Comments on: NO!SPEC looking for craigslist author

By: Woody Holliman

Woody Holliman — Sat, 03 Feb 2007 00:32:07 +0000

As annoying as it is to find those ads on Craigslist, it’s important to remember that we designers/illustrators are often complicit in our own abuse – if only in agreeing to spec work or underpricing a project out of desperation. Soem of us suffer from a simple lack of understanding how our work actually increases our clients’ profits. I started out designing logotypes for $300; now I wouldn’t consider doing one for less than $3,000. And guess what? Fewer clients balk at my prices now then they did when I was dirt cheap. The “Rolex’ factor can actually convince clients that the more expensive designer is better – and hence worth the extra money!

By: How magazine

How magazine — Thu, 01 Feb 2007 15:11:08 +0000

Um, Thanks but No

By: Cat

Cat — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 23:58:40 +0000

Rob,

I’ve gone that route (going on price) and it was a nightmare. There really is more to choosing a designer than price alone.

Are they timely at getting back to you? Do they have the same work ethics? Are you going to find your design copied on something they do for their next client? Do they make sure photos, etc, have the proper copyrights?

Is there a language problem? – Because if there’s even slight one you’ve got a problem. A big one at times.

Are there cultural differences? Because what one cultural calls business, fun, light, may mean something totally different. Some cultures cannot take the same pressure and will just disappear on you, not answering your calls.

Distant lands may be cheaper, but in reality, it could cost more down the road. It did for my client (they choose, not me). By the time the project was final, at twice the estimate time and cost, they could have gone with the more expensive choice.

By: Rob Toth

Rob Toth — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 18:21:01 +0000

It’s a bit of a catch 22 for the graphic artist.

This article does ask “how many people do you know” and in that case, I too could reply that within my social circle, the answer is zero.

But the graphic artist is a business owner… selling their services. Their service certainly should be respected and their talents appropriately rewarded.

BUT!

Even though I don’t know a “personal friend of mine” with graphic design talents (actually I do know one, but that’s not the point), I would still have the research abilities to seek out thousands online (such as the various graphic artist freelance networks).

That there becomes the obstacle for the graphic artist: global competition.

Someone in India or Malaysia may be a lot more inclined to do a typical $200-$300 quick art design (in terms of North American standards) but do it for $20-$30.

Those who are looking for free work or using the “you’ll gain exposure” hook should indeed be slapped. But I think such service professionals (graphic designers) have to realize that they are competing in a global market.

If I post a job for a graphic artist and have a reply from Jimmy American and he says he’ll do it for $300 and provides samples of his work but I get someone with an equally high quality portfolio, somewhere in a distant land, willing to do it for $40… who would I give the assignment to? Who would YOU give the assignment to?

By: Tom "Bald Dog" Varjan

Tom "Bald Dog" Varjan — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 16:38:16 +0000

Excellent post. Craigslist is a typical place where morons and scumbags are looking for suckers to do often sophisticated and complex work for peanuts or some kind of future compensation.

If I were the prime minister (I’m in Canada), I would declare permanent hunting season on the idiots with these lunatic demands. At least we would make the world a better place. Paraphrasing the Men in Black movie’s slogan, “Protecting professionals from the business scum of the universe”

The other things is when they say they want to see a portfolio. if they’re not designers (that’s why they need one) how can they judge something they know nothing about? As you’ve said, it’s a kind of rip-off.

Roberta, I love your grandma’s advice.

By: Cat

Cat — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 09:14:42 +0000

Roberta, I remember when you posted that article. A good one.

I’m surprised when people don’t get it.

cat

By: Brian Kolm

Brian Kolm — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 05:29:01 +0000

Great Post. So true.

By: Roberta Rosenberg, The Copywriting Maven

Roberta Rosenberg, The Copywriting Maven — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 00:33:39 +0000

I see this on the copywriting creative side, too. I had one copywriting student do a spec assignment for a well-known alternative health ecommerce site. The project was a 5-7 screen promo for enamel cookware. There was hours of research involved, lots of requirements. (I always advise my students NOT to do spec work, but we treated it as a student project.) After several more hours writing and revising, she turned it in. They liked it, wanted a few revisions. Payment offered? $250. (I get more for writing a single postcard promotion.) She decided NOT to sell the work to them. (As my grandmother used to say, “Better I should set it on fire than let them use it for that stingy price.) With your permission, here’s a post I did on the subject months ago for No-Spec, http://copywritingmaven.typepad.com/the_copywriting_maven/2006/06/why_i_dont_work.html