Spec work on the rise

[Crimson]

Twice this week people have asked me to start working on something with out making a commitment to actually hiring me.

Here is the latest:

Please send a sample. Create a business card that would encompass three businesses into one. This should include mortgage, real estate and construction. For the time being using an example brand name of JD Media.

Here is my response:
Are you asking me to work for free? Is this a clever trick to get one over on me. Tell me if you like the samples I already provided. Do you want to hire my talent to create your three in one business called JD Media? Do you want me to create a logo for this company then a business card? Thanks I need more assurances so I am not chasing an empty promise.

The other person I sent them to no-spec.com.

I hate writting these because I feel snobbish and rude. I'm still underemployed but I don't have time to make custom samples- That is called hiring me.

[urstwile]

I'm still underemployed but I don't have time to make custom samples- That is called hiring me.
Yes, indeed that is what it's called.

I realize it's hard to confront these blatant attempts for free work, but you did the right thing. Hang in there. :)

[DesignStudio]

i try to reply in a polite a way as possible, on the off chance that they really hadn't thought it through and were simply ignorant to all the facts rather than trying to take advantage and get free work. I feel like most companies fall into the latter category. But i try to send a polite email letting them know why i don't do spec work, and also advising them that only less talented designers will do any sample pieces for free, and that most professionals won't even bother responding to them at all. i encourage them to select someone based on their portfolio and that by asking for free work they are gaurunteeing themselves a lower quality designer and lower quality work.

i agree with urstwile though, it is tough to confront these people, especially when you could use the work. it seems like a waste to be polite as i've never gotten hired from a job where they initially wanted spec work and i sent them an informative email. and i don't know anyone who has ever done spec work and gotten hired at their normal rate to complete the project- which does make it a little easier to set people straight. it's pretty tempting to just completely call them out on it. it's so tempting to say, "Sure i'll get that card and logo made right up for you, and while i'm working on that, you please buy me a piece of real estate and build me a custom home to my specifications, so that i can see if i like it and might want to work with you."

what is the absolute most frustrating thing about it to me is that i feel like we as a design community are the ones perpetuating these myths about the design industry, that we'll work for free and compete against each other with no commitment to work. unfortunately, there is such great competition among freelancers for our market share, that many, especially the newer ones or students, are willing to work for nothing or next to nothing with the hopes of making a little money for the weekend. their livelihood doesn't yet depend on their design (i think once it does it causes a significant shift in the way you see the value of your time/design) but they don't realize that they are driving down the future market value of their own skills. the fact that anyone is willing to work for free, even a small percentage, just encourages people to keep asking for it.

out of my curiosity, i don't have a design degree, but to anyone who did get a bfa in graphic design etc- is there ever any mention of this kind of thing by professors who've worked in the field? does business sense play into the graphic design curriculum at all, or is it all design elements and software and good luck with your future?

[PrintDriver]

out of my curiosity, i don't have a design degree, but to anyone who did get a bfa in graphic design etc- is there ever any mention of this kind of thing by professors who've worked in the field? does business sense play into the graphic design curriculum at all, or is it all design elements and software and good luck with your future?

I'm waiting for someone, anyone, to do a survey on course studies at various schools across the US and Canada (and abroad, if they're ambitious). I'm completely convinced that 90% of the colleges offering GD as a career curriculum only do it halfway. All theory, no business or print skills, and no real world experience. And sometimes the theory is pretty light. My school included. The closest we got to printing exposure was one visit to a very large local web-press establishment. Sad.

[DesignStudio]

let's colaborate on a book, "what they don't teach you in GD school".

[DesignStudio]

actually i said that as a joke, but as soon as i thought about it would be a really good idea. i'm sure there's already a dozen out there though.

[PrintDriver]

I've considered it a few times, believe me.
But my perspective in this industry is an odd one. Not only coming from the printing side but also from the wide format field. We're 'different', to put it mildly.

[DC1]

let's colaborate on a book, "what they don't teach you in GD school". actually i said that as a joke, but as soon as i thought about it would be a really good idea.
I'm trying to work on such a book. I'd like to get interviews with more than one graphic designer.

If you have a lucrative niche, negotiating tactics or sales pitches you have used -- and wouldn't mind sharing -- I'd like to at least start up a correspondence. Perhaps we can find a way to collaborate you would find mutually beneficial.

With several graphic designers, sharing their niche markets and ideas, cross-testing and refining techniques, it might be a mutually beneficial arrangement. (So far, I only have one niche market and pitch. And I am progressing nicely on work for a testbed site). With a full range of techniques, target markets willing to pay, and expert copywriting to sell your services, I'm looking into the possibility of developing a high-value business network for graphic design.

