I can do better! 1010 Responses

Last post: 1 year, 8 months ago | Thread started: Sep 3, 11, 9:37 a.m.

RespondNew TopicDisable Images

• hitsuji

  Just wondered if anyone has ever redesigned something they thought was god awful and then gone on to show that design to the company and actually won work from it?

  For example, you see a website you think could be way better. Knock out a nice design for it. Email that company and actually get them to hire you to redesign their site.

  Sep 3, 11, 9:37 a.m. – Permalink

• registe

  why do you want to work (and give it away) for free?

  • Not free. You do like a homepage visual and offer to do the whole site "this good"!– hitsuji1/3

    sounds like free work to me, and a solicitation– registe2/3

    don't be a cunt, ever heard of pitch work... ?– set3/3

  

  You must be logged in to add a note. Login now or register for an account.

  Cancel

  Dog-earSep 3, 11, 9:40 a.m. – Permalink

• woodyBatts

  Often and consistently.

  • Even to companies that aren't looking for a new website etc?– hitsuji1/2

    it's how he rebranded both apple and microsoft– registe2/2

  

  You must be logged in to add a note. Login now or register for an account.

  Cancel

  Dog-earSep 3, 11, 9:41 a.m. – Permalink

• zaq

  definitely do that. When you show your new design mention that their competitors are interested in your work.

  • say: you wouldn't want to sell your design to company "Y"– zaq1/4

    Business don't typically respond well to this sort of attempt at manipulation.– Continuity2/4

    zaqs advice is spot on– registe3/4

    spot FUCKING on– registe4/4

  

  You must be logged in to add a note. Login now or register for an account.

  Cancel

  Dog-earSep 3, 11, 9:59 a.m. – Permalink

• Continuity

  There are several problems with this approach, chief among which:

  • There is no better, more fool-proof or more efficient method to get one's work simply ripped off without so much of a credit to the design, much less compensation of any sort;

  • It comes off as being somewhat desperate for work. You should be able to pitch new business on the strength of your portfolio alone, without having to resort to doing free work;

  • By doing this, you pave the way for perpetual disrespect from clients. Clients – like ex-girlfriends – talk, and it would take no time at all for word to circulate that you do free work. You would, consequently, end up de-valuating yourself, your work and the industry as a whole. This is self-initiated spec work, which no self-respecting creative should participate in, and you would most certainly end up being the bottom in all of your supplier-client relationships from that point forward.

  • '•'– registe

  

  You must be logged in to add a note. Login now or register for an account.

  Cancel

  Dog-earSep 3, 11, 10:01 a.m. – Permalink

• Ramanisky2

  Also helps if you've got a solid portfolio and you're work is top shelf

  • yeah none of that once filtered trash, put only your five filtered stuff up there– registe

  

  You must be logged in to add a note. Login now or register for an account.

  Cancel

  Dog-earSep 3, 11, 10:09 a.m. – Permalink

• registe

  • whore!
    http://www.youtube.c…– registe

  

  You must be logged in to add a note. Login now or register for an account.

  Cancel

  Dog-earSep 3, 11, 10:10 a.m. – Permalink

• jon_d

  Sure you can pitch it but they will just give the design to their favorite agency where the creative directors give each other head on the weekends.

  

  You must be logged in to add a note. Login now or register for an account.

  Cancel

  Dog-earSep 3, 11, 2:44 p.m. – Permalink

• mikotondria3

  There are no shortcuts.
  There are ways to be bold and use your initiative, but you can't jump to the front of the line.

  

  You must be logged in to add a note. Login now or register for an account.

  Cancel

  Dog-earSep 3, 11, 2:49 p.m. – Permalink

• MrT

  I did once, but not completely cold calling. I used to design PlayStation game posters and got hold of a copy of Sony's retailer newsletter which was crap. I redesigned the last issue and presented it to them.

  The winning trick was not the design (despite being fabulous of course) but I also got print quotes and made sure it wouldn't cost them any more to print the new design.

  It was 10 years ago (printed newsletters!?), however I don't remember sharing any of Continuity's paranoia about being ripped off, appearing desperate or being talked about behind my back.

  • @Continuity this isn't a dig, just a reflection on different times :)– MrT

  

  You must be logged in to add a note. Login now or register for an account.

  Cancel

  Dog-earSep 3, 11, 6:14 p.m. – Permalink

• meffid

  Generally you won't get a reply. Not the best way to get work.

  

  You must be logged in to add a note. Login now or register for an account.

  Cancel

  Dog-earSep 3, 11, 8:46 p.m. – Permalink