Spec work can damage your business, by David Airey
If you’re a designer, and you receive a request for speculative work, write or call the issuer. There’s a chance they may not even realise this practice is unethical.
… Earlier this year, Shayne Tilley published an article on springwise.com, about ‘crowdsourcing’ in graphic design. The text revolves mainly around SitePoint, a website where people post requests for logo designs / t-shirt designs etc., but don’t pay any money until they receive a design they like, often from the lowest bidder.
It was interesting to read the discussion that followed in the article comments. A lot of designers seemed annoyed at the concept behind SitePoint. I’d be interested to know your opinion.
Thanks David. I’m also interested in reading the comments received.
Thank you, Cat. It’s great to know you read some of my articles, and I hope all’s well with you. Are you still in Thailand?
Hi David,
Well, it’s a bit more than some of your articles. I read the majority as they contain good information :-)
Yes, I’m still in Thailand – I’ve just bought a condo so I’m digging in my heels for the long haul! This place certainly is amazing.
Hello I am from Philadelphia, Pa and I feel that the points made are very valid. In addition, I feel that if you have a portfolio and you are just starting out walk the streets and actually go into small businesses. Present your work with a price list already printed and inquire if the business needs anything done. This has worked for me on many occassions when I was just starting out. And I agree never sell yourself cheap. I was watching a reality show about restaurants opening and the price the restaurant paid for their logo was $100,000. And the logo was just 3 letters in a basic font. 100- 200 dollars for a logo I feel is way to low. If you are starting I feel you should at least begin pricing in the thousands for logos. A logo lasts for the duration of the business. And how would you feel seeing your design on a huge conglomerate’s building, like trump and knowing they got you to do it for only 100 dollars.