jimiyo (Art Director, Design By Humans – Ed.) said: I have no problem with spec or contests, because it got me where I am today, and also it affords me the freedom to create as I wish, become better at art, and maybe eventually get paid for it. (Emphasis mine. -Ed.) I don’t expect to get paid, so it’s more the better when I do win and get paid.
Something more important!
Crowdsourcing, being undercut, etc is inevitable. The game is changing even in the freelance world.
Because of the global economy and the internet, the competition will get even more fierce.
If you view the participants of the contests, you will see more and more international artists participating. Artists from countries who’s exchange rate makes it much more profitable for them to haul ass to even win just ONE contest, or to do freelance work for much cheaper than an established artists from a richer nation.
As they begin to proliferate into the freelance world, you might find yourself being undercut by cheaper artists as well.
I notice this escalation of threats becoming enabled in many areas. Cheaper computers, easier to use software, easier digital transferring of art.
So what’s the solution?
Better work your ass off doing whatever you can to make a name for yourself, or get out the kitchen.
Art is mostly subjective, and becoming famous in art is also largely based on becoming known, after a certain point, not for skill level, so it is possible.
The cheese is moving ya’ll.
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P.S.
Someone is going to win money from the DBH contests, or Cameesa contests.
Someone is not going to win money from he contests, but will have done one or two more pieces of art, and having done so, become better at art, than someone who didn’t.
DBH… also has contests that you don’t have to use logos for… like the 10K. Just saying.
I’ve transitioned at least 6 designs from Quiksilver/KOL into regular paying DBH or TF designs. So smart artists, say like… Mr Rocks, https://www.designbyhumans.com/vote/detail/58013, might have himself a win regardless if it was entered into a “sponsored” contest.
We tried to promote the fact that you can still win without using logos, so calling out DBH is somewhat biased. We are not just asking for art without specific logos, etc IF THE ARTIST so choses. It’s very similar to Threadless’s PreLoved VolksWagon sponsored contest.
I couldn’t disagree more with that opinion. I sure hope I maybe, eventually, get paid too! It’s a bad argument and a raw deal for artists. Again, contests ≠ spec. Themed contests, however, are too close for my liking.
I am of the mind that spec (or heavily themed contests with restrictive work requirements) create a culture that diminishes the value of an illustrated piece. Client expectations for pay are lowered in a way that impacts the rest of the industry. Therein lies the rub. It affects us all.
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