Position on spec work

AIGA believes that doing speculative work—that is, work done without compensation, for the client’s speculation—seriously compromises the quality of work that clients are entitled to and also violates a tacit, long-standing ethical standard in the communication design profession worldwide. AIGA strongly discourages the practice of requesting that design work be produced and submitted on a speculative basis in order to be considered for acceptance on a project.

Sample letters

Clients may, at times, request that you compete for an engagement on the basis of spec work. This sample letter is intended to serve as a resource when you communicate with these clients to explain why speculative proposals are wrong. You can modify it based on the needs of your particular situation.

• AIGA sample letter for speculative work

Similarly, organizations sometimes initiate contests as a way of developing logos or other identity work. Unlike disciplines in which the designer can bill for implementation of the proposed design (e.g., architecture), in communication design the submitted solution already represents the bulk of the intellectual work. AIGA encourages organizations to issue a request for proposals from qualified designers. This sample letter may also be sent by AIGA members to help educate organizations offering contests.

• AIGA sample letter for design contests

Spec work is a perennial issue for designers, at any stage in their careers. In 2008, however, the issue sparked a new dialogue among AIGA chapter presidents and national board members, whose positions ranged from “absolutely no spec work, ever” to a more lenient approach recognizing today’s open-source attitudes. In light of this debate, AIGA President Sean Adams has appointed board member Debbie Millman and Presidents Council Chair Mike Joosse to co-chair a Spec Work Task Force, to gather facts and perspectives from chapter and community leaders and members. The task force’s findings and recommendations will be presented for action at the next AIGA board meeting, in April 2009.

Tell us what you think.

Should AIGA’s position on spec work and design contests change?