NEWS
From the Forum: Craigslist Ad - Spec Work Request
A post from the Forum.
"I recently responded to a local Craigslist ad seeking a freelance designer for various print projects. Two days later I received a reply from the "Senior Manager of Operations" congratulating me that, out of 250 resumes submitted, I am one of 50 finalist who has "made the first cut." Before choosing who they would like to interview they are asking all 50 designers to create an ad, brochure, logo or t-shirt for one of their various companies which their website states produce "$35 million in equity capital."
I cordially replied to the email stating the AIGA strongly discourages the practice of requesting that design work be produced and submitted on a speculative basis in order to be considered for acceptance on a project. I included a link to the AIGA's official position on spec work and their reasoning. I finished the email by saying that if they would like to hire me for a small project as a trial, I would be happy to accommodate. Good luck and best regards.
Today I received an email from the company stating that they reviewed the AIGA's policy and do not consider that their request falls under the definition of spec work because they are willing to pay for any designs they "feel are in line with our vision for our final deliverables." There is no mention that they will pay for designs they feel are NOT "in line with our vision for our final deliverables." Mind you, their request for free work is "to narrow the field to a manageable bunch to move forward for in-person interviews." It's not to get the job, just to get an interview.
They finished off their email by stating "It may be worth mentioning that we have worked closely with graphic designers in the past and were never challenged on our requests nor have any of the other 49 candidates for this position mentioned the guidelines you reference below."
So I would like to know if other designers here on the Denver Egotist think this falls under the definition of spec work. And if it is, why I'm the only one out of 50 designers that did what the AIGA advises and voiced a concern? Shouldn't we all be standing up for each other?"
Comments
It's very unfortunate that more of the candidates didn't have a problem with it. I would say it definitely falls under spec work - in fact, it's probably one of the more clear, obvious examples of it. As an illustrator, I have a very firm stance on this. Good for you for not only turning the work down, but explaining to them what they are asking for (even if they don't get it or are simply denying it).
Was this Victors and Spoils?
This sounds very suspicious to me. A way for the company to have tons of submittals without having to pay. While I'm not a designer, and instead a photographer, I believe that we 'creatives' need to stand firm in upholding standard practices. There are so many people trying to get their foot in the door to places that they are willing to do most anything for free. That in turn drives the value of our services down and can diminish the overall standards of our professions. Stay strong with the guidelines and always follow your higher instincts.
Best regards.
Funny, I was just reading AIGA's position on spec work the other day. I think it should not go unnoticed that AIGA did discourage people from doing spec work, but they also mentioned a possibility of some spec work turning into something great. However in this case I totally agree with you and I think you did the right thing.
If anything I think it should make you stand out from the other 50 designers as someone who actually gives a f***. Also, to the other 49 people other people who participated in spec work, stop ruining the industry!
I think it's probably a combination of other candidates not standing up for themselves and the company just bluffing. Sure, they're going to do everything they can to make it sound like they have PLENTY of good applicants and you're the one that will potentially miss out on an opportunity for exposure, future work, etc etc. Yeah right. Good on you for not falling for it.
Is the portfolio no longer a bar in which to compare a designers experience and ability to others when applying for a job? Or is the obvious scam from yet another "company" looking for free work not blatant enough for the rest of us to see? This is a problem for all of us. I'm with you on calling "bullshit" to this prospective gig. The more of us doing so will only make our position in the market move valuable. I'm a firm believer that they need us to sell their products. Without design, their "insert whatever it may be" are a tuff sell. So who needs who more?
Respect
Right on and you're right on. I'm concerned that the other 49 others did not voice their concerns. Or perhaps they did and we don't know.
I would be shocked if there were really 250 applicants or 49 other designers. It's all bullshit designed to make people think they have to do something extraordinary in order to get the job.
Did they ask 50 internet providers to give them free service and then they'd see which one they liked best before paying the winner?
Did they ask 50 employees to work for free - only paying the ones who are in line with their "vision"?
Fuck those fucking cocksuckers.
Considering that the supposed job was posted on Craigslist to begin with.. their response seems par for the course. Good for you for bringing the stance of the AIGA to their attention, since they're obviously uninformed.
This reminds me of a great quote from Harlan Ellison.. "Everybody else may be an asshole, but I'm not" (http://youtu.be/mj5IV23g-fE)
I'm the one who wrote the original post in the forums section and I chose not to share the name of the company in question because it just didn't seem professional to call them out by name.
I'm hoping that the other 49 designers who got the "After reviewing over 250 resumes submitted for our Graphic Designer position, I have narrowed the field to 50. Congratulations on making the first cut" email will read this and respond appropriately. My mindset is that good ethics leads to good business and that we all need to stand up for each other.
thanks for sticking up for us.
what i would do is share the name with AIGA or the denver ad club and ask them to contact that company on behalf of the 49 others. shit or maybe just 1. at the very least send them a letter clarifying their stance on the practice. it's bullshit and sadly some the 49 will submit shit work and 1 will be accepted. hence justifying the whole process.
1. There are a lot of crap 'designers' out there.
2. Designers don't have the portfolio to back it up hence the spec work.
3. Company's are cheap and margins are thin. The want the most bang for their buck as do you.
4. You don't have to participate if you don't want to which in this case you absolutely shouldn't.
5. It would take every fucking designer to flood the market with free work to ruin this industry.
The right spec provides you the opportunity to participate in something that you normally would not have access to or the audience. Leverage the spec you created as a portfolio piece.
