Should brand/web designers do “Spec work”?

In a word, No*.

In a few more words...

We're with Paul Boag on this one (and many others) when we firmly throw our hat into the "no spec work" ring. We get asked a lot (usually on web design projects or for tenders) whether we will create some designs free of charge, in order to impress the client and MAYBE get the job.



This request is a silly one for several reasons:

1 - We don't know enough about the project, not having had any time to discuss the brief with you or fact-find about the users or target audiences - so our design will purely be there to make you go "wow", but will be completely useless and get binned the minute you engage us for the project proper. This is a waste of our time (time=money) and your money.

2 - We've been in this game since 1999 - that's a bloody long time and we've learnt a hell of a lot. This is what you, the client, pays us for - our experience and expertise - NOT our ability to use Adobe Illustrator.

3 - Design is a PROCESS - not something you pull out of a hat and go "TA DA!". With Spec Work, there is no process - only razzle dazzle.

4 - We've got other work on, which is signed/paid work - we can't jeopardize that to spend time on design work for nothing, now can we?

5 - We agree strongly with many other PROFESSIONAL designers that Spec Work, and those that agree to it, undermines and undervalues our profession. Positioning design as a commodity, rather than a craft.

So... please don't embarrass both of us by asking us to do Speculative Design work - because, we don't do that. Sorry.

Most people that do ask will usually understand once you explain these reasons, and most will agree to pay for a day or so's consultancy to create a piece of useful design work that they can take forwards.




*OK, OK, OK - if we're talking £50k+ projects, we might consider it, but even then we would strongly suggest that the client simply pays us a few days consultancy so we can carry out a mini design process and create something that will be USEFUL in the subsequent project.

Graphic and Web Design in Daventry and Northampton from Look Touch & Feel Design