Microcommissioned

Microcommissioned is a term used to describe the practice of producing microcommissions—small, targeted works created in response to a brief for a modest fee. A microcommissioned piece is typically a single asset or short item, such as an illustration, logo concept, brief poem, short video, music loop, or a small code snippet. The aim is a quick turnaround and low risk, with a clearly defined scope and limited revisions.

Microcommissions are common across creative and technical fields, including art, design, writing, music, software, and digital assets. They are often arranged directly between a client and a freelancer, or through online platforms that facilitate small-scale tasks. Budgets for microcommissions are generally modest, ranging from a few dollars up to a few hundred, with turnaround times measured in days to a couple of weeks.

The typical process involves posting or negotiating a brief, receiving proposals or direct inquiries, agreeing on deliverables, pricing, and timelines, and then delivering the agreed asset along with any necessary rights or licenses. Deliverables usually include the final file, brief notes, and, when relevant, usage rights or licenses. Clear documentation helps prevent misunderstandings about ownership and future use.

Benefits of microcommissioning include low entry barriers for creators, rapid results for clients, and portfolio diversification for freelancers. It also enables experimentation and small-scale testing of ideas before committing to larger projects. Challenges can include variable quality, ambiguity in scope, licensing and rights questions, and payment reliability.

See also: microtask, freelance economy, licensing rights, short-form commissions.