How To Reply To Spec Work Requests

I’ve mentioned inwards a previous article my condemnation of speculative work. In it, I’ve talked about what spec run is and how it undervalues graphic designers too the manufacture itself by paying “exposure” instead of something with monetary value.

It’s a pipage dream that spec function would but live gone from the globe. As of right immediately, my friends together with I take a lot of design requests too spec function invitation from unlike companies.

It’second an all likewise familiar scenario every morning to see people request yous to operate for complimentary. Heck, a designer fifty-fifty illustrated these people together with wrote their exact words behind their portrait.

But how do you lot fifty-fifty respond to such spec work requests?

Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 lot of designers too artists went to the net to voice out their frustrations. Graphic designer David Airey posted his response to spec work designed as a competition. The alphabetic character invites Airey to pattern a logo for a DJ/Producer as well as participate “inwards a worldwide project for which they tin have global recognition for their creativity.”

His response was beautiful.

Hello,

Thanks for the kind offer.

In return, I’one thousand reaching dorsum to let you lot know almost a unique project chance for DJ Rusko.

The projection asks that DJ Rusko record and create a new music runway — i that mentions my advert together with my title every bit a graphic designer. I’ll play the rail on my website to a worldwide audience, giving total credit. I’ll as well pay $1,000.

If I don’t like the runway, or if I prefer ane created by another DJ (I’1000 contacting thousands of others with the same unique opportunity), I won’t play it on my site. Nor volition I pay the monetary prize.

To participate, take DJ Rusko post the completed MP3 file to my electronic mail address.

Kind regards,

David

Another graphic designer, Dan Cassaro, was approached by Showtime request if he wants to participate inward designing promotional textile for the fight betwixt Floyd Mayweather Jr. in addition to Marcos Maidana. According to them, they were “excavation his style”.

Here’second the letter in addition to his response:

 

After this letter went viral in the net, Showtime responded with an every bit infuriating argument on the value of “exposure”.

SHOWTIME is a stiff supporter of artists around the world. This contest, similar many others, is alone optional. Under the contest guidelines, those who choose to submit their art are eligible for a one thousand prize of a Las Vegas trip, in addition to invaluable national exposure across multiple platforms.

These ii responses are all swell ways to deal with spec go requests. But if yous necessitate a template, spider web designer Grace Smith created a template that y'all tin mail every bit a response. You tin can download the letter here.

I make take a dissimilar approach when it comes to these spec function requests. I want to salve myself from getting frustrated and thinking of snarky comments. The best mode inward dealing with these is to simply completely ignore them.

How do y'all reply to spec work requests? Tell us inward the comments below!