being forced to work on non-work related contests at work?

Question

The past 2 years - and possibly even before I worked here, we have worked on something called the "NOVA" awards, which is a type of marketing award contest put out by the American Marketing Association.

I am technically in the marketing department, though I am a designer and not part of this particular association, though I am a member of the AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) - the equivalent, of AMA but for designers. Our department now consists of 3 marketing personnel, 3 designers and our manager.

For this contest, the advisors get together and discuss which pieces they would like to enter in the NOVA awards. They generally pick 3 campaigns to enter, though last year they picked four. (continued)

They write the commentary (which we have to format in a design program with them to match the marketing campaign) and then rely upon us to "make it all pretty" for them. Basically this ends up being 3 mini-portfolios of each campaign. It is A LOT of work and we are expected to work on these AT WORK.

I have a serious problem with this for several reasons. 1 - I won't lie - I am rather annoyed that we don't get any recognition for our wins. Last year we got 1 first place and 2 2nd places. Our marketers go to stand on stage, receive their award and get pictures taken and have the award on their desk. While I was working on this project with the person who was the marketer on my team, I was told that the "design didn't matter" and that "only the numbers counted they don't judge based on design". Well I'm sorry but if that is the case, why am I helping you?? What for? That kind of ungratefullness and thoughtlessness for my HOURS of work really pissed me off.

(continued)

The second reason I have a problem with this is that I don't feel I should be forced to work on a non-work related contest at work. Bottom line - it is not work related and that is not what I am getting paid to do.

I plan on offering help printing the things for next year's NOVA awards but I will not devote hours and hours to the design of their binders just to be told later that design doesn't matter.

How would you suggest I bring this up to my boss in a way that doesn't make me seem like I am being lazy? I feel like that is how he will take this because of how he is, but bottom line - this is not work related! I don't feel I should be made to work on these folders at all. If I were working on an AIGA project I suer wouldn't ask one of them to do my write up!

Not to mention it is an EMBARASSMENT to enter things in the condition this department suggests. They actually made us use 3 ring binders and CONSTRUCTION PAPER rather than itoya folders and acid free mounting paper.

To the other designer:

I am salaried, yes. I also understand what you mean by the contest being good PR for our company - HOWEVER we are not a marketing company, we are a financial institution. I suppose it gives us some exposure to the local people in marketing (since those are the only ones who will ever know of this) but considering our company is the biggest in our city - everyone already knows who we are anyway, so I don't even see that as a reason.

The projects are split up among the designers, yes. But as far as making it not so pretty, I also see your point. But I take a lot of pride in my work and can't make myself just do a crap job of something such as that. I'd rather have THEM do a crappy job and then lose next year lol!

I don't know, I just need a good way to bring it up to my boss so that it doesn't end up making me look bad - because I care about my work and this is something that interferes with it.

Oh and as far as an initiation to get good positions in this company - there is NO upward mobility for designers in this company, as I stated before we are a financial institution, if I want a promotion I'll have to get it by finding a new job, which yeah, will be the next step.

Answer 1

That does it ! I understand what you are saying and why it makes you feel like you were singled out and it is simply not what you expected from work.

The scary part of this experience is --you have wasted 2 yrs of your life already.Can back out of this bad situation in a classy manner, such as finding another job and just saying goodbye, adieu, I am serving the peace corp and will leave tomorrow.

Before you do that. Ask around. Who did these projects before. Maybe it is an inititation to get into the good positions within the company.

Take time to talk to the previous \'victims" Find out if they were eventually rewarded with plum jobs for their sacrifice.

If the answer is "NO", pack up and move on.

Answer 2

I feel your pain!

I'm a graphic designer as well and we also have to work on putting together the entries for the NCMPR awards (community college stuff) and I too get stuck being the one to have to put everything together to send off.

I guess what would make a difference to me is whether you get paid an annual salary or get paid by the hour. I personally get paid by the hour, so I look at it from the standpoint of "well, I'm getting paid for my time working on this, so it really doesn't matter what it is I'm working on during the day"
If it were the other way around (salary) then i'd be pretty much as upset as you are.

If there is no way of getting out of doing this, you might want to take a different approach to it altogether, such as don't waste so much time trying to make it look "pretty". If they say the "design" doesn't count, then don't worry so much about giving it your "all". Stick to a basic generic layout. Also, you say there are at least 7 people in your department, then politely let your manager know how you feel about this situation and your reasons (lack of recognition, no extra pay, non-work related material, etc.) and try to ensure that there is a proper division of labor -- if there are 3 designers and there's 3 projects, the each one should work on one.

Finally, --and you might not like this part-- but if you are working on entries to receive awards that showcase what it is your department has worked on over the last year, then unfortunately you ARE working on work-related materials and therefore would make it "work-related" afterall even though its for a contest "outside" of your "work".

Answer 3

Simple, do what your boss has assigned you. Over and out. Set your pride aside and "suck it up".