Spec Work Hurts Graphic Designers

Clients want free work and ideas. Just say no.

Jul 4, 2006 Mary Rayme

What is spec work and why does it undermine creative professionals?

Spec work is work that a creative individual is asked to do in the speculation that it may or may not be bought, purchased, or commissioned.

About a year ago I was asked to bid on creating the design work for a magazine for a small liberal arts college. Not a problem. I provided the potential client with a digital portfolio of my previous work on magazines as well as other projects and also provided a cost break down of what I would charge.

Then I get a further phonecall. We really like your work, they say, but we'd like to see a 4-page page mock up of what our magazine would look like if you redesigned it. At this point, my spidey sense is tingling and I politely agree to the request as long as they reimburse me for my time. We consider this an "audition", I am told, and they will not pay for my services. This is spec work. Thanks, but no thanks, was my reply.

Here's my point of view. If you're a lawyer, a client doesn't come to you and say, I want you to write my will. When it's done and if I like it, I'll pay for it. As a creative professional I am not jumping through hoops for a job without remuneration. I have an art degree and 15 years experience in advertising and design. If a client can't look at my style and the scope of my work and put their trust in my services, they are not a client I want to do business with.

This position is not unique or weird, in fact it is a movement that many design professionals are promoting as a way of preserving the integrity of our business. It communicates to the business world that artists need to be taken seriously.

So...the next time a potential client asks you as a visual artist to "audition" for a job...just say no.

The copyright of the article Spec Work Hurts Graphic Designers in Art & Society is owned by Mary Rayme. Permission to republish Spec Work Hurts Graphic Designers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.