[Hidden-tech] Graphic design contest for a card deck

[kris badertscher]

As a media and communications/graphic designer, I found this *contest* to
be incredibly disrespectful to the ever-expanding community of pioneer
valley creatives who so often have to go against their better judgement and
take work either pro bono (hoping that it leads to paid a gig), for barter,
or for slave-wage labor just in order to pay a bill.

This cultivated western Massachusetts mentality of bargaining for free or
underpaid labor predominates in this region where creative workers are
consistently being taken advantage of because so few opportunities present
themselves.

Whether it's photography, video, graphic design, or another skilled
creative endeavor, other professionals in the Valley seem to think that
these skills require nothing more than just a press of a button. Or maybe
they do know and understand that having a subscription to Adobe or
Microsoft products or other applications, plus equipment and training in
order to make their designs for clients are outrageously expensive and they
don't care. Because right, there's always the bounty of students to hire
willing to put up with unpaid labor early in their careers.

This mindset hurts all of us. We all then have to accept underpaid labor as
an exploited community in order to survive, never mind *thrive*. What
results is that no one outside the creative community gets a sense of what
a project *actually* costs which repeats this unethical cycle.

Living in the age of wanting something for (nearly) nothing is doing
everyone a disservice and my recommendation is to first research the market
and know how much a particular job costs. And please consider the cost- not
just of what you are offering in exchange for labor or products, but the
cost to all of us who live with the consequences of that mindset.

Cheers, Kris

sustainabilitydesigner.com

On Thu, Sep 26, 2019 at 12:36 PM Rich at OTN via Hidden-discuss <
hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net> wrote:

> You do realize that that amounts for barely 4 hours of a reasonable wage
> for a graphic artist
> and that only goes to the winner -- really doesn't sound in line with your
> company name.
>
> I'd hope to see something more, maybe at least a percent of sales
> OR just hire an artist.
>
> Think about it.
> On 9/20/2019 6:37 AM, Jessica Gifford via Hidden-discuss wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> I'm running a design contest for the back and box of a customized deck of *Connection
> Cards*, which are used in a program that helps participants get to know
> new people, build social connections, and develop friendships. Each card
> has a question that participants answer as part of the program. There will
> be a $150 prize for the winning design. You may email
> jessica at growingwellness.life for entry guidelines. Please pass along to
> anyone who may be interested.
>
> Thanks!
> Jessica
>
>
>
> --
>
>
> Jessica Gifford, LICSW
> www.growingwellness.life
> 413-548-4688
>
>
>
>
>
>
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