Someone sent me this article. It was a good read and brought up excellent points we've heard time and time again. http://ronnielebow.blogspot.com/2009/09/we-have-become-cheap-whores.html For those of you that have been following me, you may have noticed that I haven’t written in months. I’ve been extremely busy. Not so much in the industry (and workwise), but with life. I have traveled extensively this year. I had family affairs on 2 different sides of the world, I got sponsored and played against the top pros in the World Series of Poker (and made a final table in a large casino tournament while I was there), and I was a guide to 8 men on a canoe trip to North Ontario. The list goes on. My point to this is that I had a LOT of time to think. About my place in this industry, about the future of this industry, about what I want to do for the next 10 years. This week, I turned 40. A milestone. The age where I’m (supposedly) going into my top income bracket yet here we are in the middle of a deep recession. Work has been relatively slow. Friends in this industry have been crying to me. Clients have feared spending money, and all the unemployed have been whoring their services as freelancers. Yes, that’s right. I said it. Never in all my years have I seen the competition so fierce. Never have I seen people give their services away for so little. I recently had a client tell me that they found someone to do their monthly direct mail/postcards for $20. The worst part is that this client asked me if I could beat that price (and this is a client that makes over $20k+ in commission per sale). Are you seriously kidding me? Can I beat $20? Needless to say, I walked away. Quickly. Our profession has become tainted in the eyes of many thanks to $20 designers who pump out crap with pirated versions of design software. To an uneducated client, we are all simply Mac Monkeys. To their understanding, what we do is relatively easy. Crowd-sourcing sites, $99 logos for sale, and design/advertising "contests" have quickly cheapened this once-great artistic profession. “I don’t need to pay for one professional, I can hold a contest, and pick a winner from thousands of entry submissions”. I got into this profession after growing up with Mad Men. I’m not talking about the hit TV show but those same people they portray. I wanted the single-malt scotch in my hand at 4:00pm while I wristed up a concept at my drafting table (and believe me, I experienced this at more than one agency). I sketched naked models for years just so I could nail a pose correctly. I then went to art school for 4 long years and did it some more. You had to be a trained artist to get into this business. I penned an article years ago about my ode to my dying craft entitled “I love the smell of rubber cement in the morning”. Times changed when the computer came into play. For better and worse. It did however, allow me to land where I am at this very moment, working from a home office. With the Blackberry, my business changed even more. I have taken advantage of all the freedom freelancing has to offer. I walk my kids to school in the mornings, I take vacations whenever I want, I go grocery shopping in the afternoon, and all the while, I’m connected to clients, potential clients, project notifications, and my entire virtual office thanks to the little mobile device attached to my belt. Looking for work and pitching for projects has become a little too easy. Many design schools became businesses. It’s not so much about the craft anymore, it’s about how many “professionals” they can churn out. Once these “pros” come out, they look for work. Any work. Competing like rabid stray dogs over scraps on a bone. Name me one single industry where somebody can simply buy some software, hang up a sign, and call themselves a professional without any prior training or work experience? I see it in our industry every single day. And to many businesses and their owners in today’s economy, we are a dime a dozen. Recently, I got notified from a freelance work site regarding this listing… Description: The graphic designer will be responsible for the conceptual and creative design for a variety of marketing pieces including: permanent and temporary display renderings and concepts, posters, POP material, on-line advertising, tradeshows, newspaper and magazine advertising, among other printed applications. The graphic designer will also be responsible for some project management responsibilities. Skills Required: •Develop and design concepts and renderings ( 2D & 3D) as per client request •Manage multiple ongoing projects with frequent and tight deadlines. •Work closely with various personnel to complete and manage a project through to completion. •Strong at conceptualizing, a problem-solver, and creative presenter, coupled with excellent written and oral communication skills. •Superior understanding of print processes, pre-flight management, and burning files for archiving and distribution •Must be a quick-thinking, decisive and resourceful team player with the ability to distinguish good design from mediocre. •Strong organizational/time management skills and ability to understand client needs. •Succeed and thrive in a highly business/creative environment and take constructive/corrective criticism well Qualifications: •University degree/College diploma in graphic/industrial design •1-3 years of design experience •Proficient in a MAC and PC environment •Proficient in 3D software a MUST. •Strong knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite - Illustrator, In-Design, Acrobat/Distiller, Photoshop Okay, are you ready for this? Seriously, are