Most designers and developers like to think of themselves as professionals. Most business people or career-minded individuals seem to hold that theme near and dear as well. One could then safely surmise, I think, that most car salesmen, accountants, lawyers, plumbers and all others employed in "professional" work sectors would decline to work for free.

I notice, with great disappointment, an alarming number of available "opportunities" for graphic designers to work for free. To further clarify, these employment postings often display the remuneration for works completed as "the chance to add to your portfolio" or "a chance to grow your skills". Interestingly, I've yet to encounter an interior designer, contractor, lawyer, or electrician that would happily elect to a similar offer.

The RGD of Ontario obviously holds high eminence over those in the industry who have garnered membership, and they have strict guidelines regarding "spec" work and submission/selection projects. What of the rest of us? Who governs our standards and ethics as a collective, and drives to retain the integrity so many of us hold dear?

I believe that we have a responsibility to ourselves, to our fellow designers, to our clients, and to the industry in general to dispel the myths and misconceptions surrounding our rather misty designation. Every time a graphic designer signs on for spec work, or to complete a speculative project with no tangible remuneration, we degrade ourselves and the image of our worth. We owe it to ourselves to rise above this, and educate present and future clients, existing and potential, about the design process and the efforts that actually go on behind the scenes.

As a collective whole, I believe that we can not only better validate our worth as designers, but possibly even streamline and refine the
impression of our industry, and ourselves as professional commercial artists.