Sunday, October 5, 2008 - NO!SPEC
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Paying work should never be a contest. It is ultimately disrespectful
to ask someone who is training/has trained to produce skilled work
without guaranteed and worthy compensation.
Regardless as to whether one person may get paid at the end, this
company is expecting a lot of people to spend their time creating work
for free. Speculative work is unfair and this instance is particularly
unfair as they are targeting the people who are most in need of
experience for their work history - students and beginners are more
likely to work any job they can to help build on their resume.
For more information on how to avoid being taken advantage of and
for help with understanding the difference between charitable, pro
bono, and speculative work, check out the NO!SPEC website.
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10:29 AM, Monday, October 6, 2008 .. Posted by gareth lane
I've just browsed the NO!SPEC website and whilst I agree completely with it's aims and objections in reality this is the kind of thing which fine artists have had to contend with for centuries.
I am assuming that when a design is submitted it is not in the finished state and therefore still at the conceptual stage, that a process of consultation with the client is required and modifications made.
Therefore the time/cost is never represented in the initial design. Obviously a business which choses a winner in a competition will be drawn to the more finished work, the cost in time and materially is greater for the designer but at the same risk.
I cannot see anyway this can be stopped. The better businesses understand a good relationship with a designer or graphics team is better and more productive in the long term. One off graphics and small contracts from smaller businesses with less money will attract Spec work and competition.
Regarding trained designers, education should provide an advantage however talent and ability without formal qualifications should also be given an opportunity. From my experience there are many so called qualified graphic artists and designers who have not had an interesting idea in the head for years...if ever.
Kind Regards
Gareth