Use your creative for free? Some artists say NO to Google!

[Paramvir]

For cheap clients who make billions themselves but want creatives to share their work for free in lieu of 'exposure', Gary Taxali had the following to say:

“So for you, I give you a special salute that I hope will keep you away because I don’t need your work,” Mr. Taxali wrote, followed by his own drawing of a hand gesture popular with impatient motorists.

Google representatives recently approached some prominent artists to 'share' their work with Google for their new browser, Chrome, for free, citing exposure to millions as the benefit. Some, like Gary Taxali were not impressed.

Exposure often is a given for illustrators, who are rankled that Google is asking them to work for exposure alone.

“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,” Melinda Beck, an illustrator who is based in Brooklyn, wrote in an e-mail message to Google rejecting its offer. “Both of these jobs were high-profile and gave my work great exposure but both clients still paid me.”

Read the full post at New York Times

And read here at Drawn!

Illustration from FormFiftyFive , cant seem to find the original source yet.

So what do readers feel? How many times many of us have been asked to work for free, just because we are gettiong a 'break' or 'exposure'. I really appreciate Gary's and the other artists' stand!

[subhash]

Gary Taxali, Melinda Beck and the others who said NO! We love you!

Google may be setting a wrong precedent. The nature of a creative job is such that 'exposure' is the given. And if Google cant afford to pay, who can?

I have clients who own businesses a fraction of a fraction of Google's size. THEY too are happy to pay for a good day's work!

[Desh Premi]

great going guys! corporates must learn to respect creative, true!

liek they say in India, If the horse makes friends with hay, what will it eat?

[vikram sharma]

great! superb by Gary Taxali!

Gary, are you listening! I read your interview and am now a big fan! Hope to work with you soon!

[DesignBoyz]

WE HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED GARY'S WORK!!

way to go Gary! Great artwork!