I recently reviewed the NEA’s (National Endowment for the Arts) RFP that they issued this month for a logo design for a new ‘Art Works’ initiative.
It was the usual pages of boilerplate, and statement of budget ($25k – nice!), but then I got to the submission guidelines. I was amazed and horrified to find that they ask for logo design submissions, which makes it a design contest, in which designers are asked to deliver their work on spec. The NEA will choose one logo/firm, and only the “winner” receives compensation.
I am totally against this, and think you should be, too. Asking designers to work on spec trivializes and de-values the work we do, and I believe is unethical. I could write a lengthy treatise about ALL of the reasons a design contest is a bad idea, but it has all been presented before me, and done very well, at the site http://www.no-spec.com, which I urge you to visit.
When I come across these design contests, they are usually issued by small organizations that don’t know any better. I always take the time to do a little education by contacting them and explaining my objections. But the National Endowment for the Arts? THEY should know better.
Do you think I am being unreasonable? That $25k they are offering IS compelling, isn’t it? As a designer, is there a line you would cross if asked to work on spec?
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February 11, 2010 at 12:33 am
Laura Berkowitz Gilbert
Well put, Julia — I couldn’t agree with you more!
February 11, 2010 at 1:12 am
juliareich
Thanks Laura! These things make me so angry, but I’m trying to temper my rage. And hey, thanks for reading my blog.
February 12, 2010 at 11:56 pm
Katherine Dunn
I agree completely. It happens in art/illustration too. Often the designer/artist is led to believe the ‘exposure’ will be well worth it, and it is a ‘win-win’ situation for all. How many lawyers, doctors, contractors, dentists would vie for work like this?
I also think it’s such a lack of creative thinking on any company that asks to look at a whole bunch of creative ideas, not pay for them, and then pick one that suits them. It’s lazy. Figure out what you need, want, then hire someone that has work that relfects those needs.
February 13, 2010 at 4:32 pm
juliareich
Thanks for weighing in, Katherine. Love your work, by the way!