i.e.: document is received from a potential "client" detailing all of their requirements with a request to submit one or two sample designs.

 

AIGA's stance is very clear: don't do it. I see a lot of it going on (some requests even via this forum) and I'm keen to understand the view from the community as to whether designing in response to a spec (or Request for Tender) is a fruitful activity. My personal view is that you can waste a lot of time doing it, but when the business is small do you take the hit on profit and go for it?

 

Whatever the answer I'd like to know people's reasoning behind it.

I love working on my clients ideas, sometimes it give me a better angle on the specific area of design, however I dont like to be told HOW it should be done, more of guidelines

I used to do it when I was younger, and got bitten for it.

 

If someone wants you, then they can hire you. I'm not going to jump through hoops and basically produce something that has no indication of the final project, just for them to potentially completely waste my time and effort.

 

If it was literally, a request for tender, and not a request for samples, then I would do it. As that usually just involves telling the client exactly what you would do, why you would do it, cost estimates, time frames, and why they should be choosing you.

Yep I'd agree it's not a nice way to go about things.

 

I did see a contest recently where in the smallprint, even if you didn't win, the company had the rights to your submission!

Request for tender work is usually only really worthwhile if it is a big client and a big project. For example, the company I work for submitted a request for tender to Microsoft and IBM, both of which gave us hundreds of pages of documentation as to their approach.

 

The idea isn't that the customer tells you how it should work or how it should be done, just what they want - It's up to you to tell them how you'd approach the problem and provide a solution to fit that.

 

I'd do it if it was big enough, but not for average joe and his SMB site.

No

 

It is a huge waste of time, and unless you are seriously struggling to find work there is no reason to - clients who request speculative work are often the clients who muck you about throughout the rest of the project.

No. It's simply not worth the time (and effort) for a chance at a potential reward. Plus, you have no way of knowing if they're interviewing one or 100 other designers.

 

I see it most often with potential clients who don't even provide you with a detailed spec, just "It's this kind of site for my company called ____... can you send me samples"? No, I can't, because I'm not psychic. I have a portfolio that shows exactly what I'm capable of, I will give you a contract that will legally guarantee that I'll do what you ask me to do, and you're paying me for my expertise and consultation - i.e. we will sit down and decide on the best course of action; I don't "guess" what you want and I'm not a mindreader.

I see it most often with potential clients who don't even provide you with a detailed spec, just "It's this kind of site for my company called ____... can you send me samples"? No, I can't, because I'm not psychic.

 

So true!! I see that happening so many times, especially around forums.

Generally I'll never submit any designs etc until I have the job, as others have said there'a great deal of rsik, you can spend a long while developing an idea and get nothing in return. I nearly always point people to my portfolio for ideas of what I do.

I got stung once, but then I changed the design to a generic company within that side of business and sold it to his competitor.

 

The guy who backed out at the last minute is now buisness'less and has no job the last I heard.

 

I wont ever give a free mock up or design unless the job is really worthwhile. Everyone learns from their mistakes I am really gald I still got paid from mine.

If I understand correctly, spec work is when they want you to produce something that you WOULD make for them before they hire you? Where you risk spending time to custom make a site that could potentially not be purchased?

 

If that is the case I would never do that... they should hire you because they trust your ability through your portfolio. If you have no portfolio then they shouldn't be paying you enough to be worried now should they

 

You don't go into a massage parlor and say "hey I want a 15 minute sample massage to see if I like your work, then I may or may not hire you to give me a full hour massage."

 

It's not right.

But then again my definition and understanding could be false.. is my definition correct here?

It's not quite correct. The idea to spec work is that the client provides their requirements, and you provide an explanation of your solution, where necessary containing very basic samples.

 

I could write an RFT around my requirement for a content management system that allows any of my x thousand employees to edit content, but that must have workflow processes and be hosted externally, and follow our brand guidelines for design. They're usually pretty detailed specs. In return, I'd expect an explanation of how you'd set it up, what systems you'd use, where it would be hosted, how redundant the hosting is, who you'll be using, where your approach has been used before, etc.

 

There is really very little point in doing spec work for small jobs, it really only makes sense for much bigger projects, where you wouldn't start until it was all specced anyway. I see it as a high risk, high reward work method, given that when you get the big projects - they tend to be well paid.

Nope. I don't think it's good for either the designers or the client. All but a few of the designers will end up having done work without any kind of pay. I've noticed that the payment for winners in contests is usually well below market rates, too. I also think the client isn't getting what's best for them either.. Generally, you don't get experienced designers working on spec.

 

More info in the sig link

Hmmmm....

 

Good points here guys. Must admit, I can certainly understand what you mean and what the potential pit falls are. Many people do seem to mess you around with these types of request. It makes sense that ideally, your portfolio is there to showcase your work and for people to decided if your ability or design skill is right for them.

 

If given a choice, I would probably have my own website designed in my spare time to try and make some pocket money etc. Having aid that -i wouldn't discount it if I thought it was worth a punt, or would be useful while building an updated portfolio...

 

Paul.

A very interesting read here: http://www.davidairey.com/spec-work-in-the-internet-age/

 

which leads to some other interesting links, most notably a blog post criticising a site called 99Designs:

 

http://www.graphicpush.com/99designs-bull****-20

 

EDIT: the second URL didnt get past the profanity filter, hehe... I'm sure you can fill in the gaps!