At this point, it's just an idea I'm researching. With a few more promising resources, it could turn into something really valuable. So if you are interested in contributing, willing to further prove out the techniques I do have (it must be a fairly methodical test), or just interested in where I am with the project, PM me.

Just a stray thought here ....isn't this something GDF should already be offering. I mean, other than the "no contests, spec work" label typed on the Classifieds.

[PrintDriver]

Well...the GDF is already about 'what they don't teach you about Graphic Design'.
LOL!

[DC1]

Yes, but I'm looking to go beyond sending a prospect a link to NO!SPEC.

[CamarotaDesign]

i agree with urstwile though, it is tough to confront these people, especially when you could use the work.
It used to be hard for me, until I decided I was a professional, not a chump.

Our marketing agency has so many jackass clients from the previous advertising we have done. They all want garbage design and they all want the cheapeast thing possible. They never had a real designer working here till I came on. Since then we've gotten a few large clients, who are serious professionals and take marketing seriously. They pay upfront, and are willing to spend the money to get a quality piece. and it pays off for everyone. I'm currently designing new material, and its going to be expensive to print, but pretty slick looking. The owner is being a wuss about not wanting to spend alot of money, but i've made it pretty clear to him that if he wants to attract professionals that spend money, we have to be a professional that spends money as well.

Thats how you gotta look at it. You gotta attract professionals by being a professional.

[Jackimalyn]

actually, this is where i learned a lot of the ins and outs. Copyrights, contracts, spec work, how to deal with clients, the ins and outs of freelancing and new techniques from tutorials that are posted here all the time.

THANKS GDF!

[EC]

To be honest with you (sorry in advance), I don't think your response was very professional. It was transparently emotional.

See, this is what I think. There will always be people that assume they can get it for cheap or free if the person is desperate enough. So they try. There are a lot of people that assume they are in control because hey, who wouldn't be grateful for any nugget of crappy work they have to send your way.

But you're a professional. You only work with clients that can meet your needs.

I probably would have responded with something like this:

a) Regrettably, I do not provide speculative services. Best of luck with your project.

b) I am sending along a contract that outlines the terms and an invoice for the deposit I require to begin work on your project.

And leave it at that.

Sorry if that came across as harsh, but I just really wanted to share my philosophy on the situation. I think what's important is to really BELIEVE in yourself, you ARE a professional. You don't have time to be upset with people who are so blatantly unprofessional. Nor to educate them really imo. Just take care of bizness, laugh at them, move on.

[CamarotaDesign]

actually, this is where i learned a lot of the ins and outs. Copyrights, contracts, spec work, how to deal with clients, the ins and outs of freelancing and new techniques from tutorials that are posted here all the time.

THANKS GDF!
Me too, seriously, I'd still be a chump if it weren't for GDF.

To be honest with you (sorry in advance), I don't think your response was very professional. It was transparently emotional.

See, this is what I think. There will always be people that assume they can get it for cheap or free if the person is desperate enough. So they try. There are a lot of people that assume they are in control because hey, who wouldn't be grateful for any nugget of crappy work they have to send your way.

But you're a professional. You only work with clients that can meet your needs.

I probably would have responded with something like this:

a) Regrettably, I do not provide speculative services. Best of luck with your project.

b) I am sending along a contract that outlines the terms and an invoice for the deposit I require to begin work on your project.

And leave it at that.

Sorry if that came across as harsh, but I just really wanted to share my philosophy on the situation. I think what's important is to really BELIEVE in yourself, you ARE a professional. You don't have time to be upset with people who are so blatantly unprofessional. Nor to educate them really imo. Just take care of bizness, laugh at them, move on.
Right on EC, I have to agree with you.

While Crimson was totally right in his response, it was just a bit of less than professional. you gotta do what EC said.

state you do not begin work till a contract and upfront payment is made. Otherwise the project does not begin. You could probably also provide a link to your portfolio again and ask them to decide based on that.

Simple and Succinct. If they have integrity and are professional, and just didn't realize that they were asking for spec work, they will most likely agree. Otherwise, consider yourself lucky for not working with a jackass.

[PrintDriver]

EC is exactly right.
It doesn't do YOU any good to get riled.
Simply treat the matter professionally and move on.
The best part is you are learning to recognize when to move on.

[Crimson]

I guess that is the part I suck at too. I enjoy designing but see the business side as a chore. A neccessary chore that will help me earn my money. . . Some clients are going to be great and some are gonna suck- live with it. Deal with it. Grow with it. Design and live

[Ovaltine]

To help with the research on which colleges provide or don't provide course work in the buisness of graphic design, I submit this.

Savannah College of Art and Design started offering a Buisness of Graphic Design class in the Fall of 1999 (I know because that's when I took it). The class covered how to write invoices, contracts, etc and the ethics behind not doing spec work. It was very helpful.

