Graphic Design Hero on Craigslist

Someone posted a message on Craigslist that explained the problems with working on spec (speculative work) in the graphic design, or any creative industry. It was taken down, for some reason, but many designers have rallied around the post and furious with its removal.

The posting can be seen on the No-Spec website.

While I don’t think all of the comments are totally valid, I agree with most of them, unlike this guy.

I responded to his comments, however, he never allowed them to be posted, so I do so here.
Andy’s comment on his blog:

“My entire point was that IF someone does not have experience in the industry, there is NOTHING WRONG with them taking free jobs or low-paying jobs in order to gain that experience and improve their talent. And there is nothing wrong with the buyer deciding to go that route for that project.”

My response:
If someone doesn’t have experience in the design industry, there’s a simple solution that doesn’t involve a college-educated 20-something working for less than an illegal immigrant gets. They can study what professionals have done and make mock-ups and samples for their portfolio. If they can think of a good campaign for even an existing company, they could do that too (just as long as they are honest and not claim to actually have been hired). It’s better for their career and their wallet not to take work that doesn’t pay what they are worth. I know because I’ve learned from experience, which needs to be communicated more often to designers and potential clients because both are making the same mistakes.

Like many professions, there is a lot of start-up cost involved in the design field. I would even argue that spec work or work for really low pay is probably encouraging software piracy. Requirements for the business these days include at least one computer with licenses for software (if you want to be a professional, you’re buying it legitimately), which combined, run in excess of $3,000-$4,000. And that’s just a few tools for the business! It doesn’t take into account their expertise in using them, if they can meet deadlines, or if your logo has been designed with all needs in mind (how will it look on a fax, on the web, etc.). So what this tells me is that by hiring someone at rates that are way too low (and no, $10-20 an hour won’t cut it for anything worth a damn), you’re people who either have illegally ripped off software that didn’t cost them anything, desperate kids who don’t know they’re skills are worth more than this, or you’re hiring some REAL stupid people who are working for you at a loss. So if you like working with: people up to illegal business practices by pirating software or people who don’t know how to run a business (either through inexperience or stupidity), you must not value your own business, which is clear based on your comments on your vague blog logo.

We all know that just about any work is subjective (yeah, even doctors – ever hear of a second opinion?). Here’s an analogy: When I hire a contractor to work on my house, I don’t always go with the person with the lowest estimate. I’ve seen ones that do a great job quickly and efficiently for a little bit more without tearing up my whole wall to find that leaky pipe. Or I can grab some schmoe with less experience that doesn’t have a camera to check where the leak is, and doesn’t have the experience on how to handle dry wall correctly, leaving me with more to repair.

So while some of what Graphic Designer Hero is up to debate (mostly the rarity of good designers/illustrators vs. neurosurgeons), he’s made good points that need to be used to educate designers and their potential clients to protect them from the scam artists on both sides of the business. There needs to be common rules of engagement that I would love to see standardized, but I guess the free-for-all nature of things weed out the less-skilled or less-savvy people from the industry through some form of Darwinism.