fuck spec work
After many cold emails to art directors and creative directors, I finally received a response last week! A CD replied asking whether I would like to expand one of my illustration series into 48 colouring pages for their magazine!! I was ecstatic! I hooked a big one! But after I showed my enthusiasm for the project, the CD immediately asked for a sample design and a list of the planned 48 illustrations.
No quote, no contract. By email #3 they're already barking orders at me like they're my boss, except they haven't even paid me! I exchanged a few emails confirming whether I'll be paid for this, but they kept assuring me that 'usable' designs will always be compensated. Throughout, their tone had this sense of urgency.
They're asking for free labour.
They're asking for fucking spec work.
I'm so sick of it. All that time hunting for addresses and crafting emails, and all I attract is a CD who doesn't value the very thing their title is built on. Do they walk into a restaurant and demand samples? Are they willing to work a job where they'll only be paid when they 'deserve' it? They probably never made anything in their life, otherwise they would recognise the time and effort, the research and frustration the goes into making something beautiful.
They probably thought I was a desperate, naive illustrator who's willing to do anything.
I wonder how many other artist they've taken advantage of.
The magazine's called "Colouring Heaven" btw