[DesignStudio]

I think it's great that your college offered that course, but from what I can gather it seems you're in the minority of people who had that opportunity. Perosonally I not only think it should be offered, I think it should be manditory. Teaching a profession and not teaching the ethics and business aspects related to it is irresponsible on the part of the colleges.

[Ovaltine]

^ Agreed, I was really glad they added it to our class list. At the time it wasn't a required class, but that may have changed in 7 years.

[The_Black_Knight]

^ Agreed, I was really glad they added it to our class list. At the time it wasn't a required class, but that may have changed in 7 years.I wish that class had been available when I graduated from SCAD in 1995. I probably would have taken it as an elective.

[CamarotaDesign]

I should mention that Santa Rosa Junior College in Northern California had a business of graphic design class. But nothing was mentioned on spec work or many of the ethical aspects of design. At least I don't remember anything. But it was still very helpful in preparing designers for the real world, which is more than I can say about most 4 year colleges. Plus, considering it had in-depth classes on pre-press, it was easily a better program than most 4 year colleges in preparing you for the real world of design.

For anyone in Northern California: I recommend you go to the Santa Rosa Junior College to start your design education before spending $40,000 on a BA program at a 4 year college that won't teach you half as many things as that J.C. will.

[budafist]

We were encouraged to take spec work at design school. :(

I know better now, but still, that's a lot of people off on the wrong foot.

[DesignStudio]

maybe it's a consipiracy of some kind. really that is terrible, imagine any other skilled profession or trade school encouraging their grads to be taken advantage of.

i once had a client contact me via my website, and after i gave the quote they asked me if i knew any students or recent grads from the same school i went to because they liked my style. i just politely told them i couldn't recommend anyone, and that my rates were standard for professional work anyway and good luck. but i wanted to tell them, "first of all style isn't something they just drop into our brains when they're cranking us out in school, and secondly, yes i know some students but they don't like to get taken advantage of by cheap *******s like you either." arrrrrrrrr. and it's not even tlap day.

[budafist]

Design school didn't encourage us to do spec work after graduation, but they did during school to help build our portfolios.

Well, I can see the whys and the why nots.

[DesignStudio]

well it still teaches a bad lesson i think, and builds bad habbits. to me, a big part of not doing spec work is a matter of principle. even if i truly believed i had like a 99% chance of getting hired if i did a spec sample, i still wouldn't do it on principle. i think encouraging students to do spec work on school but not once they graduate, is like teaching med students to take shortcuts with practice patients but not once they're a doctor. it's hard to unlearn bad habbits. anyway, there are just alot of better alternatives, like offering free work to non-profits, or logos for friends and family (who probably still won't pay you even when you're a big shot designer, so you might as well do it free early) or even just doing logos for fictious companies like the terra bella thread. you're still learning the lessons of design but your not devaluing your own prodcut by giving it away.

i should probably stop reading this thread, cause i could spout off all day about crap like this that gets on my nerves and i'm sure no one really wants to keep reading it. i'm generally pretty laid back, but i think i might have underlying anger issues. i've had three ulcers before i turned 25, and my first before i finished 9th grade.

[CamarotaDesign]

I think taking spec work in college is B.S! take an unpaid internship over specwork. At least you'll get trained by a pro and learn how a real firm does business. It all comes back to damaging the integrity of the industry and poor business practice.

I got the "I'll find a design student to do it for me" bullshit the other day. Man, I just feel like anyone who would pull something like that has low integrity, bad business practice, and generally not the type of person you want to be friends with, or do business with.

Anyways, yeah, I better stop too. I'm pretty irritated with getting two lame ass job offers in the past 2 weeks though.

[Broacher]

From Sue Kirkland's blog archive:

http://blogs.graphicdesignforum.com/skirkland/archives/2006/03/speculative_1.html

[balou]

From Sue Kirkland's blog archive:

http://blogs.graphicdesignforum.com/skirkland/archives/2006/03/speculative_1.html A great article. I think all the students and alumni should email this link to their instructors and department heads.

[budafist]

I think taking spec work in college is B.S! take an unpaid internship over specwork. At least you'll get trained by a pro and learn how a real firm does business. It all comes back to damaging the integrity of the industry and poor business practice.

I got the "I'll find a design student to do it for me" bullshit the other day. Man, I just feel like anyone who would pull something like that has low integrity, bad business practice, and generally not the type of person you want to be friends with, or do business with.

Anyways, yeah, I better stop too. I'm pretty irritated with getting two lame ass job offers in the past 2 weeks though.

Oh yeah, it was compulsory to do an internship during my degree. Whether or not you get paid is up to you and your employer of course.