What is spec work? Spec work is producing design comps (or worse – finished art) for a client IN HOPES that they will hire you or pay you for the artwork. Read more from the No! Spec website >>>
Calls for spec are all around us. Those all-to-popular logo design contests - is spec! Just say no. Try not to confuse industry awards with the local competition for work. Legitimate design competitions will always request design work already created for a client. Legitimate competitions will not require artists to create new work.
Why No Spec?
Creating compelling graphics takes time for which you should be compensated. Would your accountant spend hours working on your tax return and not expect compensation for their time? No. Most professional-level designers will not participate in speculative presentations because they take time and resources away from projects with guaranteed income.
Unprofessional or uneducated clients like to tempt less experienced designers with juicy carrots. “This could lead to a lot of other work for you… imagine the exposure you’ll get!”
I often get laughs when I compare this client statement to telling your dentist:
“Hey doc, you whiten my teeth for free and every time someone asks me about my bright smile, I’ll tell them about you! Imagine how many new patients you’ll get!”
I was part of a very heated debate with a local Jacksonville clothes store who was looking for a “fresh, new designer” to produce print and web ads. As it turned out, this clothes store wanted designers to produce a “sample ad” in order to win the job. This is Spec! Sadly, tons of designers responded to the Craig’s List ad. When I told the owner that she should not request spec work, she became agitated. I emailed her the link to the No Spec website and explained that requesting free design work undervalues my profession. She became indignant and brushed me off, “good – so you won’t get the job! … And I have a lot of other work for the person who wins…”
“Wins?”
I gave her another one of my favorite examples. “Would you get free architectural drawings from an architect?” No. “Better yet, how many architects would submit free drawings just to win your business?” None.
The aggressive Jacksonville clothier asked me “If you don’t submit a design for us, how will I know that you can do the job?”
I responded that I had an extensive portfolio available online which included traditional print ads, graphic design, custom website design and even emarketing examples. In fact I had hundreds of design samples for her to review if she visited my website. By reviewing my portfolio she could easily have seen that I was qualified to produce professional design work.
Hopefully the clothier read “Why We Don’t Make Speculative Presentations“.
Get the word out. Say No To Spec!
Posted by jeanalan 
Two doors, two men, ten hours…. priceless.
