I don't know about any of you guys, but lately I've been receiving a lot of requests for free design work...and no, they're not from my family or close friends. Instead, it's been from people offering me a great 'opportunity' that would be not only a great experience, but also a solid addition to my portfolio. Now, let's take a step back and ponder two questions. First, why is it that people think that design is something that should be done for free? And at what point does my previous experience as a designer warrant fair payment for my work? These questions come up frequently, especially now as most of us are getting uncomfortably close to graduating. Now let's be honest, none of us are getting into design because we expect to make boatloads of cash. But, on the other hand, I'm spending a lot of money on my education...at what point should I expect to have an income!? Is it just me, or are designers getting taken advantage of more than ever? To be honest, I don't know the answer to most of these questions, and who knows when (if ever) those outside the design community will come to their senses and pay us for what we are worth. I can tell you one thing, I'm getting very nervous to enter a work environment like this, especially as a new graduate.
http://shouldiworkforfree.com/
ReplyDelete:D
Graphic Designer Is Sick of Doing Free Work, Gets Revenge.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.27bslash6.com/missy.html. This site is pretty funny.
From the U.S. Department of Labor:
ReplyDeleteIn order for an internship to be unpaid but legal, it is supposed to fit these criteria:
1. The training, even though it includes actual operation of the facilities of the employer, is similar to that which would be given in a vocational school;
2. The training is for the benefit of the trainee;
3. The trainees do not displace regular employees, but work under close observation;
4. The employer that provides the training derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the trainees and on occasion the employer’s operations may actually be impeded;
5. The trainees are not necessarily entitled to a job at the completion of the training period; and
6. The employer and the trainee understand that the trainees are not entitled to wages for the time spent in training.
Anybody who has done an unpaid internship (which you conveniently need to get a PAID internship or job) knows that few, if any, of these criteria are being met. If you have worked in an unpaid internship that does not meet these criteria, technically we should be entitled to certain rights. Unfortunately, it is highly unlikely that any of us would do anything because "it's just the way things are" and future employers want to see you have internships throughout college.
I have such a problem with the attitude that one should have to get an internship just to work their way to a job. But moving beyond that. I can totally understand your point. I was watching a Harlan Ellison documentary in which he (in his usual excited way) makes a point of how amateur (unpaid) writers are taking jobs for free and in doing so, setting the expectation that writers should not be paid or paid much. I read about people who have had their designs taken, and used by a company and said company places the design on a shirt or something and rather than being incensed, the designer who was ripped off is impressed that their designs are being used. This type of attitude is dangerous. It diminishes the importance of design and sends the message that designers are not worth their money.
ReplyDeleteWe should be paid. Once out of school, I am sorry, but we should be paid, and this attitude of internships, which I believe is so abused that companies ought to be fined substantially by government for screwing with us, is a load of crap that companies use to get free labor. I think there is nothing wrong with being paid for on the job training. Many of the best designers learned just because they got a foot in the door and were eager to learn design.
It happens to everyone in creative work - musicians graduating from our conservatory get asked to play weddings pro bono all the time. People must think that if you don't hate your job, it means you don't need to be paid for your time... or more likely, they don't think.
ReplyDeleteBut it does make me wonder, if I'm going to give someone a quote on a project, how do I come up with the price? Has anyone talked about this in (or out) or class? How much is it reasonable to ask for?
I am struggling with this right now myself. I went for a meeting with the Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce because they need a booklet made for them. The booklet is like 35-40 pages all about the neighborhood. Our meeting went smooth, but then we get to the end and I ask what their budget is. He says something about everything being paid by the advertisers. So I ask another question which is implying the fact that I am trying to figure out how much they could pay me reasonably and he goes "Oh, are you charging us for this?".... Uh, YEAH, I am charging you, what do you think?
ReplyDeleteSo I said nicely, yes, but I am willing to give him a competitive price if he will advertise my services in this book. He agreed. I dont know, people seem to think that we are doing charity work...
