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  • To Spec or Not to Spec – that is the question
01/29/2023

To Spec or Not to Spec – that is the question

To Spec or Not to Spec – that is the question

by imagewerks16wplogin / Sunday, 09 October 2011 / Published in advertising, communications, designer, graphic design, marketing, photography, publications, publish, spec design

Many times we’ll see jobs posted that ask us to come up with a design spec for a project even before the client agrees to pay us or even hire us. We know that this is a growing practice & can be a major bone of contention within the design community. The fact is, it takes time to come up with a design & these hours are traditionally billable hours to our paying clients. We have found that there is a bit of an “under-current” when it comes to the valuing of a designers work or talent. No, we don’t have a medical degree, certifications, or licensing… some of the creditials that people or businesses think that are valuable & worth paying for.

Between the two core staff here, we have 3 college degrees: a BS in advertising design, a BFA in illustration, and a BS in business. We also have several certifications in web design and most recently a certification as a Creatively Fit Coach.  We also have over 70 years of combined experience working in both the public & private sectors. We have held art director & creative director positions and have managed departments that created artwork for organizations such as the World Bank, USAID, and Hewlett Packard. In addition to our experience & credentials, our business has won numerous awards—both for our business & as individuals. You would think that with this knowledge that there would be the respect and our clients would acknowledgement that our pricing is fair and worth it.

I could go on & on, and I know that you are probably saying to yourself that what I am writing today sounds like a rant, but it’s not. Our clients and business colleagues know this about us and we invite you to call us to set up an introductory 1-2-1 so we can share what we know and to help you with your creative needs.

So, to wrap up my short commentary, I thought I would share a couple of humorous posts that were forwarded to me by a colleague that they spotted on Craigslist (this is what started my “rant” :->)

…………………………….

We’re all pretty tired of being asked to work on spec, work for a low fee with the promise of more work, and that sort of nonsense. These two ads appeared on the S___e Craigslist:

Need Photographer (originally posted March 10th)
We are a 5 person construction company and need to update our website and brochure with NEW images of our staff. We would like to give an opportunity to the right photographer to take our company images. Ideally we need a formal and an informal picture, also a landscape shot of our company vehicle. Basically these pictures will help us get off the ground and renovate our website. If you do a good enough job on our company portraits then you will ideally be awarded a future PAID contract to take pictures of our job sites (once we get a job!). We will want to have the rights to be able to use the photos on our website and brochure/print media. You will get a boost to your portfolio!

Experience in corporate photography along with a portfolio is a MUST or your email will be disregarded. We are looking at scheduling the shoot within the next week so be prepared to move fast!

And then a clever photographer posted the following:

Need Construction Crew (originally posted March 12th)
We are a 5 person photography company and need to update our photography studio and shooting space with NEW office spaces for our staff. We would like to give an opportunity to the right construction crew to build our new company digs. Ideally we need a formal and an informal working space, also a landscape crew for our out side shooting area. Basically these structures will help us get off the ground and renovate our old space. If you do a good enough job on our company building then you will ideally be awarded a future PAID contract to build structures of our photography clients (once we get a job!). We will want to have the rights to be able to exploit you as we see fit just for credit and a great job! You will get a boost to your structure building skills!

Experience in corporate building along with a portfolio is a MUST or your email will be disregarded, after all beggars can be choosers. We are looking at scheduling the construction within the next week so be prepared to move fast!

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Tagged under: certifications, creativity, degrees, experience, ImageWerks, projects, proposals, spec design, talent

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    Andrew Ilachinski, Research Analyst at Center for Naval Analyses (former colleague)
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    Rebecca Barnes President, Prince William Living
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    Candi Keiter Johnson Volunteer at Shih Tzu and Furbaby Rescue
  • Doing this photography class outside of school allowed me to deal with the stress and explore something I otherwise would not have been able to do. I learned the basics of Photoshop and editing, but more importantly, I got feedback from my fellow participants and my photography has improved. Because of this class, I have considered doing the art show in the spring. I have grown as an artist and found that photography is a de-stressor for me. I plan to keep up this hobby/activity for the rest of my life.
    Kinsey Denney, Photography student that took one of our classes
  • Kathy has provided photography services for our directory and many of our “signature” events, as well as worked with us on designing various collateral. She also did a series of PWC shots that we display in our offices. Kathy has a great perspective, and a way of finding beauty even in the mundane, so that her photographs help you to look at things in a new way.
    Emily Guerrero, Director of Communications (former), Prince William Chamber of Commerce & now Mightier Than (client)
  • Kathy is a professional in every sense of the word. I have worked with her both on projects for the World Bank and with Imagewerks. She has an eye for detail and design. The products she produces are always of top quality. And the wonderful creative energy and ideas that she brings to the table make her a pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend Kathy both as a colleague and a business partner.
    Barbara Yale, Deputy Country Program Officer, Chemonics
  • Kathy is a truly talented artist in many venues. She is also the ultimate professional. I am amazed at the work she does.
    Lisa Barsky, Strauss NIH
  • Dear Kathy Thank you so much for wonderful work at our wedding! The pictures are so gorgeous and we are so excited to see the album! Thank you also for working with us so much to make our album exactly what we want. You are wonderful, and we will deftinitely recommend you to our friends. Thanks again! Very respectfully yours, Kelly & Joe
    Kelly & Joe Coyne, Wedding photography clients
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    Gayle Whitlock, Whitlock & Associates
  • I am amazed at the portrait. GC did a phenominal job. I love, Love, LOVE IT!!! I remember when you took that picture at the chamber when I became chairman in 2009! I forogt I was having my picture done that day but you made me look pretty darn good! (Note: Kathy did her professional headshot & GC painted her portrait from this photo)
    Molly Grove, George Mason University
  • Kathy came out our office and did professional photos of all of our agents.The photos were great, and everyone has enjoyed using them in their marketing, etc.Thank you, Kathy!
    Barbara Costa. WISE AGENT REALTY
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    Melissa Harshman, CLIENT
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    Bruce Moore, Internet Ad Management
  • Kathy from ImageWerks took the photos for our rehearsal dinner and the big day. She was responsive throughout the process, and helped us to think about the types of photos we wanted to take ahead of time to make sure everything was captured on the big day (which was such a whirlwind, we never would have thought of what we needed day-of). The pictures themselves were beautiful, showing all that went into our wedding. We can now look back at them and relive the memories created with our family and friends, thanks to Kathy’s great eye for details. I’d highly recommend her services.
    Emily
  • Kathy Strauss did an absolutely beautiful job for our wedding. There were a couple of photos that needed some photoshop work done. When the work was done, I would never know that the “unwanted” individual had ever been in the photo! Her attitude is fun and unobtrusive and Kathy is very artistic! I’m happy to give her a 5* rating -Trish
    Trish & Jim
  • Kathy and Sally took wonderful pictures and were very nice to work with- very down to earth and made sure that we got all of the pictures we wanted. They provided a great selection of quality pictures.
    Anonymous

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