Homework: Design and Ethics - what does "ethics" mean to you? Read the following "AGDA code of Ethics," "Starving for ethics - Ethics for Graphic Designers" and "Protect your Creative" and respond to the following questions on your blog:
What is "free pitching" and how does it effect the industry as a whole?
Free pitching is where the designer pitches their idea to the client without any confirmation that the ideas within the pitch will stay confidential, or the designer was not paid for the pitch itself. Both can lead to the "unfair manipulation of designers with the aim of garnering unpaid work" ("AGDA - Code of Ethics", 2016), as the client can then take the ideas and give them to another designer without acknowledging the original designer's work through money or confidentiality contract.
The effect of free pitching destroys the trust between the client and the designer. This slows down the work of the designer as they have to go through a confidentiality contract to confirm they will not be manipulated into working for free. As the commissioner's acceptance of the work should decide whether the designer is paid or not.
Why is it important to have a code of ethics in the Graphic Design industry?
The importance of a code of ethics is to confirm fair treatment for graphic designers and their clients. The code of ethics allows graphic designers and their clients to work together without the fear of unethical business practices.
What is the difference between a copyright and trademark or patent?
Copyright provides protection for the work of a designer, however the concept or the idea in the work is not protected, only the expression.
A trademark is used to indicate that a word, logo, phrase or aspect of packaging is under not allowed to be replicated. Trademarks are important as they help protect the reputation of the company through protecting their signature elements.
A patent protects how the product functions, works or the material. An example being the way a particular medicine works, protecting it from others to keep it exclusive to one producer.
Copyright protects the expression of the work, trademarks protect the unique aspect of the work and patents protect the functionality or feel of the work.
What measures do you need to take as a freelance designer to protect your creative output?
It is important to first copyright your work as it is free and will protect the visual aspect of your work, and then to copyright your ideas, which is done through helping a client understand the ideas are confidential or must be paid for, and further confirmation through a confidentiality contract if needed.
Next is to register a trademark for the unique element of your design, to allow your reputation of good and services to be distinguishable from other designers. Depending on the work, a patent may be needed to help safeguard the unique functionality or feel of your work.
To further ensure protection of your creative output, a thorough understanding on the code of ethics for graphic designers, as unethical business practices may be more subtle and harder to notice when first entering the industry.
Bibliography:
AGDA - Code of Ethics. (2016). Agda.com.au. Retrieved 3 April 2016, from http://www.agda.com.au/about/code-of-ethics/
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