I charge $25/hour for a junior designer. I typically charge by the project and not by the hour though so that way the client doesnt think they're getting screwed and everything is up front.
Do free work ONLY if you are getting something out of it. If your getting the opportunity to work with someone that matters to you, to get a recommendation, or to improve your portfolio. Otherwise, don't do it. Even in the circumstances I just mentioned, you should at least ask for $50, $100, something!
Your time is worth it! Who cares if your a student, they couldnt do it without you!
I think one of the issues as well in this is that people are not really sure how much to pay a designer for a project. For example, I agreed to do a paid ad for the Copy Center. The guy asked how much I would expect to get paid, and I said that I honestly have not had any paid projects so far. I have done graphics for people on Etsy that were simple, so I price them around $20. He asked if $100 was fine and I was surprised! That was more than I expected, so I think as long as both parties agree on a "fair" (debatable) price then it can work for both. But I don think payment is certianly deserved by anyone who spends time and resources, unless initially agreed upon that it will be free.
ReplyDeleteJohn, I remember when you showed me the Should I Work for Free flowchart...I've definitely used it!
ReplyDeleteDITTO! I have come grudgingly come to accept the fact that as a new designer we will have to work for either free or next to nothing in order to properly establish ourselves in the industry. I completely agree with you in that design is not something that should be treated as free labor, design is work! Whoever says it's not, let's see you make a campaign that people respond too and actually want to look at. It baffles me that so many people who aren't in the industry feel like this work is just something that we will just give out to people, wtf!
ReplyDeleteIt amazes me that people actually have the gall to ask someone to work full-time at an internship for FREE without guaranteeing them a job after either. Are they crazy, designers have to eat too, we have to pay rent, etc. How could ask someone to work for free full-time?! I just don't understand that. Unless you have someone supporting you then you can do that, but if they are asking for free full-time labor then they obviously can't afford the labor and the company is fully established and so working there would probably not be as beneficial as working somewhere else.
I am also asking myself these questions and I find the responses to this post and the links that everybody shared to be really informative!
ReplyDeleteThanks everybody for sharing this stuff as I found it to be helpful : )
I am currently experiencing problems with a design internship I recently got. The guy who hired me told me I would be compensated for the design work I do but he has yet to pay me. I have only been there for 2 weeks but he never went over how much I would be paid, when or even how it works. I should take this to him because it is definitely work that I don't want to do for free if I was told I would be paid!
ReplyDeleteI feel like this has also happened to me. A girl came to me to design a business card, logo, and even a website for her but there would be no payment. I had to decline because I'm already swamped with work and school and if there is no payment involved than I'd rather focus on school work and my job. It is a hard situation to confront though when just starting out like I am.
ReplyDeletemy mom has asked me to do stuff for her for free, and im cool with that. but not anyone else.
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time with this also. I enjoy helping my friends and family with design work,but I find it annoying when random people expect me to do design work for free just because I am still in school and working as an intern.
ReplyDeleteKeith I loved your link. That Missy the Cat poster was awesome. Even though I'm sure the designer spent a lot more time trying to mess with the girl, she still didn't get it. So, we all have to learn to find our respectful way of knowing when to ask for pay.
ReplyDeleteI know that I would like to do pro bono work at some point, but I think is important to find stability with a company as well. You're obviously spending a lot of money to learn about art and design. You might as well be rewarded for it.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that people try to take advantage of designers, which scares me because I am just starting out on my design career. My plan....keep TWO eyes open and always be on alert for "shysters".
ReplyDeleteThere are so many people trying to take advantage of everyone these days you just have to keep your eyes out and know that there are people who will pay for quality work.
ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Kevin Hill, I to have a problem pricing my work. I feel that this is something that we are just going to struggle with until we don't even think about before we price it.
ReplyDeleteKevin (and everyone else)- there is a great book I got called Pricing and Ethical Guidelines, they come out with one every year. Great reference for pricing freelance and advice.
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