AIGA's Stand on Spec work vs. Pro-Bono
There have been some recent comments on Twitter about the Portland Chapter of AIGA’s RFP for a Pro-bono website. Most of these comments center around the AIGA Position on Spec Work (http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/position-spec-work).
As the local Sponsorship Chair, I would like to address the concerns I have seen, with the caveat that this is my opinion and doesn’t represent a collective view from the organization, local or national.
I took the advice of one of the authors of a comment, which made the suggestion to reread the position on spec work. I think if you do, then it puts everything into context. There are some key differentiators that need to be made. “Speculative or spec work is work done for free, in hopes of getting paid for it.” This usually involves a contest or other crowd-sourced methods. The designer/s do not have an understanding up front if their work will be used or not, nor if they will be compensated. I agree that this is not a good design practice. This is also not what AIGA Portland is requesting. We are requesting a partner to provide a Pro-bono website design.
“Pro-bono work is volunteer work done for the public good.” We are seeking one agency to partner with to provide AIGA Portland, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) educational institution, to help design a new website. If you read in the AIGA Position on Spec Work, it states “AIGA strongly encourages designers to enter into projects with full engagement to continue to show the value of their creative endeavor.” This is the goal of the RFP—to find one agency, who will have the full knowledge that we are working with them and only them as our partner, and to fully engage their creative expertise in a Pro-bono context. Many non-profits work with partners in this capacity. It is how they advance their missions. Ours happens to be about advancing design as a professional craft. That bodes well with seeking support in the design community.
I appreciate the discussion that is out there. I also know that 140 characters can quickly build into a misunderstanding out of context. That is why I want to address these comments and concerns. Also, as a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, I fully understanding the value of giving of our time to non-profits, charities and other missions that we find worthy. I understand too, where some people may not want to focus their efforts towards a non-profit that supports a profession, even if it is their own. There is an organization out there called the Taproot Foundation (http://www.taprootfoundation.org) that offers access to many other non-profits that need assistance with design, consulting, management, marketing, human resources and IT skills. I’d encourage you to visit their site and find a group that best aligns with your goals. Again, I appreciate people’s thoughts and hope this adds some clarity to the matter.
Comments
Thanks for addressing this Billy. Like most of us, I'm no fan of speculative work. For some reason, the line between pro-bono and spec has become blurry to some. I honestly don't know why.
My best guess is that a reflexive response has developed as a result of spec=bad crusaders sometimes being too abrupt or not clarifying when appropriate. I love that people are advocating on behalf of everyone in the industry, but care needs to be taken to do so in a way that doesn't equate pro-bono or volunteer work with spec.
Putting pro-bono work in the same box as spec is like calling volunteering for the Peace Corps slavery. It's just not correct.
Taking a stand against spec work is great, but it's easy to say 'I won't work for free". We also need to be sure that we share some of our talents and skills with those that would benefit greatly from them but simply don't have the means...and continue to encourage colleagues to do the same. A few hours of your time as a designer can often be much more valuable than a cash donation equivalent to your hourly rate.
We agree on a number of things. including differences between spec work and pro bono work and the importance of actively participating for the greater good of the community. Every designer has causes and clients they would make exceptions for, look no further than our recent pro bono project with the oregon ballet theatre www.balletfont.com.
The debate is better framed as: Is the AIGA demonstrating the value of design and elevating design as a profession with a request for a pro bono website? On one hand the pro bono work will provide local designers with an improved community website, on the other hand it creates the perception that the largest design organization did not see their new website as something worthy of a budget.
My take is this tradeoff leans towards more harm to the design community than good, but I can see where intelligent folks see it leaning the other way. Either way, appreciate the thoughtful reply and creating this page to further the discussion. Look forward to sharing beers at dmob.
I'm with Joaquin and Billy on this, pro-bono work is about donating services to an organization without expectation of payment, just as volunteering for a non-profit is something you do for free for the public good. Spec work is when a business asks you to do something for free with the possibility – but not guarantee – of payment. That's like going to a restaurant and telling them you'll eat the meal then decide at the end if it's worth paying for.
Working with Metal Toad on the Rose City Resource site was a great way to give back to the local community and is in line with my personal and business ethics. We should use our powers for good as much as possible and offer assistance to organizations that can't otherwise afford our professional services.
I believe that we are professionally obligated to be engaged with and give back to our local communities in whatever capacity we feel is appropriate. Volunteer, donate services, organize events, and be positive forces for good in the world. It's the least we can do with our privileged position as creative professionals.
As the President of AIGA Portland and a business owner myself, I'd like to weigh in as well. I have in the past and continue to donate time to what I feel are worthy causes. Last year, we donated our services along with @drupalpdx and @swestbrook to create the Rose City Resource, an online services guide for the local street newspaper here in Portland, Street Roots. No money was paid, and no money was expected.
I don't feel that this donation undercut the value of the services my company offers, rather it gave us a chance to give back to our community and help out a non-profit that otherwise wouldn't be able to afford our services.
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