Travel expenses will be paid…

So recently I’ve been working freelance as opposed to “on placement” at companies, which means better wages, more responsibility, but a good deal more input on projects and a real sense of having an impact on a studios work. Although saying this, I know that I’m still relatively inexperienced in the design world so would be open to working on paid placements at respected design agencies where I’d value the opportunity to work alongside other seasoned proffessionals.

Pay attention to that last paragraph though; paid placements in respected design agencies.

Too often I see ads like the one above being posted by start up businesses and even (slightly sickeningly) design agencies. I understand fully the position that a new design company can be in: a creative director leaves an established company to start up on his/her own. He/she doesn’t have enough work to offer up a permanent position as yet and so employs a recent grad on a placement/freelance basis (much like my friend Ben, currently at B&B Studio). This is great for the graduate as it provides hands on experience working alongside a well respected designers, allowing them to learn skills and techniques that can only be gained from working closely on client briefs and possibly a job if the studio continues to grow. It’s also great for the creative director, as they get the passion and enthusiasm of a young designer, plus can keep expenditure pretty low until more work is guaranteed. 

Brilliant, everyone is happy.

However, some other people see this happening and think “Great! We can get someone who doesn’t fully understand the industry yet to come and work for peanuts and claim that they should value the experience! Get an ad up on YCN!”. The agency posts an ad in the hope that a recent graduate, struggling to find work and experience in the current economic storm, will run round doing their work for them whilst barely being able to make rent and food shopping each week.

Similarly, a new business starts up. They ring a design/branding agency to get a quote for their branding and identity. They think “Hmmm…thats actually quite expensive. I mean, I am serious about my business, but is it really going to cost that much for someone to pick some pretty colours and draw a logo for me?”. Just then, a friend of a friend points out that they know a few design students/recent grads who are looking for design experience to put on their c.v’s and again, they think ”Great! We can get someone who doesn’t fully understand the industry yet to come and work for peanuts and claim that they should value the experience! Get an ad up on YCN!”

It’s pretty cynical isn’t it? I’m happy to admit that I have worked for free in the past (for design agencies and for start up businesses) though each time I have it’s lead to further freelance work paid at the appropriate rate. I made sure I knew these people properly first and that they could be trusted in the long term. Recently though I’ve noticed an increase in the number of ads similar to those above, posted by people taking advantage of the current lack of jobs on the market to get grads to work for a sub-par rate of pay on the premise of “real design experience”.

For smaller studios it is understandable that they don’t pay students on placement, as their skills may not necessarily transfer into the industry yet (I have worked for a couple of great little studios who do this) but when it comes to post-grad placements then you really should be able to spare a few pennies for the rent and food. And if you’re worried about them not working hard enough for that money or that they’re not good enough then tell them so and let them go. If they really want to do this they’ll re-double their efforts in either instance and eventually find employment, thanking you for the kick up the arse.

Small businesses advertising these positions should really take a look at themselves and ask themselves if they really value their business. Because if they do then they will appreciate the ability of design and branding to help a company grow and should happily pay for it.

Otherwise people, leave the kids alone. Rant over.