The LogoSauce Blog
No-spec vs Spec
Dear Logosauce Users
A user has decided to use her profile make a political stand with regard to No-Spec. No-Spec is a cause promoted by AIGA to encourage designers not to compete in design competitions.
I could delete her profile or remove her comments – however I’m fair minded enough to let her express an opinion provided she can accept that others have a different view. So her profile remains provided it remains fair.
I believe there is a time and place for everything. Competitions are not meant to replace the designer pitching process. Instead they should be seen as a complimentary way to raise a designers profile, meet new clients and more.
As a client myself in the past I’ve been through the pitching process. It’s not perfect. We had mixed results. Some great. Some just plain awful. Sometimes because we didn’t specify well, other times because the designer wasn’t listening.
A Logosauce competition is a great way to get truly independent designs from many walks of life and different cultural and environmental backgrounds from across the globe in an open and transparent manner. Many happy clients can attest to this.
The client can typically find a design/designer they like (and it’s so subjective) and form a lasting relationship. This gives designers an opportunity to truly work with anyone anywhere on the globe. The traditional approach that AIGA defends is unlikely to do the same.
Logosauce represents a new way of making connections with clients from across the globe. We are truly global and open.
At the end of the day – it’s up to each designer to make his choice – participate in competitions or not.
Personally I don’t see any harm in them and I don’t see them bringing the design community into disrepute or to be the cause of it’s downfall. Indeed if a few design competitions are going to destroy the industry and/or careers of designers then there’s something wrong with the way the industry is operating.
Designers and design firms will continue to pitch their portfolios and testimonials at clients. Clients will continue to pick a designer based on previous work and recommendations, which is fine by me – but I think it is naive and arrogant to suggest that it is the only way a client should select a designer. This process shuts out the new kid on the block, the new talent without the credentials, the alternative view from the other side of the planet – protecting the old established firms.
So there should be room for another way – a way that lets the design speak for itself. We call this Design Democracy. Each design stands on it’s own and has an equal voice.
Good design should succeed because it is good design. The process by which the design is arrived at should be irrelevant.
D.
By Digger 1 month, 9 days ago.
Tags: designforumcompetition
Comments:
I agree with onesummer, although I’m sure that Digger didn’t mean it like that.
I had a look at the no!spec debate last night and it had turned pretty much into a flame war. Today it seems to have disappeared.
I also agree with Paul on the fact that the design process is very relevant in terms of where a logo design ends up. But I also agree with Alex that I think what Digger meant was not the design process in itself but the inception. How the design process got started whether its through pitching, advertising or via a competition is unimportant as long as the job gets done.
As for this debate (dunno whether it is one), I’ve been following this with much amusement. Mainly because I find it unnerving to see someone all of a sudden SO passionate about something in such a sort period of time. If I remember correctly, that particular ex-logosauce member participated in a comp just a few weeks ago and have also won a comp as well on a previous occasion. And to suddenly start ‘no-spec’ bashing to CHs after she persumably ‘woke up’ one day is quite astounding to me.
Like Digger said, there is no harm in a few comps here and there and it will NOT bring the design industry in disrepute. I myself have been at this for almost 15 years and its refreshing to see so many young and talented designers here on the Sauce! And to be able to interact with them, getting their advice as well, is invaluable to us old gunners. It is truly inspiring to see such great talent on display.
At the end of the day, there should not be any arguments. Lets face it folks, its out there. No spec or spec or whatever, its YOUR choice. If you don’t want to participate, fine, just shut up and do what you have to do. For those of you who do participate, enjoy, learn and of you’re lucky, you might make some money out of it! Cheers.
Yes you guys are right. I was not suggesting that copying or plagiarizing is acceptable. “The process by which the design is arrived at should be irrelevant” was referring to the selection process or in other words the traditional pitch process v competition vs some other process.
The key thing to take out of my comment is that good design should triumph over poor design whether the design is commissioned in the traditional manner or some other manner (e.g. a design competition)
when i have time i enter some of the competitions here, sometimes i’m happy with what i’ve done other times i’m not. it is true, we each have a choice to participate and it’s a good point that was made for designers starting out. i can see however why some would have a problem with free pitching, what i mean is, take for example a restaurant, you can’t try everything that’s on the menu then decide on what you’ll have or worse still walk away from the restaurant with a full belly.
I agree!!