And, yes, I realize this attitude doesn't make me a "team player" or "good employee" or whatever, but as you can probably already tell, I can't really be bothered.

In general, I think spec work sucks. But there are exceptions, so it's not a black and white issue. Everyone has to figure out where their own line is drawn.

@Sherry: Why aren't they giving away free ad runs instead of free market analysis? It seems to me like the market analysis would be more worth paying for than an ad spot in a newspaper. They've got it backwards.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) we work in a world filled with business people who could not give two shits about the color of their logo or website. They don’t give a shit about the quality of the paper their brochures are printed on or how just the right color combination can make a designer come to tears.

These people care about the bottom line and they want to know that the investment they make in their design and marketing efforts are going to make them more money. It is up to US to break out of the “artist” phase and show the real proof of how design effects the bottom line.

I think though, that it is not just clients who need to educated about the value of work, but amateurs as well. There are plenty of competitions out there that use wording that favours the entity holding the competition, and I assume it’s out of legal convenience.

How many amateurs are not even reading the rules of competitions that state that ENTRIES will have all copyrights transferred? This is an especially dangerous clause if there’s also the stipulation that the contest holder reserves the right to not choose a winner. Because that’s a loophole that can lead to theft.

I admit, quite a few years ago, when I wasn’t as aware and didn’t read the fine print as thoroughly as I should – I entered a spec contest. I’m glad I didn’t win anything, and I’m glad they didn’t use my art. The prize was pretty small (table space and admission to a convention, valuing about $100), considering what they asked for. The winning design would be sold for profit by the convention on T-shirts/posters/what have you (depending on the design); could be displayed on their website; and they wanted to be able to re-use the artwork in later years as much as they wanted, without further compensation. As for exposure? I can’t imagine that winning led to heaps of money for the winner either. Especially when they plastered the work on things multiple years in a row.

As far as experience is concerned; do work for yourself, family, and (sometimes) friends. Make a fan website about your favourite show. Create art to give people as gifts on special occasions. Be creative!

Spec work is not a way to get exposure or recognition. There are plenty of places online where you can freely display things that you created for yourself, and that can lead to things like commissions. Being active in artistic communities will do more for you than a spec contest that you might just end up wasting your time and effort on.

If you do any work for free, including donating work to charities/non-profits; make sure it’s something you’re passionate about. If you’re not getting any money from it, you should still be getting recognition and feel proud of your work.