01-14-2013, 10:09 PM
threeprong wrote:
Spec work for graphic designers is ultimately unethical.
This page sums it up better than our little semantic urination match.
If you assert spec work is fair, then I will leave with your opinion and we can agree to disagree.
3P
First, the link you cite provides reasoning for why it's unethical, and some of that reasoning doesn't apply in this case. I used to believe spec work was unethical, but ultimately it's the choice of those who are involved. I don't do it, and any client who would want me to do it I'd never want to do business for. But the creative industry is changing. Aspects of design have been commoditized, and the rules of the old don't apply to that.
And to your comments about it not being "fair", take a look at this: http://www.shoemoney.com/2012/05/08/99de...rspectives
My experience, however, has been extremely positive. The competitive environment fuels me. Dealing with contest holders and trying to accommodate their wishes while staying true to my own vision has made me a better artist and businesswoman. I have clients from all over the world now, many of whom refer me to their friends. I am busy. I am happy. I make good money and I have 99designs to thank for that. The cherry on top is that I get to be a full-time mom while I design from home. Interestingly, the bulk of my wins have come from entrepreneur moms or career women starting their own businesses trying to get ahead in this scary economy.
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I rather wouldn’t talk about precise figures now, but I make as much (or more) now as a freelancer than I was making before when I was employed as a designer and later as an art director. What is most important here is the follow-up work from clients whom I have met through 99designs site. They are satisfied with our collaboration and communication during their design contests so they keep coming back to me whenever they need anything else designed. I have established successful business relationships with them so I do have continuous work. Shortly: with the current economic situation in my country, I am continuously making more than the average salary here in Croatia.
This is the never-ending story about “no-spec work” with solid arguments pro et contra, but the existence and expansion of such sites has definitely changed the industry a lot. Personally, I find those changes welcome in many ways since now everyone in the industry has to work harder. The “big guys” need to keep their clients as those clients have the opportunity to get the same work done faster and cheaper with no loss in quality – which eventually leads to better design. The other thing is that without such sites I would probably never meet clients from the USA, UK, Australia, etc. since chances that we would just accidentally bump into each other on the internet are very poor. So in my situation, as it is now, I strongly believe that such sites are way more on the bright side. As I keep the same professional and ethical standards whoever I work for (or work with), this is a great deal for me both professionally and privately.
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In two years I have made up to $20,000 from 99designs contests and logo store (together) and some more from freelancing jobs that came through seeing my portfolio in 99designs or continued jobs with the same clients after winning their contests. Before that, I was teaching architectural design at the University of Homs getting paid $350 a month (which was good for the rates in my country).