Dear Church Marketing Sucks,
I saw your recent “An Open Letter to Rick Warren about Spec Work” concerning his contest to design a cover for his new book. I get where you’re coming from – I’m a freelance web & graphic designer myself, so I understand the time that goes into designs and working with a client.
But…come on. I think the whole no-spec deal makes sense for corporations, businesses, etc., but when people are just having fun contests that NO ONE IS UNDER ANY OBLIGATION TO COMPETE IN, turning it into such a big deal is ridiculous. John Saddington’s fun contest to design him a business card was also hijacked by the no-spec crew who poo-pooed the idea until he eventually shut it down.
Again – I get the fact that if a professional designer sees this and spends a whole day coming up with a killer design, and it’s not chosen, they’re out hundreds of dollars and precious time. But to host a contest to spark creativity and open it up to anyone – with the possibility of getting their name out for a sweet business card for Human3rror or a book cover for one of the most well-known evangelical pastors in the world, what is wrong with that?
You ended your Open Letter by citing the fact that “spec requires the designer to invest time and resources with no guarantee of payment.” I know – I get that. But you know…? It’s absolutely and totally optional and up to the designer whether or not they enter into such a contest or competition.
The no-spec conversation is an incredibly hot debate – but I think people just need to get over it. If designers and freelancers and amateur folk want to enter into a design contest like this – and if they find it a fun creative outlet for themselves (regardless of the end result) – why do we need to try and stop that from happening?
Thanks for your time Church Marketing Sucks guys.
