We were assigned a project last semester to research components of design and working with clients, and the topics that come up during the creative process. For the topic assigned, I had to compile some research on Spec Work, how it is viewed and its impact on the industry. I wanted to get a wide range of sources, so I got in contact with Sarah Grundy, a Conestoga College grad, who is now a Creative Director at MacLaren McCann. I called her and asked some questions, and this was the feedback I got.
Q. What are your thoughts on Spec Work? Do you support it, or are you against it?
A. As a member of the RGD, i support their view on spec work that they are against the use of spec work, it degrades the industry. No designer should do work for free just based on the chance that you might get the oppurtunity to do the work after you have already done the concepts for it. Personally, I think it’s not a positive evolution of the industry, spec work has turned design into a commodity, using crowdsourcing among designers is like making dogs fight over a bone.
Q. Have you ever seen an example of a successful use of Spec Work?
A. Spec work benefits the client, it does not benefit the designer, clients are using spec work to abuse the system and to get free business, so there is no way to create a successful career from doing spec work.
Q. What are your views of using spec work for educational purposes?
A. Spec work benefits the client, it does not benefit the designer, clients are using spec work to abuse the system and to get free business, so there is no way to create a successful career from doing spec work.
Q. What are your views of using spec work for educational purposes?
A. Using spec work for educational purposes is the only appropriate use, it is used to gain experience that students would not normally gain until they have graduated and found a job. But, once you have graduated this program and you have the credentials the program offers, you should be able to get a position that will pay you for your work. Clients should look for designers that have the ability to do what they need done, and move from there, the work should not be done first, with that decision made after, no designer should work for free.
Q. What do design firms have to offer to get around designers using spec work?
A.Most big design firms will have a range of designer positions from junior to senior, so when you are an unexperienced designer, you should be able to work within a junior position, so that you still get paid while you are recieving further education from more senior designers in the firm, the education should not come from doing spec work. Junior designers usually start with just tweaks and changes thet have to be done on bigger projects, so that they gain their experience in smaller chunks of projects. Junior designers are paid less then a senior designer, but they are still not working for free, which they would be if they were simply doing spec work.
A.Most big design firms will have a range of designer positions from junior to senior, so when you are an unexperienced designer, you should be able to work within a junior position, so that you still get paid while you are recieving further education from more senior designers in the firm, the education should not come from doing spec work. Junior designers usually start with just tweaks and changes thet have to be done on bigger projects, so that they gain their experience in smaller chunks of projects. Junior designers are paid less then a senior designer, but they are still not working for free, which they would be if they were simply doing spec work.