The topic of “speck work” has been all over the design boards, blogs and forums for quite some time now, so it may seem like I’m beating a dead horse. Though the topic has been covered everywhere, I still would like to put my opinion and voice out. Why? Because, I want to have a personally written piece that I can reference when I’m approached by clients requesting speculative work, which is daily.

Why Dunlap Studios is against spec work:

It’s Unprofessional.

This is where the old phrase “You get what you pay for” comes in. If a designer is willing to create something without charging anything, it’s most likely not worth anything. Your designs, whether it’s your logo or your business card, are what people know you as. If your logo looks sub-par, then you look sub-par. The way your company brands and markets itself is a reflection of the company itself.

Without any design consultations, briefs or research, the design would be based on style alone rather than strategic thinking, planning and personalizing. Though you may end up with a decent looking logo in the end, it would not be the best possible solution because it’s lacking a professional approach.

It is unprofessional as a customer to name the price you will pay for design, and only pay if the work is sufficient. If you’re naming a price because you don’t have enough money to splurge on branding, then your priorities are wrong. Check out this article at Branding Matters on branding on a budget. Your company’s image is an investment; the more you put in, the more you’ll get out.

The idea that you’ll decide which designer deserves payment is ridiculous. I can’t go to a restaurant and request 5 meals with the intent to only pay for 1. How could this possibly swing for designers? It takes 10-20 minutes to get your food at a restaurant, how long do you think it takes to create a logo? Which brings me to my next point…

It costs me money.

I would have to pay to participate in spec work. If I’m working on spec work instead of a paying job, I’m losing money out of my pocket. I am a father and husband, if I were to work on spec work I would be taking money away from my family and more importantly, taking time away from my family. If I’m going to be working rather than spending time with my wife and daughter, you better believe I’ll be getting paid in full.

It’s not normal business practice.

No other profession would accept this mentality, so why would you expect designers to? Dentists, Contractors, Engineers and all other professions require sufficient payment for their services. How is design any different? Most designers have gone to school, studied their software and have a portfolio to showcase their achievements. They have spent time, money and effort on learning their skills and trade, therefore they deserve to be paid for their work.

If you’ve reached the bottom of this post, hopefully you’ve changed your mind on how you’re selecting a designer. I would love the chance to work with you on a one-on-one personal basis catering to your company’s specific needs. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact me through my contact page or leave a comment below.