Relevant Sources

These are sources I have found that inform about the danger of design contests, working for free, devaluing your field, clients views of designers and putting effort into your craft.

http://buildinternet.com/2009/01/the-real-problems-with-design-contests/

http://justcreative.com/2008/05/22/why-logo-design-does-not-cost-5-dollars/

http://logodesignerblog.com/bad-ugly-worst-logo-designs/

http://yourlogomakesmebarf.com/

http://www.davidairey.com/whats-your-logo-worth/

http://craplogo.me/

Plagiarism

http://www.thelogofactory.com/logo-design-articles/logo-design-contests/

Design Comps

http://www.davidairey.com/logo-design-contests-bad-for-business/

http://justcreative.com/2009/08/12/the-pros-and-cons-of-spec-work/

http://www.davidairey.com/the-disconcertion-of-spec/

http://blog.kiwicreative.net/2011/02/23/im-mad-as-hell-spec-you/

http://www.nospec.com/



http://buildinternet.com/2009/01/the-real-problems-with-design-contests/

Why to not use GoDaddy

http://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyclay/2012/09/10/5-reasons-you-should-leave-godaddy-and-how/

Books

Work For Money, Design For Love, David Airey

Pricing and Ethical Guidelines, Graphic Artists Guild


All of these sources reinforce the fact that you need to know what you are doing, you need to be in control of telling the client what works and why it works as designers we need to be more confident and educated about the work we produce and can't simple base an argument on style and aesthetics.
An interesting can of worms that I cam across was 'speculative work' which is pretty much all design competitions in which the client owns the rights to hundreds of designs and doesn't even commit to paying for any of them, and even the winner only gets something like $50.
This needs to be a big topic in my publication, as I, and the majority of the class, have all entered similar competitions without much thought of how backwards it is and wouldn't every happen in any other profession, it is almost accepting that graphic design is just a hobby and we are willing to work for nothing, which is the exact reason I don't do fine art.

I think that myself and others need to be reminded of the importance of a logo. Logos get a lot of bad press because the public see them as a squiggle with some font being billed at, sometimes, millions of pounds. It is easy to think of a logo job as a quick, no research required job, when in really this is the face of a company and should be the most considered aspect.

1. A logo is the very first impression people get of your company.
2. A logo needs longevity.
3. A logo needs to be original.
4. A logo should look professional.
5. A logo should reflect the time and thought gone in to designing it.
6. A logo is the starting point of your whole corporate image.

“first impressions often leave lasting ones”

Potential endorsements for my publication could be No!Spec.com, a website who are against all design competitions and designers not receiving a fare wage for a service. Other relevant applications could be for The Graphic Artists Guild or The Design Council.


To add some humour to the publication I will take some inspiration from ClientsFromHell, this is a bank of funny stories in which the client think they know best whilst at the same time proving they know nothing:

""They are only for my website, so I don’t need the full quality files. If I only take like a 4.5Mpx version of each photo, can I pay you a quarter of the price?"

"After being hired to design a promotional flyer… 

ME: What size will you want the flyer?

CLIENT: It will only be used online. The same size as the flyer attached should work.

Attached is a web-friendly 72dpi flyer.

After I complete the project via the agreed upon specs…

CLIENT: We are being told that if this flyer goes to a printer, it’ll look like shit. Care to explain?"

"You have done something wrong. I cannot see your photos. Please send them in a normally used format like Microsoft."

— Response to a zipped file filled with .jpgs

For some primary research I contacted a variety of design studios but only had response from an experienced freelance designer who I did a small placement with a few years ago.

Gary offered some very solid, specific advice that lends itself to the points raised in the publication very well.  I will use the information as large spreads that re-iterate the points made on the surrounding pages.