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

Fri Sep 27 17:34:35 UTC 2019

Hi Aaron,

You can’t really combine the ad agency pitch with the design contest. That was an aside. Different levels, in my opinion.

Sticking to the contest theme, we creatives all know it comes down to the quality of the work and the underlying thought process when we consider hiring a student. If you can communicate that — your design sense — with student work done in the class, fine. Self-directed work shows initiative. I’m certainly not saying that students should work for free. I am saying that I think real-world experience is a positive. Think of it as being like having an intern. So I think the contest thing works from that perspective.

Anyway, it’s a very competitive landscape out there. We’ve got freelancer websites out there like fiverr.com where you can hire someone for $5-$15/hour to do your design work or other creative tasks. Never used that site before, but it looks intriguing and I know some business owners who have used their freelancers. And if the work is good, there’s certainly the likelihood of profit. And there’s Upwork, too, which I am familiar with.

Best,
Kimo

On Sep 27, 2019, at 12:57 PM, Aaron Taylor-Waldman <aaron at taylorwaldman.com> wrote:

> Thanks for sharing your experiences, Kimo—and I have to ask, who are you advocating for?
> 
> I think there is a place for this type of Graphic Design Contest
> 
> I'm not buying it—and I caution all young designers to be careful about 'building your portfolio' claims. It's a red flag.
> 
> An agency, sure they can handle new business expenses—though unpaid pitches are becoming a relic. And the people doing the actual pitch work get paid. But design students?
> 
> Of course most times, you get what you pay for — but occasionally you get a gem.
>  
> Professionals, and aspiring professionals, don't provide services with the hope that they will occasionally get a reward. I would never encourage a young design student to build their portfolio by entering contests. Design students build a portfolio in school, or in creating self-directed design projects. As a small design studio, I have never asked any freelancer—including students—to work for free. A for-profit business should pay for design services. 
> 
> My number one advice for designers out there: demand more money. 
> 
> Cheers,
> Aaron
> 
> 
> 
> On Fri, Sep 27, 2019 at 11:52 AM B. Kimo Lee <bklee at azurelink.com> wrote:
> Greetings HT,
> 
> Interesting discussion going on. Also following the parallel thread about The Other Job Fair.
> 
> I think there is a place for this type of Graphic Design Contest — design students looking to build a portfolio, or people just starting out with the same goal. I submitted quite a few pieces back when I was in school during the late 70’s and actually “won" several. Good to have printed samples.
> 
> Of course most times, you get what you pay for — but occasionally you get a gem.
> 
> At agencies I’ve worked at, we often would develop creative concepts for campaigns which were technically “on spec” but these were for new business pitches for national clients. If we won the account, it would pay off in a big way. We had a budget allocated for this type of spec work.
> 
> Happy Fall,
> Kimo
> 
> 
> 
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> On Sep 26, 2019, at 4:15 PM, Denise Batalha via Hidden-discuss <hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net> wrote:
> 
>> Aaron,
>> 
>> This is a GREAT template to go by!!
>> 
>> Denise
>> 
>> On Thu, Sep 26, 2019 at 3:56 PM Aaron Taylor-Waldman <aaron at taylorwaldman.com> wrote:
>> The AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) has made their stance clear https://www.aiga.org/position-spec-work
>> 
>> When it comes to work-for-hire, I offer these options for creative services:
>> Paid work
>> Pro bono (or volunteering) — for cause work only, and no more than 20% of my annual work hours.
>> Personal projects (The only person who gets 'free' work is me)
>> Equity may be an option for some, sure—but 90% of the time you should take the money. Unless you're a cofounder of a company, and/or the equity offer is from a startup with a valuation and funding (not bootstrapping). 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> On Thu, Sep 26, 2019 at 2:34 PM Denise Batalha via Hidden-discuss <hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net> wrote:
>> Kris,
>> 
>> I've always likened the idea of these skills being too easy to be paid their worth as being seen as simple as coloring. What I don't get is if they clearly see these skills as so simplified it requires little to no pay, why don't they just do it themselves? I am, by no means, implying that is the case here. Good/great designers cost money, and I completely understand the overwhelming weight of the costs any organization, or individual lacking the funds, can be.
>> 
>> Denise
>> 
>> On Thu, Sep 26, 2019 at 2:05 PM kris badertscher via Hidden-discuss <hidden-discuss at lists.hidden-tech.net> wrote:
>> 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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