What is Spec Work?

A brief introduction to Spec Work.

Video by Topic Simple (http://www.topicsimple.com)


Transcription:

In the Design World SPEC WORK is short for SPECULATIVE WORK and that means... ummmm... its kind of like when you... ahhh.... it basically means: "Working for Free"

It usually comes in two forms:

One:

A client asks several designers - or design firms - to complete part of a new project. The client picks one winner, gives them the job, and the others go home with nothing for their hard work.

Two:

A client starts a "contest" and gather's submission from hundred's, if not thousands of designers. They pick one winner, pay a modest fee, and the rest go home with nothing for their hard work.

So What's Wrong With This?

If you are a client, the best design work should come out of a healthy relationship with a designer, where your needs and wants are understood, and ideas are developed with you from the ground up. Just because you get lots of free designs, doesn't mean any of them are good and in fact, many can be blatant rip offs. Spec Contests have actually created an underground system whereby some unscrupulous designers will quickly enter as many as possible as they copy work from the web and present it as their own. So that new logo of yours... may actually already be someone else's...

If you are a designer, you just shouldn't work for established companies for free, period. If you need to build your portfolio there are other ways! Design for a local charity, or your friend's new business, or just spend the time creating your own projects.

Spec Work would seem absurd in most other professional industries...

Could you ask several chef's to prepare your next meal for free and then only pay for the best one?
Could you hold a contest and get 100s of lawyers to write your will and then only pick and reward one?

Didn't think so... perhaps its time we started to treat designers, you know, just like everyone else?

Think about it.

• Category

  Education

[Paulo Marques]

is this made in flash?? or what?

[TopicSimple]

Flash, After Effects, Illustrator, Sound Editing software.

[TopicSimple]

You can embed our video with the embed codes on this page or you can feature our video on your channel page without uploading. Don't upload it to your own channel please!

[Dan3252]

Unfortunately, it has been proven that design work can be done for cheap. Whether that be spec work or by individuals in developing nations, such as Indonesia, Malay, or China. If you don't like the reality of a global economy, design might not be the field for you. :)

[Michael Gagliano]

You should be given a medal or something for your effort to get designers understand why they should NOT work for free. I've been struggling for a lot of time in order to get people understand this, but a video is way more powerful than words. Thank you, really.

[Mariooooooism]

If you're a designer needing to build a portfolio contribute to an open source software project. They are badly in need of design help.

[Mariooooooism]

I think you're right a race to the bottom is usually caused by an information problem.

[Audrey Molinatti]

there a psycological fact that is important and true. if you work for free or with a lower price the client will think it's cheap and not good (even your skills are great :( ) if you decides to put a higher price the clients will think that you have great skills and will respect you more.It s difficult for everybody and as an prof artist i have a part time job.

[Audrey Molinatti]

let me clear something here "not everybody can learn the job". you can actually learn how to use a computer or even a software BUT the artistic knowledge,(the way of building a website page design, or a magasine that won't make your eyes bleed when you read it,or how to draw a body/flower/animal, how to use right colors for a right purpose and more....)IT TAKES YEARS TO LEARN THIS.

[hargarlar]

i think this is mostly due to the fact most people can't differentiate good designers from bad ones, as there are no straight forward qualifications unlike most other professional industries

[enigmalinsanity]

I might be able to actually make a living if that were possible

[enigmalinsanity]

I wish designers were treated more equally instead of like cheap labor :(

[MindChamber001]

This sadly is the case for online job boards and freelancing. unfortunately I have no choice but to spec work or take (test samples) because too many other designers are willing to.