Google’s free art furore
In case you missed it the New York Times reported last week that Google recently asked dozens of illustrators to provide artwork ‘skins’ for its new Chrome browser – for free. Well-known illustrators who were invited, like Gary Taxali, Melinda Beck (above), and Joe Ciardiello, all turned Google down. The article makes a good point that while professional illustrators do understand the balance between pro-bono work and commercial, Google should surely be able to offer up a few sheckles for their efforts.
June 24th, 2009 02:41
agreeeeeeed
June 24th, 2009 10:20
Working “for exposure alone” just doesn’t pay the bills . . .
June 24th, 2009 11:44
LOVE this bit
““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.”
June 24th, 2009 19:16
This exposure carrot is beginning to piss me off no end. Smells of a recent invitation to help make Dublins leftbank a much more aesthetic place for the pub and shop owners to make their loot.
ask the artist…sure he’ll be happy just to have something to draw for the day…
June 24th, 2009 19:23
No more working for free…it’s getting ridiculous and it’s insulting!!! >:(
June 30th, 2009 08:02
“..Artists frequently and appropriately work on a pro bono basis for charitable organizations and other social causes. Google doesn’t quite match this description. The proposal can be interpreted as an indication of contempt towards illustrators and artists who have been contacted for this purpose.” excerpted from a Nota Bene by Milton Glaser who turned 80 on June 26!
http://www.miltonglaser.com/