Designers Unite! Revolt! STRIKE!

"There is nothing worse than having a job, except looking for a job."

We all know that's true. Unless you've never looked for a job. It sucks, okay.

Another favorite quote (from the movie Slacker): "I may live badly, but at least I don't have to work to do so!"

Let me tell you, little designers just out of college, how much you're hurting the market right now. And yourself. Take notes.

In the United States of Whatever, no one is taught visual literacy. They also can't create their own webpages that actually sell the $6 million property they're attempting to sell. They have no clue. You have, in your hands right now, the power to bring the masses to their knees; don't sell that power lightly. Don't bite at $10/hour. Don't do it.

To do so is a serious disservice to both you, and the rest of us that came before you.

Actual craigslist post today (and if you don't know, learn this cuz it's real helpful--craigslist is simply the best place to find an honest job):

I need you to help me in setting up a gallery that would fit seamlessly into a site I am designing. By gallery, I mean something like this...where anyone can get a membership (moderated), and then build their own gallery and people can search the site for particular people.

Compensation? $100.

Um, anyone capable of that is worth $100/hour, not $100; I'm personally not capable of pulling that off in a week's time, though I could do it. Really. DON'T SELL YOURSELF THIS SHORT. REFUSE IT. I mean it. Go ON STRIKE!

I foolishly thought since the "dotcom bust" was over, and jobs started appearing again for my talents, experience, and education, that everything was now gravy again. NOT SO. You are a FOOL if you bite any of this crap. Take into consideration, before accepting any job offer, else I'm sorry, you're a WHORE:

1. How much money are THEY going to make from YOUR effort? If that answer's something like $6M (a REAL answer I just experienced), and they're offering $10/hour, tell 'em to PISS OFF. No, really. I don't care how desperate you are; that simply doesn't compute, and isn't fair to any of us. The only reason they can ask $10 is because some of you idiots will actually say YES.

2. Don't forget you can make $10/hour pouring coffee (with tips)! Why the heck are you letting these pigs rape you? I could go to the Walgreen's a block away if that's what I wanted to make--you have talent no one else does, knowledge no one else does--THEY'RE AT YOUR MERCY. If you all go on strike with me, RIGHT NOW, their companies FOLD.

3. They abuse the "portfolio thing" like no one's business. Don't listen to it. I don't care how young you are. Charge them a "kill fee" (yes, you can--I use 50% of what I'd charge otherwise) and if they use your designs whilst not paying you, SUE THEIR ASS! You have EVERY right to. Look, they have the money; they're creeps and cheapskates that just don't appreciate or acknowledge creative talent as essential to their business; in that case, they shouldn't have asked for our help. Don't give it for free, EVER. YOU are their success; DON'T let 'em forget it.

I don't know how to put this more plainly--from what I'm seeing right now, though, JUST REFUSE. STRIKE! Honestly, you can make more money per hour pouring coffee.

And that's SICK.

So quit letting it happen. Just say NO!!!