Google to artists: Sorry, but you’ll have to work for free
By Matthew Shaer | 06.15.09
In an effort to promote its new Chrome browser, Google recently asked a gaggle of high-profile illustrators and artists to produce personalized “skins” – unique design schemes that could be downloaded by Chrome users across the globe. The catch? Google, the multi-billion dollar corporate behemoth, wouldn’t pay the artists a dime.
As The New York Times noted, the project does have a precedent. Last year, Google asked Jeff Koons and Bob Dylan, among other high-profile artists, to submit work for iGoogle, a personalized homepage template.
“While we don’t typically offer monetary compensation for these projects,” the company said in a statement, “through the positive feedback that we have heard thus far we believe these projects provide a unique and exciting opportunity for artists to display their work in front of millions of people.”
The offer has received a swift rebuke from the artists, who condemned Google for not respecting the value of intellectual property.
“Google calls me and wants my work for their new search engine all over the web,” Gary Taxali, a well-known illustrator wrote on the website Drawger. “The fee? Nothing…. Here’s to every client with [expletive] fees and terms: Do not waste my time or contact me. I am very busy working with clients who respect artists and you’re wasting my time with your solicitations. So for you, I give you a special salute that I hope will keep you away, because I don’t need your work.”
The post was since removed from the Drawger site, but the Drawn! blog has reproduced it here.
According to the Times, Google reported profits of $1.42 billion in the first quarter of this year – a staggering number. So can’t the company afford to commission artwork for Chrome? Google’s argument is simple: there’s plenty of exposure to be had here, and that exposure can easily be translated into a spike in business for freelance artists. The problem: many of the artists propositioned by Google are already well-known, and accustomed to premium rates for their work.
“I have done gift cards for Target that are in stores nationwide and animations for Nickelodeon that run 24 hours a day worldwide on cable TV,” Brooklyn illustrator Melinda Beck wrote to Google, according to the Times. “Both of these jobs were high-profile and gave my work great exposure but both clients still paid me.”
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2. Nick Smith | 06.15.09
The idea that “exposure” has value is a big giant myth perpetrated by the exploitave and the naive.
I speak from firsthand experience.
3. Luke | 06.15.09
Yeah I kinda agreed Google should pay.
Funny how the artist got so angry though - a simple no would suffice.
4. moon j. | 06.16.09
Great point Nick!
Asking artists to work for ‘exposure’ is wrong. Bob Dylan can live without Google’s free promotion. His 50 year stellar career is proof.
5. Nick Smith | 06.16.09
The idea that “exposure” has value is a big giant myth perpetrated by the exploitave and the naive.
I speak from firsthand experience.
BTW I love your blog!
7. Overstim | 06.16.09
If you don’t know why these artists are getting upset, then you’re not an artist. This is a far too common occurrence, and it gets really frustrating to be solicited day in and day out to do work “on spec”, “for credit” or “for exposure”. Doctors, carpenters, masons, housepainters, psychiatrists, car mechanics… everyone can benefit from exposure, and yet none of these professionals are ever expected to work for free. It is a growing trend, and one that needs to be put down before it gets even more out of hand.
8. mike | 06.16.09
does any body have any idea how much money bob turns down from ad agencies for a photo or quote implying he endorses and/or uses these products? i am pretty sure somebody reads all this stuff and answers in a form letter. this is one reason he dresses so wierd outdoors with hats on etc. imagine a photo of bob on line at a burger king or micky d . they would lay millions at his feet to be able to listen and run with bob saying ” i’ll have a #3 ” thousands would be losing their jobs if it was made known that he buys his jeans at sears. but many more would be surprised if they knew how much he does for free and by writing a check for thousands because he saw and read about a playground needed a new swing set at a free day care.
9. anonymous | 06.17.09
The reason artists are getting so angry is because at the end of the day Google is asking them to do a job. Everyone else gets paid to go to work and do their jobs, and we all have jobs so that we can survive and support ourselves. Why then should artists be treated any differently and be asked to work for free when the it’s their job?
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1. flatrock | 06.15.09
It’s amusing that these artists are getting so upset. Google offered them an opportunity to get their work seen by a lot of people. If that doesn’t have value to them, then they should decide to not participate.
However, there are likely a lot of talented artists out there that would love to have this same opportunity to gain name recognition. I doubt that Google will have trouble finding interested artists.
These unnecessarily arrogant responses from these artists will likely just help Google advertise that they are looking for artwork from artists interested in this opportunity.