you ready? You may want to brace yourself. Pay is $2.00 an hour. No, there aren’t any zeros missing. Once again, a University degree, 1-3 years of experience, all those requirements (including extensive knowledge in 3D software), and this complete asshole believes that $2.00 an hour is an acceptable pay rate. I could make more than that by humming into a kazoo in the subway station for 10 minutes. This job is not in India, it’s not in some third world country. It’s right here, smack dab in Toronto, Canada. I was furious. I answered the employer in the project question board with the following... “I believe you have entered the pay field incorrectly as $2/hour is an illegal wage in the province of Ontario”. What happened next made my blood boil. I was immediately banned from the question board on the website for “derogatory and/or sarcastic comments”. I wrote an email asking the site how I could be banned for bringing up the legalities of the situation? They responded with the following… “Regarding the amount posted for this project - as this is a global marketplace, there may be professionals willing to complete this project. Cost of living, and therefore pricing, varies across the globe. While project amounts of $250 or $300 may not seem like much to you, it may be the equivalent of $1000 or more in another country. Also, someone just starting their freelance career may be willing to complete this project. As long as there are professionals willing to complete the project, we do not intend to deny them the work. We certainly cannot force the entire community to abide by the standards of one group or another.” Seeing as this is a job which appears to be on-site work in Toronto, I replied back, stating the legalities again and that it appears the site has no problem making money on illegal business practices and slave labour. I quickly got my privileges back. It is time to take a stand to save this industry. How? I don’t know. We never had standards or set pricing guidelines. We never had a union and for the most part, we have too many out there that are hungry. The first step would be to stop contributing to Crowdsourcing sites and “Contests” promising us fame and fortune based on our winning designs. They are simply taking advantage of us, our talent, our thousands of dollars in software and equipment, and they de-value what we do for a living. As the site replied, “As long as there are professionals willing to complete the project, we do not intend to deny them the work”. We must stop being willing to do the work. The next step is to start educating our clients. Make them understand that conducting research on their company, conceptualizing and producing an effective look/brand for it (and all the other associated materials etc.) should not cost less than the 2 uneducated guys nailing new shingles on the roof of their house. Branding a new business and unleashing it into the marketplace should not cost less than a new set of brakes on one’s car. Until we can get this through their head, we are going to see many more ads seeking trained professionals for these pitiful wages. We are going to see the profession we love become something that just isn’t worth doing anymore. Going back to my beginning, what do I want to do in the next 10 years? Besides working creatively, I want to make some changes. Stay on top of these things. I want to see all of us getting paid what we are worth. I don’t know how to go about doing this, I don’t even think it can be done. I just know it HAS to be done. Because as I type this last sentence, there are now 5 proposals from qualified designers for the $2.00/hour position. 2009-10-15T18:39:37-04:00 19 2009-10-15T12:43:57-04:00 88741 false false 44251 182 1 2009-11-06T09:51:07-05:00 564 I've kept this under wraps for a while.. But i started my new job today for Atticus, Atonement and Jedidiah who are all owned by the same company, So stoked to be designing t-shirts all day and working on my shiny new mac! 2009-09-08T19:03:27-04:00 28 2009-09-08T10:40:56-04:00 74831 false false 13026 182 1 2009-11-07T12:03:07-05:00 558 I've got a client who is a real pain that is wanting me to research a new shopping cart service for her website because she thinks the one she uses now is stealing from her. She sells jewelry and paintings from the 50.00-500.00 dollar range. Does anyone recommend a shopping cart service they've used that will let me use a display system similar to lightbox that will let me have a thumbnail and enlarged detail shot when clicked. It needs to be able to accept credit cards and not just paypal. Thanks guys! 2009-09-02T12:51:18-04:00 6 2009-09-02T12:03:08-04:00 72741 false false 1146 182 1 2009-11-07T16:59:49-05:00 129 <img src="http://i30.tinypic.com/2d7datj.jpg"> <img src="http://i30.tinypic.com/2uerbis.jpg"> 2009-07-28T16:01:31-04:00 4 2009-07-28T12:58:37-04:00 57961 false false 3690 182 1 2009-10-26T14:31:45-04:00 131 Anyone ever watch that as a kid? The episode where the blob in the lake kills those people. Well, this just appeared off the coast of alaska. <img src="http://www.geekologie.com/2009/07/17/it%27s-alive-2.jpg"> So weird... http://www.geekologie.com/2009/07/wtf_is_that_12mile_biological.php 2009-07-17T13:05:43-04:00 11 2009-07-17T11:55:43-04:00 53591 false false 1661 182 1 2009-11-06T07:10:41-05:00 159 This site rulez!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111111 <a href="http://loltatz.wordpress.com" >LOLTATZ</a> I will start with my favorite's so far. <img src="http://loltatz.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/unecessary.jpg?w=500&h=413"> </br> <img src="http://loltatz.