http://www.redhatinfotech.com/

http://www.redhatinfotech.com/

If not, then what you are suggesting is different than what is being discussed here. For instance I would enjoy to go to 50 or 100 restaurants for dinner and only pay the one that I enjoyed most and pay them substantially less than they would otherwise get. But its unethical to do to those people providing the service and trying to make a living – plus that industry would NEVER allow it.

@scottsemple – digideth's question was at least on topic, no need to get defensive. The open-source comparison was addressed masterfully above. I might add to it that even in open-source communities, the authors get to have credit for their work attached to the project somewhere whereas a designer gets none. How many logos do you see that say who designed them?

How To Build A Shed

How To Build A Shed

I think experienced designers will always refuse spec work. Because experience quickly tells us that it isn't workable. It is based on a one-sided brief, rather than a dialogue on requirements and circumstances.

Maybe its a good thing in many respects. it provides a solution for those who can't afford proper design skills (who will then leave me alone), and gives up-and-comers a low risk place to get burned and unfairly treated. a head start on the industry, so say I. Those who are unhappy will then pay for what they need, so maybe we should quit with the transparently threatened stance.

You ask “How do you think the issue should be resolved?” — this is kind of presumptuous; who says spec work needs any kind of resolution?

The simple fact is that spec work is capitalism at its best. Personally, I would never do spec work because I wouldn't want to invest my time without receiving a guaranteed financial benefit. It's just not how I roll, and I assume many other professionals are the same.

However, there *are* designers out there willing to do spec work. Nobody has the right to stop them from doing so.

The fact that spec work exists at all proves that 1) clients want it, and 2) some designers are willing to provide it. Is spec work exploiting designers? Is it resulting in lower value for the client? The answers to these questions don't even matter if both parties willingly engage in an agreement.

As you suggested, a good step would be to educate clients about the benefits of a client / designer relationship, and also educating designers about the value of their services.

It kind of reminds me of going to a used car salesman. Sure, you won't get the best vehicle possible, but you'll find *something* that fits your budget.

I think you're spot on in that us designers need to agree on what is and what is not spec work.

Beyond that it's all about educating our clients that in design “you get what you pay for”. You are paying for the thinking and the problem solving, not just the ultimate outcome.

I also completely agree with @mattpuchlerz's response to @scottsemple about open source vs. design on spec. Well put.

Cheers, Jussi

…but no doubt still brilliant in some other way.

;)