Rusko logo competition - rediculous

[DFRNT]

So, I don't like to post "this is shit" type posts. It's not my style, but since this concerns 2 of my passions, design and dubstep, I felt the need to post this.

http://www.talenthouse.com/rusko-design-official-logo

I'd like Rusko to draw me a picture of me. I'd like it to be A4 size, and I'll print it on a t-shirt, and wear it every day. I'll also pay him $1000 for it. I'm also asking 500 other dubstep producers to draw a picture of me, so I won't use Rusko's picture if I don't like it.

If I don't use it I won't be paying for it, or putting it on a shirt, but if can take a few hours to do it anyway, that would be great. Thanks.

---

This isn't a personal attack on Rusko - I'm sure Chris is a lovely bloke. What it IS an attack on is "spec work". AKA - Design competitions.

I'd consider myself a "designer" - sure, not the best, I'll admit that happily, but I get paid to design as my job, and I enjoy it. What bothers me is when designers are invited to work for free.

Good, effective design involves a brief, and an understanding of the client - it also involves a contract that says "the work you're going to do, will be paid for". What it doesn't say is "the work you're going to do will be for free, unless you're the unlikely one-in-god-knows-how-many that gets picked as the winner"

What does Rusko get out of this competition?
A badly informed, "trendy" logo that may be compromised on quality which precludes the most important element of most design projects—the research, thoughtful consideration of alternatives, and development and testing of prototype designs.

What do the entrants get?
A diminished economic value of their contribution. Potentially nothing, regardless of how much time you put in. A risk that the competition could be abandoned anyway.

Thoughts, anyone?

[Sparxy]

I suppose for the winner is the kudos that you did Rusko's logo. I suppose Rusko just wants to get the fans involved. Maybe it's more for amateur designers, something for those guys as home to have a go at.
Admittedly, it is slightly gay, but I think you're reading too much into it. It's just a competition at the end of the day, if you don't like it, don't enter it?

[gwa]

well yeah as a 'designer' i agree, i havent looked at the link so i'm only going off what you've said.

he probably doesn't care and wants to give something back to the fans, just like a blue peter competition. loads of kids spend all night drawing for only 10 of them to be shown, way for them to be involved. the fans will see the fact rusko is using their logo as the reward.

fair play to him, if you're not bothered about guidlines and sticking to a brief then whatever looks good is going to suit him.

[thinking]

I've used designers who were happy to work on spec, and have on occasion not chosen to use what they come up with. Also, lots and lots of other work gets done on spec and never used - take bespoke music composition for example, be it pop tunes for Kylie, film score, adverts......

For the record, I'm not actually a fan of these competition-type things and I do see your point, but the simple fact is that noone's forced to enter, and the winner will be very happy indeed.

[DFRNT]

If you don't like it, don't enter it?

True - it's just a shame to see this sort of thing still happening. Design competitions used to be all over the place - but a lot of people got wise, and the design industry benefited, but when this stuff pops up, it just worries me that decreasing budgets, and a lack of consideration, for what I'd consider my livelyhood means that design isn't considered a "skill" but more like something anyone can do without any training, or anything.

It's like having a competition to have someone install your whole bathroom - but instead of inviting a trained plumber, you just invite anyone to "have a go".

[ashley]

lets all draw dicks and goatse using photoshop with the word ruskoh in comic sans

[Ted Gain]

also as a 'designer' i agree. but the way things are looking at the moment, anything like this on your portfolio will only strengthen it. although i probably wouldn't employ the winner, design is about development and coming to a well working, good looking finished piece. not jumping on photoshop for an hour or two, churning out something with a filter over the top like so many people tho call themselves 'designers' do nowadays. but i guess rusko would be unaware of this, he'll just want a cool looking logo.

anyway i thought this was the dubstep forum

[Ted Gain]

also, since when was anything sent around in .jpeg format?

[DFRNT]

Noone's forced to enter, and the winner will be very happy indeed.

Nobody is forced to enter - true.
But those who do are exploited, whether they are aware of that or not. (all bar the winner of course). From an article on Spec work - "You’re not getting paid, while you’re providing a service to the contest holder, which is about as short changed and inadequate as you can get."

The winner will be very happy - true.
That doesn't make wasting everyone else's time excusable. Also presumably if Rusko or the PR people want you to make some tweaks, edits, revisions etc - when does it become taking the piss?

I know what you mean though - "you don't have to enter" is a valid response. But if everything was excused by the "well just don't get involved" attitude, the world would be in an even worse situation than it already is.

[DFRNT]

also, since when was anything sent around in .jpeg format?

Yeah, that worried me too.

[DFRNT]

anyway i thought this was the dubstep forum

Ah, shit. I forgot Rusko's not dubstep!

[Pedro Sánchez]

[ashley]

WINNERRRRRRRR

[topmo3]

i'm really tired of people whining about these logo design contests. i consider them as drawing contests for adults(and why not kids too). If your time so damn precious that you can't spend 2 hours into making a logo or something, it's not like someone's forcing you to participate! the winner is getting more than a fair pay anyway, and they won't use it anywhere if it's not chosen so they're not really taking a piss on you either. I bet if a professional artist would design it they wouldn't pay any more than 1000 dollars anyway, so it's not really about taking advantage of fanboys.

[Amazing A]

Thoughts, anyone?

Don´t do free pitches.
Also, that valley of the shadows rmx sounds good on a big rig, dropped it last sat

[DFRNT]

it's not like someone's forcing you to participate!

The same could be said about this forum, but I wanted to promote a bit of discussion on something other than "isn't brostep shit".

I saw an opportunity to voice my (unwanted) opinion and see if anyone else had any thoughts. Sorry about trying to contribute. I'll keep shtum next time eh.

[Molzie]

I agree with the op. I guess it's a good bit of experience for someone still learning in the industry but this type of cheap marketing won't appeal to designers who are too busy dealing with serious clients.

and... lol at the brief.

[manray]

I get what you are saying but who's more fool? Those that participate in such competitions or those that concieve them?

However I don't see it as a bad thing. The people that participate do so willingly and probably enjoy doing so. I wouldn't though, I like to get paid for my time.

[bluenotes]

I think it's just a matter of principle and class. Or lack thereof.

On principle it seems like we shouldn't trivialize serious designers' (aka artists) work by turning it into a very robotic/formulaic/"pop" contest. Of course it's awesome to get the fans involved, but this just seems lazy and contrived.

Of course, I suppose he (rusko) has chosen to trivialize and "pop" his own art in favor of mass appeal. So be it, can't fault someone for making ends meet. Still, it's just not in good taste to outsource something relevant and meaningful to your work, such as a logo. Doesn't quite scream "classy". But thats just not what he's goin for I guess!

[symmetricalsounds]

don't see how it's different to all the remix comps you see.