I am often asked to enter contests or provide work on “spec,” meaning “we’ll pay you if we like it.” I wish I could get my hairstylist to work under the same conditions. (Actually, Kris Jon at Ilo Spa in Georgetown is fabulous; when I look terrible, the fault is all mine.) In any case, on design blogs the world over, there is a huge amount of complaining about the contests and the spec work…and for me, the complaining itself is getting tiresome.

If you want to do some work for free, pick some worthwhile organization who needs it and offer to do it. But work WITH them, not in a vacuum like you do in a contest. Particularly if you are a new designer, the experience will be a lot more like working for a real client if you stay out of contests.

If a company that clearly does not need free labor asks you to work for free, or on a spec basis, tell them no. It’s that simple. Their request is extremely disrespectful of what you do. As the psychologists say, you teach others how to treat you…so just don’t do it.

Get Over It. Here’s why.

1. This is always going to be there. We will never get rid of it. No, not even if 100% of designers say no all the time — which they won’t. We’ll still be treated as though it’s a “special honor” to design something for someone.
2. Someone will ALWAYS do it. This isn’t 1960 and we’re not working with deadly chemicals or expensive equipment — anyone with a computer will assume that they can design a logo. Some might even do a nice job, and all power to ‘em! But there’s a layer of unprofessional suckage that has devalued the profession permanently. If someone doesn’t value quality design, there’s not a thing you can do about it, ever. It’s like a high-end furniture designer being upset about what is put on sale at a cheap furniture store: rarely will that furniture be of any quality, and even when it is, it will never have anything to do with what you do for a living. Not, that is, unless you’re designing junk.