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Message: <blockquote data-quote="PsyzhranV2" data-source="post: 8360613" data-attributes="member: 7015332">These contests are a form of speculative work. They are bad for artists because these contests being normalized sets a precedent of companies being able to get design work for free or for far below market cost, in the process undercutting existing creators in the market. Assuming the company isn't looking for tip-top quality, they don't have to go choosing between artists whose going rates start at $100.00 when they can just open a contest and get 1000 people willing to do it for the mere chance of $10.00. That is not good for existing artists, and for new artists it gives them a toxic impression that their art and their work is worth very little monetarily and that it is expected and right of them to work for nothing.In effect, it's kind of like a company hiring scabs to replace striking workers. Except in this case the scabs are doing it entirely for free. This person said it better than I ever could:[MEDIA=twitter]1421143763154526213[/MEDIA]Plus, even if somebody is perfectly and eagerly willing to work for free, it's still ethically better to compensate them anyways, out of your own generosity if nothing else.</blockquote>