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  • Would you put a Chickfila project in your portfolio?

    #1
    I don't mean to start a debate as to the correctness of Chick-fil-a's stance on marriage. I did some artwork for them a while back, and they are the biggest company I've done work for, and feature the piece in my portfolio. A friend who is a ceo of a nationwide company, and actually very religious, told me that no matter what my political beliefs are, that I should remove that piece, it would hurt potential prospects.

    So, I'm asking anyone in offering their opinion, to put aside personal beliefs on the recent Chickfila controversy. Do you think it does more harm than good to associate with a company that has been involved in the type of media that Chickfila has recently? Thank you for any feedback.
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  • #2
    We had a similar question asked to us back in college. The professor basically asked if we would be willing to do design work for a company or organization that we morally object to.

    If I were hiring a designer, I would care more about the quality of the design work rather than the choice of client. It would also depend on the type of design you did. Was the Chick-fil-a design something that was politcally motivated? Or was it something that was neutral and professional?

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    • #3
      Thank you for the reply. The design was menu related and had no political elements.

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      • #4
        Let's move this to an extreme example. If the local KKK or Neo-Nazi group asked you to do some work (say nothing political, but their logo was there), would you do it? Would you display it? Many people see things in black and white, and may judge you accordingly.

        I've had a couple of clients I passed on for their extreme beliefs. Unfortunately, prospective clients will damn you by association.

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        • #5
          Given the controversy came into being after the OP did the job, the question they have is, if they should put the piece in their portfolio now that the brand has the reputation it does?

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          • #6
            As they are the biggest company you have done work for, I would keep the piece in your portfolio. Especially if it is neutral and has no bearing on the recent controversy.

            A good employer will not hold it against you for designing for them in the past. I'm not sure if you put the year on your pieces and a description, but now might be a good time to put the year in.

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            • #7
              Man, I just wish people would grow up.
              What two people do, that you don't even know, can't possibly have any bearing in your own life. Minda you own business.

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              • #8
                I would most definately not put that in my portfolio right now, when the fuss dies down it'll add value.
                We are the masters of the subliminal message, and you think someone who is openminded towards gays and civil rights seeing a Chickfila image wouldn't react?

                Duh.
                Double duh.

                Unless they hate gays as well, then put it in and they'll hire you regardless of your work.
                In a year it'll be a great conversation starter.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by PrintDriver View Post
                  Man, I just wish people would grow up.
                  What two people do, that you don't even know, can't possibly have any bearing in your own life. Minda you own business.
                  so do I PD, so do I

                  ... across the board, not just in regards to people's sexual orientations.

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                  • #10
                    Tough call. I keep coming back to this thread, not sure what to say.

                    I agree with Rachel, right now it isn't a good idea to keep it in your portfolio. Only because Chick-fil-a is handling the crisis communications so poorly.

                    It's always tricky showing work for controversial clients. Just ask Don Draper about the tobacco industry. This is where you should carefully research the companies you're showing the book to. If you're showing to a studio for a job, research their clients. Do they do work for controversial clients, or are they fairly conservative? If you're freelancing and showing to potential clients, try to find out if the company donates to causes, and what they are. Judge from that whether to keep the piece in your book or not.

                    It's important to have a changeable book, isn't it?

                    And special to PrintDriver and Rachel: Agreed. Keep gov'ment politics out of my bedroom, my health care, and my brokerage account!

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                    • #11
                      You know how when you're just starting out and have no previous work for actual clients to use as samples? You would create (in this case) a menu for a fictitious restaurant to showcase your design and layout skills. Could you maybe redo that particular sample with a fake logo? It would still highlight your design sans the controversial baggage.

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                      • #12
                        You could always do what i did. When I was doing freelance - I had 2 portfolios. 1 more corporate - and one that showed everything. What did "everything" include you may ask? well I did some freelance for the porn industry when I first started - don't judge - I got away with charging triple the fees because I had to work on it all when there were no children or clients around. Made for some great savings. BUT that said - definitely controversial. My "everything" portfolio has gotten me some interesting gigs - did an ecommerce site for a coven of witches, more in the XXX industry, political gigs - you name it. I just made it very clear to my clients where my lines were - i wouldn't work on anything to promote violence - but that's it. Sex, religion, politics - i don't judge.

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                        • #13
                          Jen, you just keep getting more fascinating.

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by garricks View Post
                            Jen, you just keep getting more fascinating.
                            Indeed!

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                            • #15
                              Your 'everything' portfolio got you political gigs? Somehow, that's not surprising...

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