aquent site redesign-spec work
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- kld0
I got 99 things to design but this bitch ain’t one.
- Meeklo0
Interesting read, I didn't knew what aquent was till I saw this thread, but I think something positive grew out of this thread, or at least designers got together to voice their opinions against something that we (and I would like to include myself) consider unethical, I'm proud of all of those here that had expressed themselves without insulting, some of the responses here were incredibly polite and mature, and for that reason alone I'm glad I'm part of this community.
I think insults and bad personal experiences related to aquent, and unrelated to the title should be left out of this thread.
I think aquent deserves recognition for coming here, listening to the community and deciding to take an alternative solution to the spec work contest. That right there sends a positive message to me.
- letters20
Mistake was made. Mistake was corrected. While its true that most of us didn't expect this kind of mistake from this particular company it doesnt change the fact that it was a mistake. They listened, they disagreed, they understood an alternative perspective and then they corrected their mistake. Could they do more? Sure, one can often do more to correct an error - however I think this kind of turnaround shows some real humility and isn't an easy thing to swallow...
- hello_steph0
Aquent has been such a waste of my time. The Toronto office just doesn't get my work and they are so bad at selling me to clients. WTF
- OSFA0
well mates, I think our job here is done....
shall we go on to craigslist now??
- design_bitch0
well put, monkeyshine. i think i'm also more encouraged now by the fact that there were so many assertive people here and also helping me feel not so alone in the constant battle of designer v. client and just defending the design community in general.
makes you kind of wonder about the other issues we are capable of changing by voicing our opinions.
here's to you, the designer (and other creatives of course).
- +1 . I was so encouraged, amazed and proud of my peers. We stepped up and made a difference. :)monkeyshine
- monkeyshine0
Hey Nic et al,
I understand your upset and anger...Friday I was so pissed off. But...I think when someone steps forward and admits they are wrong (even if it's because they underestimated how many cages would be rattled by their actions) it is more fruitful to be open and encourage a dialog. Everyone makes mistakes. A famous designer (whose name escapes me right now) once said that if we never allow ourselves to make mistakes, to fail, then how can we ever succeed?It was a really stupid mistake but a mistake nonetheless. This incident touched on something that we designers are very sensitive about and subjected too time and again. There is an opportunity here to emphasize the value of design and educate.
- Agreed...but why should we have to educate a company who's business is built around design?Lt_Jack_Hammer
- that is exactly why you should. they aren't going away and their business model is about representing designers.monkeyshine
- This was not a mistake, it was complete miss understanding of the design industry and it's values.roundabout
- not sure I understand the difference between a mistake and a misunderstandingAquentminister
- duckofrubber0
QBN changing the world? 2012 is coming up fast then.
*dodges brimstone, scoops up four horses' shitpiles
- *also surprised at the lack of NSFW in this thread.duckofrubber
- max_prophet0
What's odd to me is that you had such lack of respect for your own brand that you would be happy to just throw it out there and see what 500 bucks could get you - surely someone at Aquent has a clue about IA / UI and marketing and realises that actually it may be worth spending sometime and money on with a team of professionals rather than random people on the web.
- again, this whole process serves to communicate their lack of understanding of several aspects of the design process, usability, and brand management to the design community.johndiggity
- I understand that you interpret this as a lack of understanding of the design process. I view it as lack of understanding of the communities strong aversion to this.Aquentminister
- community's strong feelings about contests like this.Aquentminister
- that seems to be your big problem.johndiggity
- Matt, I think Max's point was that there is NO process in contests like this. That's one of the reasons we hate them...not to mention the pay sucks.sintaxera
- to mention the pay sucks. We thought Aquent would have known the value of good design...you know, repping designers and all.sintaxera
- designers and all.
(damn these comment boxes dont fit alot!)sintaxera - not that it matters now, but does everyone know that participants can and do communicate with contest holders?Aquentminister
- holders? I think part of my problem is that we're not always talking about the same thingsAquentminister
- Aquentminister0
I'm still reading. Still sorry - not that "we got caught," but that we did something that people find totally fucked up. Feeling pretty idiotic for not having foreseen it.
- utopian10
$500 bucks goes along way in India!
- I think this is a good point. Is outsourcing design to India or Malaysia bad as well?Aquentminister
- Yes, if you want to undermine the American economy and American design jobs.hedgehog
- I've had Indian design firms contact me for oursource work and while it may be cheaper, I refuse as I'd rather send my outsource work to quality designers that I know and work with and pay them a fair wage.hedgehog
- I'd rather send my outsource work to quality designers I know and pay them a fair wagehedgehog
- This is why we should be supporting shared values. Respect for proper process and for the profession as a whole does not end at our borders.Josev
- does not end at our borders. We should be setting a standard.Josev
- agreed, everyone should get a fair wage.hedgehog
- I think that standards and ethics are not enough - you need actual agreements, laws, and treatiesAquentminister
- "you need actual agreements, laws, and treaties" Is that a joke?Josev
- not a joke, I'm serious - shared ethics are not and will not stop globalizationAquentminister
- utopian10
ID HIT IT
- Josev0
The AIGA has sent Aquent a formal response.
- Do you happen to know where they sent that?Aquentminister
- OK. I've seen it.Aquentminister
- OSFA0
Contest is cancelled... so what??? That's it? They'll get over it?
I don't think they understand the kind of damage and bad rep acquired. Wonder if the marketing 'genius' that truly came up with this awesome plan still has a job.
- Josev0
What has surprised me about this is that, typically, important post topics get picked up and moved other forums. This seems to have only stayed here on QBN.
- max_prophet0
AQUENT: "we haven't got as clue what it is you do, and don't even give a shit, but hey, maybe we can get you a job or something somewhere. For a fee."
- 23kon0
so yeah this doesnt surprise me they are running this greedy-ass comp
- 23kon0
bottom line:
recruitment agencies and agents are all just fuckin' sharks out to hit as many targets as they can and fill their bank account with money youve sweat for!yes they are handy if you are lazy and cant be assed trying to actually look for work yourself.
back to my first point ... fuckin sharks!
i got paid off from a company years ago, half an hour after id been told i was being let go (and i hadnt told anyone) i gets a phone call from not one but two agencies. madness eh?
they can locate blood from miles away!
- trooper0
ive blogged with all the links on one page http://markrushworth.com/templat… theres more to it thaan just the 99design site and the aquent blog!
- You should add links to the AIGA website and mention that they're major supporters of AIGA.Josev
- Also, it's worth mentioning that they, Aquent, do get some value form that relationship. AIGA gives them some legitimacy (or has) within the creative community.Josev
- legitimacy within the creative community.Josev
- roundabout0
I for one will not be using Aquent. It appropriate to think that Mat, and the the business model used by him is only interested in making money and has no real interest or understanding of the design community on a professional level. Very embarrassing for Aquent, and the design business as a hole.