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/fingered.jpg?w=373&h=504"> 2009-04-18T16:41:56-04:00 29 2009-04-17T18:12:59-04:00 17731 false false 1567 182 1 2009-11-08T06:45:36-05:00 1442 Dear Emptees, Let me start by saying I would never mean to hurt you. In the beginning of the relationship we started out great. We were both so young and full of ambition. It didn't take much love to make me feel like a man all day. We tried new things together. It was fun. But lately, I feel like we're drifting apart. You've gained a little weight, and just aren't as pretty as when you were younger. I grew up and started seeing new people and hanging around with people my age. Lately, you just seem to be hanging out with the younger crowd. All you want to talk about is christianity, sonic the hedgehog,gauging ears, new clothing companies that only launch with 2 "pre-order" shirts, and so forth. I just don't feel like we connect at the same level anymore. It's not you it's me. Forever & Always, Faith By Design 2009-04-08T15:23:21-04:00 30 2009-04-08T12:21:23-04:00 16620 false false 1498 182 1 2009-11-08T02:19:40-05:00 702 I'm on <a href="http://www.teefury.com">Teefury.com</a> today! Feel free to check me out. <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/alkalinetriokid/?action=view&current=space.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v607/alkalinetriokid/space.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> 2009-03-24T12:17:08-04:00 12 2009-03-23T10:39:58-04:00 15939 false false 10680 182 1 2009-11-08T08:27:03-05:00 352 Hey guys, I know we have a lot of sticker resources, but none of them have static cling/window decals under their services. Has anyone have these done in the past or know where i can get them done? I googled it, but a brazillion companies came up. I wanted to check here first before i started emailing random companies. 2008-12-15T22:19:39-05:00 3 2008-12-15T12:17:53-05:00 11741 false false 1992 182 1 2009-11-08T08:26:59-05:00 247 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vxzIamlzoA&eurl=http://www.fazed.org/video/view/?id=848 2008-11-29T21:18:02-05:00 27 2008-11-20T17:53:18-05:00 10649 false false 7761 182 1 2009-11-08T03:41:14-05:00 548 Anybody else getting it today? I got mine about an hour ago and I can't stop playing with it. I'm pretty stoked! 2008-10-22T13:49:51-04:00 8 2008-10-22T12:58:09-04:00 9272 false false 182 182 1 2009-11-08T04:00:45-05:00 281 So, about a year ago I had read they were remaking Day of The Dead. And, of course I was absolutely stoked! They had managed to cast ving rhames, who did a good job in the remake of dawn of the dead. I WAS still excited until i saw this trailer <a href="http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=26142966" a> HORRIBLE MISTAKE </a> I've never been so disappointed... 2008-09-26T10:04:43-04:00 37 2008-01-16T15:03:17-05:00 740 false false 4864 182 1 2009-10-23T10:01:42-04:00 506 I'm not calling out anyone's piece in particular, but this is why i hate it when people post asking for spec work. For the next few days on emptees I have to sort through the worst shirt designs all for the same client. Potential Clients/Designers need to use this website as a resource the right way. Look through the pages for a design that catches you eyes. THEN LOOK AT THEIR PROFILE AND CONTACT SAID DESIGNER. /End Rant...sorry for being a dick. A little emotional today. 2008-08-22T21:45:36-04:00 60 2008-08-22T15:41:00-04:00 6661 false false 1027 182 1 2009-11-08T07:21:04-05:00 823 Some of these are really sweet! <a href="http://www.fubiz.net/blog/index.php?2008/06/04/1692-70-amazing-business-cards" a>70 amazing business cards</a> 2008-08-19T09:22:02-04:00 35 2008-08-12T15:51:16-04:00 6242 false false 173 182 1 2009-11-08T01:04:22-05:00 742 Is back....joy :) 2008-07-22T17:22:56-04:00 62 2008-04-14T11:26:04-04:00 2590 false false 1864 182 1 2009-11-01T10:26:06-05:00 793 Saw this pic online and busted up laughing. It totally looks like fueled by caleb in the background doesn't it? <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/alkalinetriokid/?action=view&current=phpwblooi-copy.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v607/alkalinetriokid/phpwblooi-copy.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> 2008-07-21T18:08:12-04:00 23 2008-07-14T16:13:01-04:00 5145 false false 1465 182 1 2009-11-06T17:54:24-05:00 640 Not trying to depress anyone but this was really a moving piece. And at one point I wanted to be a photo journalist. http://mediastorm.org/0020.htm 2008-06-13T12:27:11-04:00 0 2008-06-13T12:27:11-04:00 4119 false false 182 1 2009-11-05T10:44:51-05:00 218 Hey guys I could really use your help! This is my first design on dbh! I could really use some votes if you like it! I think emptees artists are basically in position to dominate that place. http://www.designbyhumans.com/vote/detail/13017 <a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v607/alkalinetriokid/?action=view&current=eyesoreemptees.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v607/alkalinetriokid/eyesoreemptees.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a> 2008-04-28T16:38:30-04:00 10 2008-04-28T13:33:44-04:00 2910 false false 253 182 1 2009-10-23T11:47:06-04:00 333 These are awesome photo's <a href="http://joshuahoffine.com/portfolio.html" a> Childhood Fears </a> 2008-04-25T23:25:52-04:00 5 2008-04-25T17:16:07-04:00 2856 false false 537 182 1 2009-10-17T17:13:27-04:00 269 And they say today's music is too suggestive. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpgWw1g-PD0 2008-04-18T17:04:40-04:00 0 2008-04-18T17:04:40-04:00 2703 false false 182 1 2009-10-17T17:12:25-04:00 232