Work For Free
Should designers work for free? No, but why do you even ask?
Sometimes I still get asked to do something for free. I wonder why someone would even consider asking something like that. Did they ever get some bread for free? No, of course not.
I have no idea where it came from that creativity is free or anything on the computer is easy and fast. Perhaps the story goes way back when there were few computers and few printers and we were always asking someone to help us, or it is a fact that we are not considered craftsmen; our legacy is only a few decades old, or maybe the computer is not considered a proper tool as the hammer is. Either way, it is disrespectful.
As usual, rules are made to be broken. There are three options where this can be allowed:
When you work on some cultural or good cause projects.
When you work for friends,
When you work for your family,
As you can see, I deliberately used the word work because every project is measured in time, resources, and ideas, and nothing is easy.
Cultural or good cause
The impact of a good design can be immense. Without it, even a really good cause can slip by the public eye, and the damage is done. We are bombarded with thousands of different messages per day, and only the good have a chance to be seen.
Friends
Every good friend needs a helping hand; no questions are asked, and no return is expected.
Family
You will learn quickly why this might not be a good idea after all.
If someone else asks you, remember to say, “No, but why did you even ask?”
Don’t miss the next essay. Signup for our newsletter
⸻ Newsletter signup
We always see ourselves a littl e better before we look in the mirror.
Fun fact that goes with singing in the shower and playing some air guitar. But lets transform that phrase into branding. When was the last time you looked with your brand in the mirror?
Side projects
Our work is not easy. You need to stay excited all the time, and that is impossible. You need to find something that drives you—things that blow out some steam.
What is a good design
I am sure we have all read a few definitions of good design; they all sound perfect and motivational, don't they? Some of them are really good.
Ai killed the lorem ipsum
When you love Lorem Ipsum, it feels strange to realize that we have reached a point where much of the content we consume is generated. Does this mean we are no longer creating anything new? Is content the first domain where originality is fading?
I’ve seen inspiration exploding to space
Isn't it funny when you scroll to the end of the internet, go through all your old books, open a few old files, do walks around the city, around your favorite wood trail, and even go to the bookstore a few times to get that little inspiration that would help you do a project?
The highest award for a designer: finished work, payment, and client bragging
The highest award for a designer: finished work, payment, and client bragging