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Title:

Is Spec Work Evil? The Online Creative Community Speaks

Your vote:
Yes No
Organizer:
Mike Samson, crowdSPRING
Description:
The “no-spec” movement has long held sway in the design community but the web has created a new model for design that allows a freer exchange of ideas and inspiration — and more ways to enter the design profession than ever before. What does social creativity look like?
Questions
Answered:
  1. How has the Internet changed the design game?
  2. What’s it like to compete for design work online?
  3. What are the benefits of virtual creative communities?
  4. How can I translate online creative work to jobs in real life?
  5. Where can I go online to boost my design portfolio?
  6. Do people make money this way? Is it fair to creatives and buyers?
  7. Should people be free to choose to work this way if they want?
  8. Is this just for the little guys or will agencies and big brands be next?
  9. Who can be considered a professional creative and who is an amateur?
  10. What other ways is the web being used to further the collaborative process?
Panelists:
David Carson (davidcarsondesign.com), Jeff Howe (Wired), Jeffrey Kalmikoff (skinnyCorp / Threadless), Jeremiah Owyang (Forrester Research), Mike Samson, moderator (crowdspring.com)
Level:
Advanced
Category:
Community / Social Networks
Type:
Panel
Event:
SXSW Interactive 2009
Dylan Oshin
on 11/8/08
This is a polarizing and important topic. The design industry is changing, despite the views of many professionals about spec work. The Internet has helped drive such changes, and companies like crowdSPRING appear to have leveled the playing field. Looking forward to learning about the changes and the dangers created by the new model.
shubho roy
on 12/8/08
I have heard a lot of talk against "spec work", but they all miss basic point: the so called "third world" perspective. I encourage all forms of debate, it's healthy. But I would want them keep this in mind: designers from obscure developing countries are benefiting immensely through sites like crowdSPRING! I can say this because I am one of those designers...
Lise Schleicher
on 14/8/08
Spec work is a huge issue for my business....definately an interesting question to delve into.
Henry Nisbet
on 14/8/08
I'm always looking for ways to improve spec work, making it more efficient, and always cost effective. I'm looking forward to further discussion. Henry Nisbet
Sharon Sprague
on 17/8/08
As a designer, I find this to be a very important issue to explore as theinternet marketplace moves forward.
John Cecala
on 18/8/08
This is a topic of high interest
Mike Samson
on 19/8/08
Hey everyone,

Thanks for voting for my panel. I am Mike Samson and I'm the co-Founder of crowdSPRING.

crowdSPRING is a community-powered marketplace for creative services. Whether a buyer needa a new logo, website, marketing materials or other creative content, they simply post what they need, when they need it and how much they'd like to pay. Once posted, contributors from around the world will work on the project and the buyer will begin to receive actual work - not bids or proposals - to review. And, as the submissions come in, they can review, sort, rate, give feedback and collaborate with contributors until they find "the one".

This business model puts us at the center of the spec work controversy and we are always ready to debate the issue. I hope you'll help us get the chance to do that at SXSW.
Alla Kimbarovsky
on 23/8/08
Social creativity? Does it help to bring piece to the world? It probably does in the long run. Does it help to understand citizens of all over the world without political base or religious prejudice, speaking in different languages, and brought up in different cultural environment? It definitely does, and this topic and the movement is the newest way to reach and touch many, to help and express a lot, to make a statement and to spark an interest among millions. In this concept: It takes a world to create and to fulfill the fantasy or needs of one! Amazing!
Karen Begg
on 25/8/08
This is an important issue and one that needs to be explored--talented people the world over now have a wonderful venue.
Peter John
on 25/8/08
Time and time again people and industries have resisted change. However, it is very difficult to stop a flood of millions of talented people who are looking for new ways to exchange ideas and to showcase their creativity. This is an important topic because once again we find ourselves at a cross-roads, and once again there is resistance. However, as has been proven in every prior example, the industry WILL change. It is important we understand the impact to everyone. Just like professional photographers who ultimately moved their business to iStockphoto, designers must understand that the creative design industry today is not like it was ten years ago. There is more competition, there are low barriers to entry, and there is great talent around the world.
joe doyle
on 28/8/08
Polarizing creative takes food out of the mouths of Americans.

Read that again.

Think about what you do every day. Now think about people asking for it for free with the "possibility" of maybe being paid.

What's more, going overseas for "the flood of millions of talented people who are looking for new ways to exchange ideas" will only hurt response. These people don't have agency training or development and in the end, the companies who purchase from these polarizing websites will fail.

This isn't the first such service in this vertical. Others have failed, too.

There are plenty of small shops in your neighborhood that could benefit from your business buying local.

I hope this panel makes it. This is a hot button, and I think Austin – one of the most local-business-oriented cities around – will enjoy the debate.
chris miller
on 29/8/08
Social Creativity and quicker ways to ideas, the space has changed the way we do business and Mike's got a great take on it.
Philip Tsai
on 29/8/08
crowdSpring is spearheading a new paradigm of working and collaborating in this new interconnected age. This model looks to be breaking a lot of old molds in the process. Being able to hear Mike talk about new findings and insights in this new creative approach will be greatly intellectually stimulating and thought-provoking. Definitely would love to hear and learn more about from the man in the trenches.
David Mayer
on 29/8/08
Great!
Mark DeMarte
on 29/10/08
Very insightful....the ideas were amazing.
Beckley Roberts
on 2/12/08
Listening to people cheerfully try to defend this old-as-dirt practice as "spearheading a new paradigm" would be completely disheartening. There is no way I could sit through this talk.

I hope there are constructive panels in the same slot or I'll be out getting barbeque.
last minute
on 15/5/09
I am so living this every day, good topic.
Essay help
on 7/8/09
good topic, but it so old!
free online games
on 24/10/09
Very insightful, the ideas were amazing.
iphone ringtone maker
on 13/11/09
I'd be super into learning from Kris. Dig it!
Payday Loans
on 19/11/09
Remember a player’s high score at least between consecutive games, allow them to save it, or otherwise show player progress between games
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