Designers Support No-Spec - Get Educated.

[forlow-designs]

Morning,

I've been aware of no-spec for some time now.

I'm posting this to educate some of you, and designers, writers, photographers who don't know about spec-work.

Since joining this forum... I've received several e-mails + message asking to provide spec-work.

Writers, designers, and photographers often face requests (or even demands) for spec work in which you do the project, submit it, and only then learn if it will be used and you will be paid. It's a ridiculous concept...

Rrecently, I gave a quote to a customer...(I won't give his name out as thats not fair, I just want to make people aware of 'spec work') he wanted ideas done before he paid any sort of deposit.... I thought this was 'fishy'.... so I did some research and found that a few weeks ago, he held a 'contest' where 24 designers provided FREE logo work... and only one got paid. (in this case, they did pay, but other 'contests' - some say "we dont like any"... weeks later - they've 'stole' the designs and changed them.

Design, isn't just a few clicks on the mouse... it takes talent, skills, years of learning programs and more brain thinking then you could ever imagine (yes - alot of thought goes into what people do!).

To read more on Spec-Work... 'What Is Spec'
To support no-spec... Support No-Spec

Welcome to all comments

 

[RedEvo]

I'm 100% with you.

First off I'm not a designer but I employ one. Even as a one man web developer band I outsourced design as in my view it was a professional service that went hand in hand with what I did. I still believe this and the homespun sites that are often 'showcased' here pay testament to my view having some credibility.

I also flatly refuse to put my designers to work on spec. Spec work is the scourge of the design industry and should be made illegal

I do remember almost being flamed in here for daring to suggest that 'real' designers had qualifications in design......

d

 

[Dot Design]

I'm also with you on this, although there can be some reasons to do "spec" or "pitch" work:

• if the pool of designers its offered to is a select few eg: 2/3, (24 is far too many!)
• if the work/project interests me then I may (and have) "pitched"

but like you said, all too often its just to get unpaid work from designers.

Just my thoughts on this.

All the best
Gareth


www.dot-design.co.uk

 

[Calibre Designs]

Hi Farlow Designs,

I couldn't agree more. We have never been involved in speculative work and from what I have read, it is a tactical way to draw designers to work for free.

The client does have a right to see variations of designs. The projects that we take on are developed hand in hand with the client until the end result is made perfect so there is no chance of them not liking it.

Genuine design competitions from a respective source will not operate in such a disrespectful manner (one hopes).

Good warning message for those a bit more inexperienced.

Kay

 

[Lasting Designs]

Taken from the "what is spec article"

But, with today's computers and software, how long could it take?

This is a common point-of-view for many who confuse the professional with his or her tools. The "process" is more than simply tapping at a keyboard or clicking a mouse. It's about understanding the nature of a communication challenge and then using one's brain to find the appropriate solution.

Ever had to be creative and stared at a blank screen or pad?
How do you cost that?
What is chargable and what isn't?
Is "brain" work worth more than "graphical" work?

Is it just me, or are designers singled out as "how much" whipping boys (and girls) because the simple design that has been proposed

• will be etched upon its viewing public brain,
• will look good in mono and full colour on any background,
• Look great on vans and signs or on pens and business cards
• will be valid for years to come, thus no need for rebranding time and time again.

If it was painting and decorating, we'd say the secret is in the preperation, I guess we should adopt that mantra.

 

Hi Farlow Designs,

I couldn't agree more. We have never been involved in speculative work and from what I have read, it is a tactical way to draw designers to work for free.

The client does have a right to see variations of designs. The projects that we take on are developed hand in hand with the client until the end result is made perfect so there is no chance of them not liking it.

Genuine design competitions from a respective source will not operate in such a disrespectful manner (one hopes).

Good warning message for those a bit more inexperienced.

Kay

From what I remember when you joined the forum people barked at you for offering your service for "free" and if the client liked it then you would take things further. That in itself is spec work. If I have picked up the wrong end of the stick then I apologise.

I *think* I know who you are on about forlow as I received a very very similar message back and had to re-iterate that no work was going to be done for free.

