$25,000 Logo Contest
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- Douglas0
AIGA's response:
http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/…
- johndiggity0
The NEA is interested in seeing how the phrase “Art Works” resonates with the American public, and so we announced that we are seeking an image that captures all three of its meanings.
Since we believe that art works for everyone, this is meant as an opportunity to solicit ideas from as broad a public as possible and invite this country’s creative community to engage with their NEA.
We wanted a process that was open to students, designers, artists, companies, private citizens, and pretty much anyone who agrees that “art works.” To achieve that, this solicitation is not structured as a “Request for Qualifications” or in a way that is based solely on resumes, past work, and a track record of similar work.
Instead, this RFP is open to anyone who enrolls in the Central Contractor Registration, and it has a streamlined submission process that essentially involves submitting one image (in both black-and-white and color) and a three-page narrative that explains the thinking behind the proposed image and provides some basic information about the proposer.
The response to date has been overwhelmingly positive, and it has also engendered a lively dialogue about the structure of the RFP itself, in particular around the issue of “work for spec” in the graphic design community (an issue has been well captured and discussed at http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/…, among other places).
The NEA is permitted only to respond directly to comments and inquiries on an open RFP through the proscribed process. If you have submitted a comment on this RFP to someone at the Agency other than the relevant contracting officer, please do not take the lack of response as a lack of interest or attention. As always, we welcome a continuing dialogue with the creative community, as well as your ideas, comments, and submissions. We also look forward to announcing the selected image in the near future.
- harlequino0
They cussin with us?
- dbloc0
The Terrorists will win.
- fiver0
what really is the problem with this? if they wanted to hire a studio, they would have done so. they are obviously looking for a different approach and giving someone a chance that might not be directly involved in the design community (a student). aiga needs to pull their head out of their collective asses every once in a while.
- I dunno...I think the AIGA makes a pretty good case. That being said, it's not a perfect letter.luckyorphan
- maya lin was an undergrad when she was chosen for the vietnam memorial. it's a perfectly legitimate calling for a submission by the NEA.fiver
- The equivalent would have been for the Vietnam Memorial Committee to have a contest that would require a...luckyorphan
- ...finished product. In other words, she would have had to construct a finished memorial, and submit it.luckyorphan
- At least, that's what the AIGA seems to be arguing.luckyorphan
- bigtrickagain0
fiver, did you read the aiga letter?
- nope.fiver
- It's a good letter, but it has some minor flaws.luckyorphan
- Lifeinvector0
I'm a little confused. Where else does it say, besides in JohnDiggity's post (above), that a 3-page narrative be submitted alongside the logo? I've been hopping around different site that talk about the contest, and no one else has mentioned it. Anyone?
- bigtrickagain0
@Lifeinvector: here:
- Thank you. 3-page narrative, really?? I hope they like big type.Lifeinvector
- whatsup0
I wonder what the NEA's reaction to the AIGA letter will be. I think there needs to be some sort of applause here at the expense that I could have been a winner of the $25,000 to sell out our design practice.
There are many companies to my experience who treat their designers like people who flip burgers. When designers seek to be higher up on the food chain with business. It's from a designer's mergence with businesses that a company can prosper and continuously create ideas for the future.
The "designer as nobody" speculative is slowly diminishing and designers are getting the respect and understanding that they deserve. This contest represents NEA's position on their lack of knowledge on how to work with design. And teaches other companies to deal with design the same way.
- Lifeinvector0
Confused again. How is it open to "students, designers, artists, companies, private citizens, and pretty much anyone who agrees that 'art works'" when you are required to enroll in the Central Contractor Registration (which requires something called a DUN, which is basically a number to identify your business) ... ?
- Meeklo0
http://www.aigadc.org/events/200…
Ironically, AIGA does not pay designers for most of the design work used by the organization, this is ridiculous!
http://www.aigadc.org/events/200…In fact, not only they don't pay designers, but designers are required to be members in order to submit, which means that you have to PAY AIGA to participate..
Why would they pretend to be upset when someone else does it, is beyond me.
- <dbloc
- Hypocrites, the AIGA
must be run by those
Republicans...utopian - this to me its more outrageous than any design contest out there...Meeklo
- amen Meekloidentity
- I don't see a disconnect, really. I think AIGA is being consistent. Opportunistic, but consistent.luckyorphan
- SigDesign0
Although I'm against crowd-sourcing design in general, I might make an exception for this one.
There are so many designers out there who might not normally get the opportunity to create a logo for the NEA, possibly for their entire career. I agree with fiver about comparing this to Maya Lin... it's a good opportunity for someone unknown and unconnected to get their work out there.
- I second this, plus is 25Gs, its not like its 500 bucks you know? I don't think this aims to devalue designers, but to offer a challengeMeeklo
- a challenge and motivationMeeklo
- yeah... it's quite a substantial amountSigDesign
- the issue isn't the amt. of the reward for the winner - it's the lack of compensation for the 999 losersbigtrickagain
- with that mentality, you should not watch the olympic games..
(not that you were going to... :)Meeklo
- kld0
art works... for free
- doesnotexist0
I'm going to run a contest for mechanics to fix my car. If I had a car, I mean, that's what I'd do.
- if you fix it and i like it. you could WIN stuff. lol.akrokdesign
- akrokdesign0
you know they will be picking a really good one as they have sort great taste and know so much about branding. woo hoo.
- i bet the boss brings it home to show the "artistic" wife. lol.akrokdesign
- whatsup0
AIGA position on spec work
Speculative work—work done without compensation in the hope of being compensated, for the client’s speculation—takes a number of forms in communication design. There are five general situations in which some designers may work, by choice, without compensation:
Speculative or “spec” work: work done for free, in hopes of getting paid for it
Competitions: work done in the hopes of winning a prize—in whatever form that might take
Volunteer work: work done as a favor or for the experience, without the expectation of being paid
Internships: a form of volunteer work that involves educational gain
Pro bono work: volunteer work done “for the public good”Spec work presents risks to both the client and the designer
Clients and designers knowingly engaged in spec work share an equal responsibility to understand the potential risks and rewards:Clients risk compromised quality as little time, energy and thought can go into speculative work, which precludes the most important element of most design projects—the research, thoughtful consideration of alternatives, and development and testing of prototype designs.
Designers risk being taken advantage of as some clients may see this as a way to get free work; it also diminishes the true economic value of the contribution designers make toward client’s objectives.
There are legal risks for both parties should aspects of intellectual property, trademark and trade-dress infringements become a factor.- so their stuff isn't spec work, as you can't get pay in any form for the work.akrokdesign
- (aiga)akrokdesign
- you get paid with recognition, and promotion, they will take the money from you gladlyMeeklo
- Meeklo0
^
what about this:Speculative work—work done without compensation in the hope of being RECOGNIZED, for the American Institute of Graphic Arts speculation. But in order to participate you need to pay membership fees (an average $235 a year).
how is that not spec work again?
- no, cause you pay. they don't pay you. in anyway.akrokdesign
- more like Volunteer work or pro bono. something in between.akrokdesign
- but yes, pay to do FREE work. isn't the brightest.akrokdesign
- but people that do participate, hope to get recognition, that, specially in this industry, can as valuable as moneyMeeklo
- to me, their definition of spec work, is politically well written in order to accommodate their own agenda. that's just me thoughMeeklo
- now, back to fixing my car. i need double turbos on it. lol.akrokdesign
- I can't even change a tire!Meeklo
- haha.akrokdesign