Do you do Spec Work?

I recently received an RFQ for a logo design for a high-profile local association. When I read through the RFQ it stated that they wanted each company to provide a logo design, along with an estimate.

I emailed the person who sent the RFQ and explained that we typically don’t engage in speculative work and the reasons why. I also asked for more details, including how many companies were quoting on the project. I received no response.

Several weeks later, I discovered the logo design had been awarded to one of my competitors, who has about 6 employees, and now I kinda regret not participating since it was a high profile company.

Have the design industry views changed on spec work? What do you typically do in these situations?


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I rarely get asked to do spec work but on the rare occasion it does happen it’s an unequivocal, “No”. I don’t question my decision and I move on. Period.

Todd
http://xiiro.com


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they wanted each company to provide a logo design, along with an estimate.

That to me is getting your cake and eating it with only crumbs for the designer.

Why do the work and not get paid when there are plenty of clients out there that will commission you and still not pay!

D


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There are different ways of doing business - some are sleazy, some are not.
Some make big money doing sleazy business - you have to decide your own
business ethic and how you make your income.

Spec work poisons the well for everyone. If you value your work, you’ll
value everything it touches, and touches it.


Ernie Simpson

On Fri, Aug 22, 2014 at 3:11 PM, RavenManiac email@hidden wrote:

I recently received an RFQ for a logo design for a high-profile local
association. When I read through the RFQ it stated that they wanted each
company to provide a logo design, along with an estimate.

I emailed the person who sent the RFQ and explained that we typically
don’t engage in speculative work and the reasons why. I also asked for more
details, including how many companies were quoting on the project. I
received no response.

Several weeks later, I discovered the logo design had been awarded to one
of my competitors, who has about 6 employees, and now I kinda regret not
participating since it was a high profile company.

Have the design industry views changed on spec work? What do you typically
do in these situations?


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Thanks guys. I couldn’t agree more. I just wanted to make sure I hadn’t miss something in terms of professional graphic design ethics.

I also found this, which is written pretty well:


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Never ever - http://www.nospec.com

I very seldom get asked to do work on spec. Architectural firms still spend months designing buildings with the hope of getting the project. Doing work on spec is just plan stupid, can you imagine asking your lawyer of electrician to do work on spec.

This is how ridiculous the idea is - http://hibiscuscreative.com/2012/05/say-no-to-spec-work/

Cheers
Marcel


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Doing work on spec is just plan stupid, can you imagine asking your lawyer
of electrician to do work on spec.

I would work for free and labor to make the world beautiful and even more
amazing - if my grocer and landlord did the same.

I can’t tell if money is the carrot or stick anymore.


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On 22 Aug 2014, 7:32 pm, DeltaDave wrote:

Why do the work and not get paid when there are plenty of clients out there that will commission you and still not pay!

LOL


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Or threaten to sue you when you don’t do more than you initially spec’d.

Walter

On Aug 24, 2014, at 8:05 AM, Joe Muscara wrote:

On 22 Aug 2014, 7:32 pm, DeltaDave wrote:

Why do the work and not get paid when there are plenty of clients out there that will commission you and still not pay!

LOL


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