Red is correct that spec-work is the scourge of the design world. Designers are not often looked at as professionals which is a shame. A lot of time and effort goes into designing and researching for a client. I don't think that the freelancers website help out with this much as a lot of the people requiring work done ask for spec work.

E

 

[the_web_designer]

This is a burning issue in the industry, especially with the economic climate (clients with less money feel more justified, and designers with less work feel more pressured). There is a great article on the AIGA site with a template letter, and when I get asked, I send clients to Why Spec Work Is Bad For Your Business . I hope this can be of use to others.

 

[Deleted member 122319]

Got to agree this sounds pretty pernicious. In my line (software engineering), we sometimes have to go ahead on an unfunded project "at risk" that it may not get beyond the embryonic stage and maintain a budget for that kind of project. However, this would typically be of a feasibility study nature or a "mock up" of some sort. We would also not deliver any IP to the customer and would want NDA/cmmercial agreements in place. I guess you retain the copyright to the work and then assign it on sale?

 

[the_web_designer]

The problem comes when businesses host "design competitions". The approach several design firms asking them all to provide a draft for the project, then choose just one and pay just that one. As mentioned in the article I linked to, this is very dangerous both for the client and the designer, not to mention a lack of respect for the client.

 

[mit74]

this has been common in the music industry for years. Many labels/studios put on a massive competition for signed or unsigned artists hoping they'll get at least a few commercial tunes. They always have strong t&c so the artists lose all rights to the song and they then remix it or take out the good riffs/basslines/vocals, repackage it with a popular artist and sell it as their own. The artist usually just wins the prize of music hardware or cash but has no royalties.

 

[JDX_John]

...

You mention two specific things:
1)working without up-front deposit
2)working for a contest environment

The first is totally normal in a business relationship. The second is not so normal but if the winner is paid, it's your option to compete if you think it can work out as a good income source - i.e. if you reckon your win ratio will be high.

I thought you were going to talk about 'spec work' as in doing free work to try and land a [often mythical] bigger project -but you didn't touch on that at all. So whcih things are you actually complaining about?

 

[the_web_designer]

You mention two specific things:
1)working without up-front deposit
2)working for a contest environment

The first is totally normal in a business relationship. The second is not so normal but if the winner is paid, it's your option to compete if you think it can work out as a good income source - i.e. if you reckon your win ratio will be high.

I thought you were going to talk about 'spec work' as in doing free work to try and land a [often mythical] bigger project -but you didn't touch on that at all. So whcih things are you actually complaining about?

Working without an upfront deposit is normal, however best to always use a contract to protect both parties. The danger of spec work is where the client uses several different designers competing against each other, as mentioned in the article I linked to earlier, and on the AIGA site. There's a good site NO!SPEC which gives some good info too and explains the dangers!

 

[AdamH_LWG]

When I first started I did allot of work to spec, and you know what it never really helped most the business I did it for just cleared off and didn't want to pay for the next thing.

I have been thinking about making clients pay a 20% deposit.

 

[Deleted member 59730]

As a photographer I am proud to say I have never worked on spec for free. In the 60s and 70s I did have a spec fee of £150. I leave you to work out what that is in todays money.

Perhaps its time to give a link http://www.jeremynicholl.com/blog/2...-a-freebie-i-don’t-need-no-stinking-exposure/

The Harlan Ellison rant is wonderful.

 

[ChrisWalker]

I've been a motion graphic designer for 10 years and have on a few occasions provided work up front to try and land a contract, it's rarely been a help. I always watermarked my work so that it couldn't be ripped off easily.

I think the increasing number of sites that require designers bid on work is only going to make this problem grow.

 

[am:pm graphics]

I don't get how anyone would think it was a fair way to work :|

 

[JDX_John]

I don't get how anyone would think it was a fair way to work :|

Business is rarely about being fair...

 

[RedEvo]

It was once very much the case that designers had to pretty much do the job to try and land the job - if you know what I mean.

We never do spec work and I would advise everybody against it.

d