Comments on: Is spec work unethical?

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:18:27 +0000

Hello my name is tony and im writing a paper on graphic design the last statement i wrote i was alittle tired and couldnt get my words straight i apoligize. Im doing my senior project on graphic design and iv been building many sites trhough trial and error so far i have my best website on the net. the domain is (http://www.wmdpaintball.net) please review this webpage and send me an e-mail on what you think (The E-Mails are listed Below) I really wish to persue this as a career becasue it is somtihng i highly enjoy doing. please send me and e-mail on your review for my first published website i built through many trial and error.

(( Mail/Messenger )) > (demonboy2468@yahoo.com) ((Yahoo))
or
(( Mail/Messenger )) > (Ling_Tong17@yahoo.com) ((MSN))

By: Tony

Tony — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:40:23 +0000

sorry for my spelling mistakes ^-^”

By: Tony

Tony — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:38:27 +0000

hello im just starting out as a graphic designer im just built my first website well i really cant call my self a graphic designer and im doing this as my senior project and this is a subject i really enjoy doing i was wondering if any you had some tips for me see i enjoy drawing on the computer and im fairly good at it but i cant draw anything good by hand
is there still a future for me in graphic desing? please reply soon my e-mail is (demonboy2468@yahoo.com) and (Ling_Tong17@yahoo.com) please contact me if you are willing to help thank you and have a great day

By: Brett

Brett — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 03:58:28 +0000

Spec Work seems to be more and more common, but another side of this is what about all the times people do work only to find out their client has chosen other freelancers to do the same project and they “pick the best one” I’ve worked in a print shop for about 5 years, and seen it happen many times or have even done some work for a client only to find out they found someone to do it cheaper or just simply didn’t like my work. I believe that these clients are not worth having but really how do you ever know what’s really going on when you start a project?

By: Joe

Joe — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 20:22:39 +0000

In my experience, most of the time it is young, inexperience designers taking part in spec work. It’s not that often that you’ll see a seasoned veteran doing spec work.

Honestly, spec work isn’t hurting me nor the agency I work for. If a client want’s to be cheapskates, I don’t want to work for them.

Spec work will always be a part of our (design) world…

…at least until it becomes near impossible for newbie designers to get a hand on a pirated copy of Photoshop

By: Ukeyoner

Ukeyoner — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:10:14 +0000

I really don’t understand the comments about spec work being a choice. It should NEVER be an option Spec undermines the whole design economy and visual landscape. I’ve never run into any other profession that devalues itself the way that design industry does by giving away its services. Why do we even have portfolios and websites? If a client can’t make a decision to work with a certain designer based on all of the tools at their disposal, is it a client worth working for.

Remember, we solve problems. The pretty pictures that go with the solutions are the byproduct. Respect yourselves and the work that you create – we make money not art.

By: Berko

Berko — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:07:03 +0000

When I first started my graphic design career, I also had no idea what “Spec Work” was. The only way I found out that it really wasn’t a proper industry practice was from one of my experienced friends who is very successful in the field.

As I was finding work, my first couple of clients became regulars, having some sort of work for me. After a few projects at the start of our relationship, they would ask me to design something (a logo in this case) and strangely enough, offered me no sort of compensation. They told me “If we choose this logo, we will be able to pay you $”. I had to explain to them that I did not do “Spec Work” and if they valued my design work they would have to pay me for my time. They couldn’t comprehend where i was coming from!!! The nerve of me!!!

Needless to say, time is money. “Spec Work” in my opinion is very unethical. In any other profession it would be unconscionable, but for some reason in the world of graphic design, some find it an acceptable. Students… you can build your portfolio without spec work!!!

By: Ryan P.

Ryan P. — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 14:53:59 +0000

Unethical? I’m not sure. I’m sure this is an issue that will be debated among designers until the end of time. I think it comes down to the designer. Like you mentioned, I think some novice or student designers are open to the opportunity to work on a real world project, while at the same time trying to beef up their portfolio.

Me? I won’t do it. Over my years as a designer, I’ve come to realize that I have a service that clients want. People seek me out to do work for them. I should get paid for that. Personally, I feel that my time is worth a lot. It’s time that I have to spend away from my family, and doing other things that I love. Usually it involves working weekends. My weekend time is precious to me, so I want to be compensated for that time.

Young, novice, or student designers may not have those same feelings, so I say do it if you like, or don’t do it if you’re opposed.

Also, there is bad design everywhere. Any company will be able to find someone who taught themselves photoshop, and call themselves a designer to do a logo or whatever for them. There’s nothing that we can do about that, accept counteract it by continuing to put out kick ass design.

By: Shane

Shane — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 05:20:04 +0000

Here’s a great site that will help those who think that spec work is okay understand more clearly how it hurts the industry:

http://www.no-spec.com/

For those that argue that spec work allows them to stretch their design legs or push the envelope, I would suggest finding a non-profit or charity to donate your time to. They typically have shoestring budgets and would appreciate the help. It’s a win-win situation, especially since the designer can take a tax deduction for the costs of doing the work.

Not only does spec work drive prices down, thereby devaluing design in general, but it encourages more and more clients to expect it. Educate them.

By: Lee M.

Lee M. — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 02:42:44 +0000

Excellent topic and I love your blog you have going. Keep up the good work.

Right or wrong – the client will always have the final say. Like paperboy said, many times we’ve all had to swallow our ‘design pride’ for the sake of getting paid.

I think just about every designer does some kind of spec-work, as it’s called. You want to try new things, push that envelope just a bit harder in the hopes a client will jump. That being said, there is a fine line in being a ‘hired gun’ and a ‘prostitute’ of your talent.

Me personally – I take it if I can benefit somehow – portfolio piece, monetary gain, etc. while at the same time making the client think they’ve struck gold and to keep coming back to pan for more.