Comments on: Spec work can damage your business http://www.davidairey.com/spec-work-in-graphic-design/ David is a graphic designer passionate about brand identity. Here's his portfolio and a wonderful community of 15,000+ designers reading his blog. Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:25:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: David Airey http://www.davidairey.com/spec-work-in-graphic-design/comment-page-1/#comment-127327 David Airey Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:17:00 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/what-is-spec-work/#comment-127327 I hear that quite a lot, Carolyn (about "contest" sites demoralizing the designers who participate). Thanks for stopping by and reading. I hear that quite a lot, Carolyn (about “contest” sites demoralizing the designers who participate). Thanks for stopping by and reading.

]]> By: Carolyn http://www.davidairey.com/spec-work-in-graphic-design/comment-page-1/#comment-127174 Carolyn Thu, 11 Feb 2010 15:49:37 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/what-is-spec-work/#comment-127174 I am so happy to read this. I trained as a designer 20 years ago and eventually life led me to other things but I wanted to design again and learn to use the latest tools such as Illustrator so I participated in sites such as crowdspring. I have to say that while it gave me good live projects to use for honing my electronic skills it was also incredibly demoralising. Client communication is a real problem and mostly it feels like you are playing pin the tail on the donkey. I value my relationship with a client and communication is key. These spec style sites are undervaluing the designer and and denying the client the opportunity to work with somebody that is skilled in turning their concept into a visual identity - how can they do that properly with dozens of entries and when many are only clip art anyway?. I am so happy to read this. I trained as a designer 20 years ago and eventually life led me to other things but I wanted to design again and learn to use the latest tools such as Illustrator so I participated in sites such as crowdspring. I have to say that while it gave me good live projects to use for honing my electronic skills it was also incredibly demoralising. Client communication is a real problem and mostly it feels like you are playing pin the tail on the donkey. I value my relationship with a client and communication is key. These spec style sites are undervaluing the designer and and denying the client the opportunity to work with somebody that is skilled in turning their concept into a visual identity – how can they do that properly with dozens of entries and when many are only clip art anyway?.

]]> By: David Airey http://www.davidairey.com/spec-work-in-graphic-design/comment-page-1/#comment-115403 David Airey Thu, 09 Jul 2009 18:22:11 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/what-is-spec-work/#comment-115403 Hi Carson, that's kind of you to say, and good luck with The Happiness Machine. Hi Carson, that’s kind of you to say, and good luck with The Happiness Machine.

]]> By: Carson Shold http://www.davidairey.com/spec-work-in-graphic-design/comment-page-1/#comment-115332 Carson Shold Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:45:23 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/what-is-spec-work/#comment-115332 I couldn't agree more. I recently started my freelance career while finishing off school, and have come to have some harsh feelings about spec work. Unfortunately, my inexperience in the field led me into a few situations where I was clearly being taken advantage of. Although I am still relatively new to the industry, posts like this one, and others about how to deal with contracts, and different types of clients by you, and many other gurus out there make me feel like a pro. I recently wrote my own article about spec work, touching on some similar topics. I find logo design contests, specifically, to be outrageous. Yes, some sites are legit and require payment before posting the 'contest,' but I'd say most do not. I think designers should take a stand against this in order to give this industry some integrity. I have been there, and for those of you debating whether or not it will be beneficial to you - your experience aside - I assure you it is not. You can take a look at my blog here, but David has summed it up very well - http://www.carsonshold.com/blog. David, your posts range from inspiring to genius, keep up the great work! I couldn’t agree more. I recently started my freelance career while finishing off school, and have come to have some harsh feelings about spec work. Unfortunately, my inexperience in the field led me into a few situations where I was clearly being taken advantage of.

Although I am still relatively new to the industry, posts like this one, and others about how to deal with contracts, and different types of clients by you, and many other gurus out there make me feel like a pro.

I recently wrote my own article about spec work, touching on some similar topics. I find logo design contests, specifically, to be outrageous. Yes, some sites are legit and require payment before posting the ‘contest,’ but I’d say most do not. I think designers should take a stand against this in order to give this industry some integrity.

I have been there, and for those of you debating whether or not it will be beneficial to you – your experience aside – I assure you it is not.

You can take a look at my blog here, but David has summed it up very well – http://www.carsonshold.com/blog.

David, your posts range from inspiring to genius, keep up the great work!

]]> By: David Airey http://www.davidairey.com/spec-work-in-graphic-design/comment-page-1/#comment-101950 David Airey Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:41:17 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/what-is-spec-work/#comment-101950 No worries at all, drifter. Sorry to read of your past issues with spec work. I can't say I'm surprised, but it's a shame most people have to learn from experience. All the best. No worries at all, drifter. Sorry to read of your past issues with spec work. I can’t say I’m surprised, but it’s a shame most people have to learn from experience.

