Larissa Jaster Graphic Design Studio|

Let me explain a little about what Spec Work is. “Spec work” is any work done on a speculative basis, meaning “I will pay you if I like it”. This includes design contests where there is no guaranteed payment given, and any “sample work” for clients because they want to try before they buy.

Spec work and design contests devalue design and treat it as a cheap commodity, thus damaging the design business.

The Comparison

In other industry’s you don’t get to “try before you buy” or invest time and resources without a guarantee of payment. Let’s say you go to a massage therapist for a one hour massage. You tell the therapist, “If I like the massage, then I will pay you.” Well, she is going to tell you that it doesn’t work like that because she provides a service when a fee is agreed upon up-front. It would damage her business to be giving massages out for free.

The Problem

Spec Work requires the designer to invest time and resources with no guarantee of payment. There is a design process that each designer goes through in order to come up with a unique solution for each client. That involves gathering information about the company, research, and the creation of the project.  Spec work is not fair to the client or the designer. The designer won’t be able to do their best work because there is no guarantee of payment and the end result will be a hurried solution that may be more of a cookie cutter design done without proper research.

There is a belief that with the right graphic software anyone can be a graphic designer. Well, this is just not true. Being a designer is not just about the software or tools. Similarly, you can’t say you are a dentist just because you own dental equipment. It takes education and experience. Designing is about crafting custom solutions for each individual. It is about understanding the client and their communication challenge and what they hope to accomplish.

A designer wants people to come to them because they like their work, not because someone is trying to get something for nothing. Good designers have portfolios so a prospective client can check out their work and see if they value their talent and experience.

There seems to be some irony in spec work. An inquirer asking a designer to do spec is ultimately saying, “My project isn’t important enough to hire a professional who will take the time to understand my goals and create a unique solution.”

For more information on the problems with Spec Work and Design Contests, check out:

No Spec

Spec Work In The Internet Age

The Dark Side of Designing on Spec

The Pros and Cons of Spec Work