Freelance contract for designers in India — Generate instantly
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Designers in India — whether you are a UI/UX designer working with SaaS startups, a brand designer building identity systems for D2C brands, or a freelance illustrator working with publishers — face a recurring set of contract problems: scope creep, unlimited revision requests, late payments, and disputes over who owns the final work and the source files. A well-drafted freelance design contract solves all four. Under Indian law, copyright in a commissioned design vests in the designer unless assigned in writing under Section 19 of the Copyright Act, 1957, which means the client only gets ownership if your contract says so explicitly. The contract should also limit the number of rounds of revision, define what counts as 'new scope' versus revision, require a non-refundable advance, set a kill fee if the client cancels, and reserve the designer's right to display the work in portfolio and case studies. The agreement falls under the Indian Contract Act, 1872 and attracts GST once turnover crosses ₹20 lakh. ContractWala generates a designer-specific freelance contract in two minutes.
Key clauses required under Indian law
- Scope of design deliverables and source-file handover
- Number of revision rounds (typically 2–3) with charge for extras
- Advance (30–50%), milestone payments and final payment on delivery
- IP assignment to client only on receipt of full payment
- Designer's right to display work in portfolio and case studies
- Kill fee if client cancels (25–50% of unpaid balance)
- GST handling and TDS under Section 194J
- Governing law: Indian Contract Act, 1872; Copyright Act, 1957
Free sample snippet
This Freelance Design Agreement is made on [DATE] BETWEEN [CLIENT NAME] (the "Client")
AND [DESIGNER NAME], an independent designer (the "Designer"),
for the provision of [BRAND IDENTITY / UI/UX / ILLUSTRATION] design services as set out in Annexure A...
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Frequently asked questions
Who owns the design if the contract is silent?
Under Section 17 of the Copyright Act, 1957, the designer (author) owns the copyright in a commissioned work unless there is a written agreement assigning it to the client. Silence defaults to designer ownership.
How many revisions should I include?
Two to three rounds of revision is the industry standard for design work in India. Additional rounds are typically billed at an hourly rate or as a percentage of the original fee.
Can I show client work in my portfolio?
Yes, if the contract reserves this right. Most designer contracts in India include a clause permitting portfolio and case-study use unless the client has specifically requested confidentiality.
Disclaimer: ContractWala provides AI-generated document drafts for informational purposes only. This is not legal advice. Please consult a qualified advocate for high-stakes agreements.