All the best.

]]> By: akindofdrifter http://www.davidairey.com/spec-work-in-graphic-design/comment-page-1/#comment-101933 akindofdrifter Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:56:10 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/what-is-spec-work/#comment-101933 Hello David, I'm glad you've highlighted this, because I myself have (unintentionally? TRICKED!) Into done spec work before. Sadly, I was new in the industry, out to expand my skills and quite (very) naive. All that was achieved from doing spec work was wasted time, no money gained and bittersweet memories, to say the most. That was the first and last time it's happened and I'm very grateful that you've brought this subject up to educate people. Yes, people think spec work's valid because there's more competition in this world, but when was there none? People should not feel intimidated by their peers/superiors and steel themselves to do better. In the end, if people wanna be good so bad (oh my), they'll do what it takes! Thank you again, David! :D Hello David,

I’m glad you’ve highlighted this, because I myself have (unintentionally? TRICKED!) Into done spec work before. Sadly, I was new in the industry, out to expand my skills and quite (very) naive. All that was achieved from doing spec work was wasted time, no money gained and bittersweet memories, to say the most. That was the first and last time it’s happened and I’m very grateful that you’ve brought this subject up to educate people.

Yes, people think spec work’s valid because there’s more competition in this world, but when was there none? People should not feel intimidated by their peers/superiors and steel themselves to do better. In the end, if people wanna be good so bad (oh my), they’ll do what it takes!

Thank you again, David! :D

]]> By: David Airey http://www.davidairey.com/spec-work-in-graphic-design/comment-page-1/#comment-96317 David Airey Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:11:55 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/what-is-spec-work/#comment-96317 Mo, I'm never one to stereotype, or place a large group of people under the one proverbial umbrella. Whilst you might find some excellent designers taking part in contests, I don't believe it's the best use of their time. James, Nice to see you on this side of the fence. Mo,

I’m never one to stereotype, or place a large group of people under the one proverbial umbrella. Whilst you might find some excellent designers taking part in contests, I don’t believe it’s the best use of their time.

James,

Nice to see you on this side of the fence.

]]> By: James Kurtz III http://www.davidairey.com/spec-work-in-graphic-design/comment-page-1/#comment-96020 James Kurtz III Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:02:13 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/what-is-spec-work/#comment-96020 Just want to throw in my "here, here" comment, as spec work is one of the few things that makes me lose cool. <em>James Kurtz III's last blog post...<a href="http://www.jameskurtz.com/2008/06/16/brand-tags/" rel="nofollow">Brand Tags</a></em> Just want to throw in my “here, here” comment, as spec work is one of the few things that makes me lose cool.

James Kurtz III’s last blog post…Brand Tags

]]> By: Mo http://www.davidairey.com/spec-work-in-graphic-design/comment-page-1/#comment-95774 Mo Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:16:24 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/what-is-spec-work/#comment-95774 Hey, you all talk about designs on Sitepoint being low quality and designers a beginners... Have you ever even glanced at some of the designs on Sitepoint? I've seen a lot of work/designs from designers who are so enthusiastic about 'no spec' ideology. Mostly their portfolios are of such poor quality they should be embarrassed and they really should stop bragging about their expertise and education. A five year old child could make it better. I've seen some of your portfolios too... No wonder you're concerned about those at Sitepoint. On the other hand, I totaly agree with you about clients... low morality clients are the ones who makes this designer's world hard. Hey,
you all talk about designs on Sitepoint being low quality and designers a beginners… Have you ever even glanced at some of the designs on Sitepoint?

I’ve seen a lot of work/designs from designers who are so enthusiastic about ‘no spec’ ideology. Mostly their portfolios are of such poor quality they should be embarrassed and they really should stop bragging about their expertise and education. A five year old child could make it better.

I’ve seen some of your portfolios too… No wonder you’re concerned about those at Sitepoint.

On the other hand, I totaly agree with you about clients… low morality clients are the ones who makes this designer’s world hard.

]]> By: David Airey http://www.davidairey.com/spec-work-in-graphic-design/comment-page-1/#comment-94877 David Airey Tue, 27 May 2008 16:43:55 +0000 http://www.davidairey.com/what-is-spec-work/#comment-94877 Thanks very much for your input, Salvatore. Some excellent points, and I completely agree that you simply shouldn't do spec work. Thanks very much for your input, Salvatore. Some excellent points, and I completely agree that you simply shouldn’t do spec work.

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