Can we please all just take a few moments out of our day to witness the spec work nightmare that his website is?

http://99designs.com/

Please boycott, write nasty letters, and basically ingrain information into companies' skulls that designing is not a "contest" and all graphic work should be paid for, draft or not?

I think when my boyfriend and I start looking at houses, I'm going to move in with the people currently taking up residence in two or three we like... just because I want to test the waters and see which one works best for me.  Then I'm going to throw a wild kegger on my last night, make sure everyone is so toasted that they can barely handle a drink, then leave without cleaning up the mess.  Then give the house's inhabitants $25 for carpet cleaner, but ONLY if I had a good time in their house.  Because that's essentially the same thing as spec work.

"Remember, graphic designers are your friends. If you don't have training in graphic design, I strongly urge you to hire a graphic designer to create your ad. The results will be well worth it."

Thank you.

...but my clients can only pick two of those.

I think that's an important concept to take out of this blog article.  You know, in addition to the hysterical story in the comments about a client thinking a designer's job is to basically lay out a couple line drawings on paper in different colors; he sounds like a lovely client to have.

Honestly, if I could just press a magical "Design This" button so I could get ideas out of my head, I would.  In the meantime, I still need to figure out a way to deal with clients thinking such a button exists, because it's to the point where I feel guilty/horrible if I can't complete a project in 48 hours or less.

I think that this website not only makes me sad, but makes my career/degree look like a joke.

This comic strip is still perhaps my favorite of all time... and the only thing I've found in the past few years that accurately describes what I do.

Brandcamp

Just yesterday, I listed my services for a CD cover design in my etsy shop.  The general consensus was that my example design was great - it looked nice, something that the real band (Arcade Fire) might actually have used.  In addition to a full album cover design (including the front cover, back cover, and spine), I was also offering three revisions to a proof and up to five prints - all for $25.  I was told this cost was fairly pricey.  Meanwhile, most places don't even start bidding for the same package until $150.  Since this is my design blog, I would like to defend my pricing.

I work hard.  Sure, I work because having some extra money in my pocket at the end of the month is a bonus.  It's nice to know that I'm not shelling out what I make from my full-time graphic design job on rising gas prices and groceries because I like to keep all that money for rent and bills.  However, I don't feel like I'm asking too much with what I ask for my professional, experienced craftsmanship.  Sometimes, the most I can ask is to at least break even with printing costs, paper, ink, and time invested in a project.  So when someone tells me that $15 for 50 customized, designed-from-scratch business cards is out of their budget - when the shipping alone is going to be $9.95 - I get somewhat offended.

I realize that it's easy for everyone to claim they're a graphic designer these days and offer the lowest, dirt-cheap prices they can.  I'm not even going to delve into my theory that nobody without a degree in design should be allowed to purchase or even lay their hands on a package of Creative Suite.  I also realize how easy it is for consumers to fall into the trap of thinking these cheaper designs are "good" or "well-done."  Sometimes, they actually are.  But, I ask, how many of these design novices know what good stock paper is, or what resolution is best for print?  I have had the unfortunate experience of dealing with many printers in my lifetime - some good, most bad, but I have dealt with them all.  I also know how to somewhat work a real printing machine; we don't get along well, which is why I rely on printers to do most things for me.

I guess I'm just asking for people to judge my work based on the quality of each design and my professionalism, plus the great interaction I have with all my clients, rather than how much something cost.  I love getting to know everyone I work with and design for - half the fun is incorporating everyone's personalities into each of my designs, and there's no better feeling in this world than making someone happy.  I will go out of my way to make sure that only the best quality work is delivered to you, and you can be sure of that.  I just need to at least break even on my end.

That being said, I did just get a wonderful client from etsy's Alchemy.  My bid was higher than asked, but she loved my design and has been wonderful and interactive throughout this whole process.  Perhaps higher prices are a good thing in the end - I get better work :)