Terms of Services

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✧    Terms of Service is subject to changes without notice     ✧     Last Updated: April 2024    ✧

 GENERAL

• At this time I do not offer services for: animations, logo designs, or Live2D models.
• By commissioning me (HikaHikaRii), you understand and agree to all terms and conditions listed in this document, as well as any additional conditions that may be discussed in communication. I have the right to decline a commission if I deem it outside the scope of my abilities or comfort zone and if it does not fit within my schedule.
• My work will not be involved with blockchain-related technology, cryptocurrency, NFTs(non-fungible tokens), AI training, and any related future inventions. Clients do not obtain rights to use my work for any of that either. Failure to comply will result in loss of all usage rights and future services.
• As the artist I have full rights to all of my commission work. I reserve my right to post the final and preliminary artwork in my portfolios or social media sites (including but not limited to: Twitter, Artstation, Instagram, DeviantART, and more)  unless the client requests and pays an NDA fee or negotiates a rights transfer. Commercial rights DOES NOT mean full transference of rights/buyout. Clients must ask for permission to make future modifications or resell commissioned work.
• Clients will receive an additional watermarked version of the final artwork. Please use that version for protection against art theft when publicly sharing your commission. Feel free to apply Glaze for an extra layer of protection! Always credit back to me, preferably to my Twitter @HikaHikaRii_
• Turnaround time: depending on the complexity of the commission, including my current backlog and other factors, it can take weeks or months to complete. Clearly state at the start if you have a firm deadline for the commission to be done. I do my best to update clients at least once a week on my progress. You may reach out if it’s been more than one week, but please do not contact me too frequently afterwards. View my work queue here: https://tinyurl.com/HikaHikaRii-Q
• Please ask questions if you need any clarification.

 USAGE

• Personal use = does not involve an exchange of money, does not promote a business entity (this includes non-profit organizations), does not directly or indirectly result in financial gain. However, clients are allowed to use the commission for their profile picture, to show off on social media, to print and frame for at-home display, and other similar activities. Please ask for any additional clarifications.
• Commercial use = involves monetizing, advertising, and promoting for a business entity (this includes non-profit organizations). Includes content creators/streamers/Vtubers who identify as a brand or business. Please contact me if you decide to commercialize your commission in the future to pay a commercial rights fee!
• The commercial fee is different per service type and will be shared upon inquiry if not already stated in the service details.
• Clients must truthfully select if the work will be used personally or commercially. Selecting "personal use" in order to dodge extra fees is prohibited and will place you on a blacklist.
• Do not claim, trace, heavily reference, modify, redistribute or reproduce my work. Clients DO NOT have the right to take colorless commissions to another artist for coloring.

 SUBJECT MATTER

• References for character art should be provided as visuals preferable in one single attachment if possible. Acceptable forms can be, but are not limited to; stick figure drawing, game screenshots, other commissioned artwork, character makers (such as Picrew), and links to character profile/sheet. I will NOT accept ZIP files for safety reasons. If commissioning for original designs please include things like a moodboard or a guide sheet with inspiration/ideas for your desired design (there WILL be a design fee in this case).
• Provide any assets that need to be included such as a logo, custom pattern, stamp, or other art— but only if you own them or have permission for them to be modified and used.
• Written descriptions will only be accepted if brief/short and should mostly be about your desired concept or important details on the subject (such as a character’s expression or a physical trait that may be forgotten in the drawing process like a beauty mark or scar). Lore is not necessary information unless it's to set up the mood of the concept.
• References for Stream Graphics should be provided as either visuals or written briefs, similar to the bullet points stated above. Artist freedom is an option too and I will go over concept sketches with you to choose the direction for the commission.
• Additional characters will cost an extra 50% or more of the base price, depending on the complexity of their designs and the composition of the request.

* copyright holders may have rules regarding use of their intellectual properties for fanart—any requests involving IP with high-risk take-down will be declined.

I refer to this document and the IP’s company website for its guidelines.

For example: Sanrio’s character artwork, images, graphics, text, and trade names, are the sole property of Sanrio Co., Ltd. Copying, reproduction, and/or republication are not allowed without Sanrio's consent.

From the official Sanrio Intellectual Property info page: " Individuals are not allowed to create and sell their own products featuring Sanrio’s character artwork or name, even if those items are “homemade”.  This is true even if you redrew the characters yourself or if you added your own artwork (like changing “HELLO KITTY’s outfit or creating a “mash-up” where you combined Sanrio characters with non-Sanrio character images."

 PAYMENT / REFUNDS

• I will not start drawing until I’ve confirmed payment has been received. Clients on the waitlist DO NOT pay until it is their turn to have their request accepted.
• Payment is upfront in full. Please be aware of potential additional charges that may occur during the commission process (such as for switching from personal to commercial use or revision fees). Partial payment installments must be discussed for commissions over $100 before the commission can be accepted.
• Clients must pay the invoice as due on receipt and will be given up to 3 reminders after three, six, and nine days have passed since the invoice was sent.  If the client fails to pay the invoice without communicating for an extension, the commission will be canceled.
• Other payment options must be discussed if the client cannot use VGen.
• There is a termination fee when canceling an ongoing commission. The cancellation fee and refund amount will be determined by the progress already made on the commission at the artist’s discretion. Example: canceling at the sketch phase will refund the client 80% of their initial payment, but canceling at the coloring phase will only refund the client under 25% of their initial payment.

 PROCESS / REVISION INFO

• Once I’ve accepted your commission you must directly communicate any changes or fixes about your request, otherwise I may charge revision fees later during the drawing process.
• The first draft for the commission begins after payment is received. Additional previews will be provided upon request or when a change needs your approval. Once past the drafting stage, minor revisions are acceptable (changing expression, colors, small details etc) but major revisions are not (changing entire composition, pose, subject etc). The final preview will need to be approved before you can receive the high-resolution files.
• Some services with a certain art style or conditions will not allow revisions or provide previews, and are final products only.
• For Stream Graphics, if at any point in the future you need something altered, I may charge a revision fee depending on the severity. Example: moving an element 1px to the left wouldn’t be an issue and therefore be free but changing color scheme, fonts, or rearranging elements will cost a revision fee.
• Commission files will be provided with and without watermarks (transparent background images are only given upon request). Files may be uploaded into a Google Drive folder. Please download your commission as soon as you receive the link to the folder, as I may delete it in the future to clean up storage space in my account.

 COMMUNICATION

• For VGen requests please contact me through VGen’s messaging system! If unable to or have other preferences, please contact me through Twitter @HikaHikaRii_ or email hikariotakuhime@gmail.com. I absolutely do not use Discord unless me and the client personally know each other.
• I do not and will not respond to messages that only contain "Hey" "Hello" "Hi there" and nothing else, because I associate this with bots. Please immediately state your business so I can understand why you are reaching out to me and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
• I can only read and write in English. I am patient and understanding if you need to use a translation app and will use simple English to communicate with you.
• Preferably I write/speak with business formal language, but if you are more comfortable using casual language and emojis then I do not mind 😊
• I will not communicate through phone calls or video calls, except for contract employment when necessary.
• Work-in-progress updates will be provided whenever I work on the commission, as well as any status updates if there are issues or delays.
• When providing feedback on changes please be specific and use visuals if necessary— I will not understand things like "it's not the right vibe" or "something modern and chic". You are free to redline corrections over the preview screenshots I provide.

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HikariOtakuHime     ✧     HikaHikaRii     ✧     Mikko Saya

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