I've been meaning for a long while to write a long rant about the problems with designers doing pro-bono work as a way to do good. And while I still don't have the time/energy to write the whole thing out, I did want to relay an anti-pro bono technique I've been using lately...
As someone who runs a
socially conscious design firm I frequently I get asked by nonprofit organizations if I know any designers who would be willing to do work for free. My response is to offer to send their request along to a short list of former students/interns that I maintain, HOWEVER I strongly recommend that they offer a token monetary honorarium (a couple hundred bucks usually) as a way to give some value to the project for both themselves and the designer.
I explain that everyone is much more committed when there's money involved (especially if it's acknowledged that it's not even close to the proper amount that should be spent). I also point out that designers (in the US) cannot write off the work on their taxes since it is considered a service and not a product.
Every time I have made this offer, the organization, no matter how small, has come up with an amount of money to offer and the young designers (who are not only in need of experience and portfolio pieces, but also in need of some actual money) are glad to get paid something.
Next time you are approached with a pro bono project (for yourself of to pass along to others) why not give this a try (and of course share the results with me).
P.S. In the meantime
HERE's a good overview of the issues with pro bono from NO!SPEC.
Labels: design, nonprofit, probono, sociallyconsious
