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Template Central is unequivocally opposed to free pitching - the practice of clients asking for unpaid design submissions from any professional studio or individual.
Why Free Pitching is Wrong for Clients
Free Pitching substantially reduces the probability of an
appropriate and relevant design solution. It is a superficial option that wastes time and money.
Free pitching also jeopardises the effectiveness of any further
spend on downstream processes such as print, multimedia and distribution.
Effective design is about solving a client’s communication, marketing or business
problems. Free Pitching is about dazling for short term gain at the expense of a client's long-term goals.
Why Free Pitching is Wrong for Template Central
Professional designers get paid for their time. Free pitching economically damages design artists and studios. It also devalues the currency of our profession.
Other reasons against the practice of free pitching include:
- It suggests to graphic design markets that ideas are not valuable
- The cost of free pitches is borne by design companies, their employees and clients alike. More specifically, design companies for the loss incurred for unsuccessful pitches, employees for unpaid overtime accrued either directly or otherwise, and by clients who ultimately bear the amortised costs of free pitching once included (inevitably) in a design company's operating costs
- Many free pitch situations are designed to 'play the market' and indicate a poorly briefed project. In this situation the advanced roles of consultation, analysis, strategy development and planning are inappropriately separated from the creative process. (Therefore the true capabilities of a design company are not being considered)
- The value of relationships in business is undermined, with short-term gratification becoming the hero
- There is nothing like money to make a client value advice (and make sure it is good)
- Any instant gains of winning work via 'informal' submissions are counter to the respect that can be earned from using processes with which the general business world operates
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