It's time to stop complaining and get better at your craft. If you are worth your weight at all you should have no problem landing work. Work you pitch, work by referral, even work that is spec that you find interesting.
*companies*
I made a typo so dismiss everything I just said.
Mookie, it has nothing to do with being "worth your weight." It has to do with the fact that companies who don't understand design (or advertising) - i.e. 90% of them, pull crap like this, get a shitty design for 25% of the going rate and then think form then on out that's what a design should cost.
What do you think happens when that marketing guy goes to another company? Or when the people who work under him leave for another opportunity? Suddenly you have dozens of people at dozens of companies who think to get a design, all you have to do is write a CL ad, get 50 free designs and pay for one of them.
Don't think so? Peruse CL and see how many people are posting ads for designers to do logos that pay $25/hr. I'll save you the time: lots.
Personally, I'd call these guys out by name in a heartbeat. You can tell from the faux-bravado in their post and response that the guy is a typical Type-A jackass who just bulldozes people to get what he wants. Being professional will just be like water off a duck's back to this guy. You need to slap him down. HARD.
Designers often get asked to do free work typically because they are freelancers who don't have a sales department to deal with this sort of problem. It stinks for anyone trying to make an actual living at this. These people stink for asking for free work. Look at the designer's portfolio. That's all you need to decide if they are a fit.
Threadless Tee's
The business model is to hold open up competitions for t-shirt designs. Those who are choosen, cough*exploited*cough, get some cash and name printed on every shirt with they winning design. Spec work? Its essentially the same process as described by the designer who responded to the Craig's List ad.
Shirtless, it's not the same at all.
Threadless is open and honest about it being a competition. This nameless company tried to say it was a job opportunity. If they had called it a design competition, they wouldn't have attracted nearly as many people.
Threadless also allows you to choose how much effort you want to put in. If you're really into it, cool. Knock yourself out. If you choose to take 2 minutes and make a stick figure, you can do that too. The nameless company is demanding you do work just to be considered before you even get the assignment.
And the Threadless competitions are very defined. Make a t-shirt design. The nameless company wants you to do an ad, brochure, logo or t-shirt just to start with. Undefined projects end up taking way more time for everyone involved.
This is a scam, pure and simple. A scam put on by someone adding pressure for people to participate. Fuck 'em.
They're making people jump through hoops for no reason other than to get free work.
Define the project.
Look at portfolios.
Pick 3 or 4 you like.
Ask for rates or get an estimate based on the defined project.
Pick a designer.
It's not difficult.
I am not a graphic designer, but I am a writer. I can tell you that providing new writing samples in order to be considered is a big "no no" because a potential client could get a lot of free work that way. I would stand your ground if I were you.
You're doing it right; they don't value design. Check out the book titled "design is a job" - if I recall, Mike has a phew great phrases about spec work.
Also, don't even offer trial service... You can't justify selling your intellectual property for so little.
its guaranteed whoever ends up being the big winner
that the work is going to suck
amen, Think, amen.
A water heater in my building recently stopped working.
Does anyone know any good plumbers who are interested in spec work??
We really need to get this fixed because nobody likes cold showers. If anybody knows a good plumber willing to work for free, let me know.
I'm also a writer, not a graphic designer and stumbled upon this article. I agree with Isaac on providing custom samples, though the practice is becoming prevalent both among legitimate companies and scammers. The fact that the company requested originals that could realistically be used for profit - as opposed to,say, a logo for a non-existent entity - is suspicious.
More eyebrow-raising is requesting content pre-interview. Considering Craigslist's multitude of respondents and the anonymity of the internet, wouldn't it make sense to double-check the reliability of applicants in-person before reviewing 50 (!) images?
The whole thing sounds fishy and applause to you for standing up to it!
I recently submitted a request for a designer and have gotten several hundred applicants for the addition to my existing creative team. I already have in house designers and need to ensure that the designer can effectively work within my team. I am asking FOUR designers out of the hundred to complete spec work - WHICH I WILL PAY THEM THEIR HOURLY RATE - Irregardless of if I lke the work or not - they will be paid! Just as a person shops for a second and third opinion in medical cases - I should have this right as an employer. I have hired designers before who have falsified their portfolio and misrepresented themselves....would it not be worse to hire ones that I feel are in line and then place them on unemployment line a few weeks later? I am doing them a favor by engaging them on this per-job rate until I decide who is the best fit for my team!
Jenna....
If you pay them, it's not "spec" work. What you're doing I would consider fair.
I agree, we all need to stick together. People try to take advantage of creative people all the time. Fortunately there are a few good companies, agencies who get it.
From someone who's been in the business for a while – I've learned to never do spec work, don't charge friends or family unless it's for their business, make sure you're getting paid market value (unless you're really desperate or honing a new skill), and always, ALWAYS, get at least 50% up front before lifting a finger.
CW
Jenna,
I also agree that since you are paying the four freelancers your situation is not considered spec work.
This kind of thing is so common now that it actually is hurting the economy. It started way back in 2007 and has been picking up momentum. Almost all craigslist ads are scams. Cute use of buzzword "deliverables" so they can undoubtedly sound sooo important. Only douchebags use buzzwords.
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