About NO!SPEC
Spec work and spec-based design contests are a growing concern. So in an effort to educate those working in the Visual Communication industry as well as the clients who use their services, a group of designers banded together to bring the NO!SPEC Campaign to the public.
Category Archives: Spec Conversation
Veerle says “Free of charge please!”
Reading through the NO!SPEC stats, I noticed Veerle comes out with a word or three. The purpose of creative pitches are to give clients a better understanding of the creative capacity of the selected agencies. To me it is a … Continue reading
Posted in Spec Conversation
Tagged designers, no-spec
CreativePro Speaks About Spec
Designing or photographing “on spec” means to work without guarantee of payment. Some people think it’s an acceptable way to build a portfolio or snag a client who’ll pay for other jobs down the line. Other people say that accepting … Continue reading
Posted in Spec Conversation
Tagged CreativePro, Photography, Spec Work
Painter Creativity – Top 10 Lies
From Mark W. Lewis of Painter Creativity 1 “Do this one cheap (or free) and we’ll make it up on the next one.” 2 “We never pay a cent until we see the final product.” 3 “Do this for us … Continue reading
Posted in Spec Conversation
Tagged designers, Spec Work
The Microhierax Chronicles on NO!SPEC
Understanding No!Spec Why say No to Speculative Work? 1. No Guarantee 2. Unprofessional 3. Lack of Professional Research 4. Needs of the client not met 5. Myopic 6. Undermines consultive benefits 7. Undervalues the profession 8. Pitches and design don’t … Continue reading
Posted in Spec Conversation
Tagged designers, Spec Work, Tips
About.com on NO!SPEC
What is Spec? by Mary Beth & Paul Trautwein About.com Guides to Graphic Design Speculative work historically has been practiced in Advertising and Architecture. In those professions the winning firm would be offered a long-term contract resulting in years of … Continue reading
Posted in Spec Conversation
Tagged About.com, designers, Spec Work
suit 101 on NO!SPEC
Spec Work Hurts Graphic Designers Clients want free work and ideas. As a creative professional you should just say NO! About a year ago I was asked to bid on creating the design work for a magazine for a small … Continue reading
Posted in Spec Conversation
Tagged designers, no-spec, Spec Work
Leihu on NO!SPEC
Will The Real Style Shady Please Stand Up? … this debacle makes a great argument against design contests and spec work, in this case not only did all the entrants lose out, but the so-called winner was also screwed. Read … Continue reading
Posted in Spec Conversation
Tagged designers, Spec Work
The Biggest Challenges Facing Independent Designers
SHARK-INFESTED WATERS It took me five years to realize that whenever a potential client said, “If you do this one cheap, there’s a lot more work down the line,†it was, in each and every case, a load of number … Continue reading
Posted in Spec Conversation
Tagged designers, Spec Work
Andy Budd on NO!SPEC
Creative pitches are toxic by Andy Budd I’ve long held the belief that creative pitches are toxic, and unpaid creative pitches doubly so. This view is upheld by a number of professional design associations that actively ban their members from … Continue reading
Posted in Spec Conversation
Tagged designers, Free Pitching
The Copywriting Maven on NO!SPEC
The Copywriting Maven: Why I Don’t Work “On Spec” Spec is short for speculation. In the copywriting and creative services world, that means a potential client says to us, “I’m not sure about hiring you, so let’s see what you … Continue reading
Posted in Spec Conversation
Tagged Spec Work, Writers