A few weeks ago, I wrote a quick Q&A on spec work, and why to avoid it. I just came across the AIGA's (American Institute of Graphic Arts) position on spec work, which includes helpful sample letters to use in response to requests for spec and design competitions. As AIGA puts it, spec work "seriously compromises the quality of work that clients are entitled to and also violates a tacit, long-standing ethical standard." What do you think?

The Museum of Modern Art's "Design and the Elastic Mind" showcases works and objects created by designers in response to changes in society and culture. The focus is on the relationship between design and science, with over 300 featured projects. The website itself is an amazing work, with related projects tied together through an impressive interface. Browse categories such as "Harvesting the Internet" and "3D Printing" in this unique online experience.

Diesel is sponsoring a design contest with a very large canvas... outdoor walls that are literally the size of buildings. The company best known for jeans is asking for "intriguing/ inspiring/ insightful/ inciting contemporary ideas" as submissions, and the winners get featured on walls in New York, Manchester, Zurich or Barcelona. Download the 97 foot templates and submit now at Diesel Wall.

37signals, creators of Basecamp, has a solid job board with a focus on design and web development. With simple category browsing by design, programming, and business jobs, it's nice to search through a small list and avoid the big guys like Monster and Yahoo! Jobs. With about 100 jobs on at any time, it's an easy quick look at some top jobs (currently featuring a graphic design job for Facebook and a web design position at Vassar College). If you're a freelancer and want to stay that way, check out the Gig Board for part time work.

Over time, all the project files on your hard drive can become overwhelming. Versions 1, 2, 15 and 16... not to mention "postcard_new_new_5.psd." Stay organized now by creating a consistent file naming method and folder structure, and avoid a night of searching your computer later. See what people in the forum said about their file organization and get the discussion going again by submitting your own.

In 1995, April 27th was declared "World Graphics Day." The date came from the anniversary of The International Council of Graphic Design Associations (Icograda), and has become a day to celebrate design around the world. Icograda is sharing the plans people have for the day, which range from planting a tree to displaying screen prints done by 10-12 year-olds that were part of an effort to bring art into public schools. See what others have planned and learn more about World Graphics Day at the Icograda website.

Mr. Mike in the forums brought up an interesting question... we all have our hourly rates for design work, but what should you charge for other tasks, such as quoting, phone calls, research and travel (including sitting in the airport)?

This really comes down to personal preference. It isn't uncommon to have a lower rate for such work. Often, the best solution is to work it into a flat rate, based on your estimated hours. Every individual task doesn't need to be outlined in a quote, but be up front with clients about what they are being charged for. After all, just because your title might be "graphic designer," there is nothing wrong with charging for non-design tasks when working on a project.

What do you think?

A discussion that seems to come up often among designers is how to go about doing work for family and friends. Some say treat them like any other client, some say give them a discount, while others say avoid it at all costs. I've always felt this is a debate with a lot of gray area. Many variables come into play when deciding how to deal with this situation.

• What is your relationship with the person? Would you charge your sister anything to do a project, versus a distant relative or a family friend? It's a judgement call, but if you always give away your time, you won't be left with any to actually make some money.
  
  
• What type of work is it? You may be happy to do a favor (which can mean anything from a free project to a small discount) for a friend if it is a personal project for them, such as a wedding save-the-date. However, if a friend runs a successful business and is looking for a newsletter design that may in turn make him or her money, they should be happy to pay you for your time. Again, it's a judgement call.
  
  
• How much free time do you have? You don't want to end up overwhelmed with work, if some of that work is for free. If you do have free time, can you fit in a project or should you be spending that time seeking out paying clients?
  
  
• What is the benefit to you? Can the job lead to referrals? Is it a great portfolio piece? Can this friend or family member offer a service to you in return? It is not selfish to simply look at potential benefits of offering a discount to someone you know.
  
  
• Can the project add stress to your work and your relationship with this person?

Take all of these factors into account when considering working for a friend or family member. In the end, it is a personal decision. Remember, there's nothing wrong with getting paid by people close to you... after all, you are running a business. If you would like to help someone out but can't work for free, consider a discount as a compromise. Just be sure you are comfortable with the decision, and that you clearly explain your rationale to your potential friend and family clients.

A while back I blogged about Stefan Bucher's Daily Monster, a website dedicated to all things creepy and crawly. Stefan posted videos of himself sketching creatures, for 100 days, and the website expanded rapidly. I was happy to see the site is now a book... 100 Days of Monsters, complete with a DVD of the sketches, is now available. The fun (if sometimes not scary) creatures are bound to be a hit on your coffee table, much as they were on screen.

A new website celebrates the impressive work of graphic designer Saul Bass. Bass is most famous for his work in cinema, from movie posters to animated title sequences. He is given credit for revolutionizing opening credits of movies, creating them for films such as Vertigo, Psycho and Casino. As if that isn't impressive enough, he also created the brands for companies such as Quaker Oats, AT&T, The Girl Scouts, Minolta and United Airlines.