Fri, 2009-03-27 18:51
I've been doing some reading lately about the spec work topic, and it really has peaked my senses to the negative affect spec work can have on the design industry. I know I'm not breaking any new ground by saying that, but I feel like even though I've worked as a designer for a number of years, I guess I never really formulated that strong of an opinion on it before.
I've done work in the past with no money up front, with the promise that if they liked what I did, I'd get paid. I can't recall losing out on really anything, but I know I probably have.
I recently read a Forbes article about this new company Crowdsp***g which I had never heard of. This is probably old news to some of you, but there is something about that, that fundamentally bothers me as a designer, and I hope this isn't where the industry is headed. For that matter, is it possible that this whole idea of spec work fully infiltrates web design, web apps, programming, etc. and becomes the norm for companies needing work done?
I can see the allure from a potential client's perspective, and can see that it's probably not going away anytime soon unfortunately. Just too many decent designers seem willing to participate in this.
I can also definitely see where this really doesn't benefit anybody except the lucky bloke whose design gets chosen and he actually gets paid for the work he put in. I choose not to participate in spec work, and have for a while, but I can see the allure for desperate designers, or I just learned photoshop designers who have no idea how to build a client base.
Do all of you choose not to participate in spec work? Anyways, was just something on the top of mind and was curious to what other opinions were here about this.
On a side note, I do see a difference between spec work and other things. For instance, Tony having a design contest here for a new logo and layout is not spec work. We all enjoy coming here and participating and I view it as giving back to the community that has helped grow my own skill set.
Some interesting reads on this subject if you're interested:
Mark Boulton's (a very respected designer) blog on this subject.
The illustrious Forbes article
You'll have to google Crowdsp***g, no link from me here. (Missing letters are 'rin')
Fri, 2009-03-27 21:17
#1
Spec work is a terrible
Spec work is a terrible idea, and shouldn't be encouraged, haven't got a good thing to say for it, it is simply a way for people/ companies to get initial work done for nowt, and what person seriously attempting to earn a living can afford to work on the basis that maybe some money will be returned for the effort, was going to say that it's a business model that doesn't exist in the real world but that wouldn't be strictly true as Architects will compete and provide designs on spec as happened recently with the Twin Towers rebuild project run as a competition in essence
Fri, 2009-03-27 21:46
#2
On Mark Boulton's blog he
On Mark Boulton's blog he points that out exactly. That the architecture industry is rampant with spec work and that is now considered the norm for them. He says that if designers are not forceful with their belief that this is a bad thing, the graphic/web design industry could be headed down the same path. And you know, I think he may be right.
Checking out Crowdsp***g, they say the average submissions for a project is 68. Now how many of those submissions are of true quality is another story, but it is disturbing that so many designers are participating, particularly overseas designers where working your tail off for 10 hours with minimal return is the norm. i.e outsourcing.
Fri, 2009-03-27 21:51
#3
I'm one of those "Lazy
I'm one of those "Lazy Americans", so there is no-way-in-hell I'm doing spec-work. lol
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Fri, 2009-03-27 23:17
#4
Sadly I guess many will see
Sadly I guess many will see this approach as being simply the way it's done, and that will bolster the this approach with people willing to undertake work on spec; they probably have little real experience and will generally be people stuck in their bedrooms who see the internet as a means of making easy money without having to move far or work under a boss. You are never going to get 68 submissions of any quality.
the issue of 'overseas' developers is becoming a worrying one as from what I've seen and experienced the quality and level of technical knowledge is extremely poor but it's prospering because they undercut local markets and rates by so much; this is another growing trend that I find very unpleasant and worrying.
Sat, 2009-03-28 00:00
#5
downtap wrote:For instance,
For instance, Tony having a design contest here for a new logo and layout is not spec work.
The reason Mark Boulton wrote the post he did was in response to comments he left on a post on Carsonified's blog about them doing exactly the same thing, running a competition, which then turned into a rampaging debate about whether it was spec work or not. So some may not find it as clear-cut as you do. I personally am pretty ambivalent about the whole issue and don't really care either way if Carsonified's or Tony's competitions are viewed as comps or spec work.
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Mon, 2009-03-30 16:04
#6
Sorry, don't check the forum
Sorry, don't check the forum too much on weekends. Yeah, I read all the debate over on Carsonified, which lead me to read more about spec work, as it seems to be a hot button topic for everyone. I think I'm with you Tyssen, in that I don't think I have too big of an opinion on the Carsonified competition, especially since there's not really a monetary gain in the end. That seems to be in that 'gray' area. However, IMO, Crowdsp***g is 100% spec work and that process sort of scares me as a designer who makes his living as a designer. I feel like there is no way that can become the norm, as you'll never get the quality/consultation/real world experience/marketing expertise/etc., that you get from working with a professional design studio/agency. I just don't know if the average small-medium size business recognize that value, when a lot of them just care about the bottom dollar cost.