; it never was and never will be. As simple as that. I am not saying you should not try, but rethink twice before you do. 

Read More

Are we artists or designers?


One of the longest debates out there. Are designers artists? Well, no, we are not.  Let me explain from a different perspective why not.

Read More

I’ve seen inspiration exploding to space


Isn't it funny when you scroll to the end of the internet, go through all your old books, open a few old files, do walks around the city, around your favorite wood trail, and even go to the bookstore a few times to get that little inspiration that would help you do a project?

Read More

Hell Yes


I love to work more than I care about the money. It’s who I am. It’s how I was raised.

Read More

Deadlines


We desperately need them, but sometimes we must break them. 

Read More



Copyright © 2004 ⸻ 2025 by Visual Brain Gravity, design studio, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
All rights reserved. ⸻ contact us at hello@vbg.si.
46.0459986°N ,14.5086705°W
Good design is for good clients. Privacy policy

Privacy Preference Center