Jessica Hische
Out of context: Reply #28
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@ bigtrick, I've told that story here before, but here's the gist of what happened to me...
I did the same thing last year that Jessica Hische did here with her work for Louise Fili. I worked with a friend to shoot my own images of the work I did at my old firm, and gave them credit on each project just like Jessica does on her site. On the day I left that job, my boss had given me their blessing to show the work—provided that I gave due credit—then inexplicably changed their mind four days later. There was no contract in place with which they could enforce their refusal. There was merely the prospect of intimidation and broken friendship.
This seemed unreasonable to me, as it created a potential problem in my capacity to get work. It wasn't like I'd had much time to prepare for the jump. My boss had somehow found me on QBN, and they discovered I was looking to either get a new job or start my own business (I ended up doing the latter). I guess feelings were hurt, and of course I now wish I hadn't told everyone here I was trying to get out. So after coming home from a business trip, I was forced out with two hours notice, with the "blessing" to go forth and prosper, and the promise of three months pay to help me stay afloat. Magnanimous and machiavellian at the same time. I had to kick the networking and self-promotion into high gear immediately, because three months isn't nearly enough time to set up a design business and get it running with consistent, paid work.
I ignored their request to keep that work off my site and posted it anyway, because nearly all of my good stuff was designed there. Otherwise I'd have no site to speak of. A week after my site went live, I got a letter in the mail stating their dismay at my explicit disobedience in showing that work on my site. They said that my termination was effective immediately (what?! I thought I had already been let go), and the enclosed paycheck (6 weeks earlier than planned) would be my last.
So whenever I see a designer posting work on a portfolio site that they designed whilst working for a former employer, I always sigh with mild jealousy at the generosity of design firm principals who are willing to share public credit with previous employees. We used to have a great relationship but I doubt they'll ever talk to me again. It doesn't help that in all likelihood my name is mud with that firm's clients now. Not that I would've stolen clients from them anyway, but they could've at least been valuable sources of recommendation.
Looking back I'm not sure if I'd handle it the same way. I didn't do anything wrong, but I wonder if it was worth the hassle just to be able to have a well-populated portfolio site right out of the gate.
I'm gonna be replacing much of that old work some time this year, with new work done for my own clients; but I doubt that effort will be seen as effectively burying the hatchet.