from the NO!SPEC website:
“Spec work and spec-based design contests are a growing concern. So in an effort to educate those working in the Visual Communication industry and the clients who use their services, a group of designers banded together to bring the NO!SPEC Campaign to the public.
With legitimate design opportunities turning into calls for spec work increasing, our purpose is to arm designers with the tools they need to take a stand against this trend. We also aim to provide businesses with information on why spec work harms our industry.
The NO!SPEC Campaign includes: interfacing with designers, educators, businesses and organizations; creating NO!SPEC promotional materials; sending protest letters; writing petitions and posts, and more.”
A short time ago I stumbled across an initiative known as NO!SPEC, which was in favour of educating people about the disadvantages of ‘speculative’ work.
Of course the website itself can explain the purpose better than I can, but as a design studio who have spent countless hours on tender applications and throwing ideas at the wall to see what sticks, this really struck a chord.
All we can hope for is that we can educate business and people about the harm working for free does to a creative and progressive industry.
Please follow the link if you are in business, you might better understand what creatives are trying to achieve. If you’re in the industry or studying design, join up!
