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A 'nominal' response.
Last week, the DIA alerted members via its national news column to the Australia Council's Request for Tender (RFT) for graphic design services for the 2011 Venice Biennale.
In its original form, as sent to us by a DIA member, the RFT essentially constituted a request by the Australia Council for a 'free pitch' — which is universally condemned by nearly all major design organisations worldwide, including the DIA.
Another DIA member has since alerted us that the Australia Council has now amended its RFT slightly to state that 'shortlisted agencies' will be paid a 'nominal' fee to provide their concepts for the pitch.
Exactly how much a 'nominal' fee constitutes is conspicuous by its absence in the current RFT.
The Collins English Dictionary defines 'nominal' as: 1. in name only; theoretical: 2. minimal in comparison with real worth or what is expected; token: a nominal fee.
The Australia Council should be commended for apparently listening to the complaints about pitching, and modifying their RFT accordingly, but the use of the word 'nominal' is still serious cause for concern until clarification is provided.
If DIA members are unclear why a 'nominal' fee might not necessarily be much better than no fee at all, we suggest you ask your dentist, doctor, plumber, police officer, council rates officer — anyone really — that you pay them a 'nominal' fee instead of the amount they expect, and see what response you get.
With that in mind, the DIA has asked the Australia Council to provide us with details as to what level of remuneration their 'nominal' fee will constitute, and we'll advise members accordingly.
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In its original form, as sent to us by a DIA member, the RFT essentially constituted a request by the Australia Council for a 'free pitch' — which is universally condemned by nearly all major design organisations worldwide, including the DIA.
Another DIA member has since alerted us that the Australia Council has now amended its RFT slightly to state that 'shortlisted agencies' will be paid a 'nominal' fee to provide their concepts for the pitch.
Exactly how much a 'nominal' fee constitutes is conspicuous by its absence in the current RFT.
The Collins English Dictionary defines 'nominal' as: 1. in name only; theoretical: 2. minimal in comparison with real worth or what is expected; token: a nominal fee.
The Australia Council should be commended for apparently listening to the complaints about pitching, and modifying their RFT accordingly, but the use of the word 'nominal' is still serious cause for concern until clarification is provided.
If DIA members are unclear why a 'nominal' fee might not necessarily be much better than no fee at all, we suggest you ask your dentist, doctor, plumber, police officer, council rates officer — anyone really — that you pay them a 'nominal' fee instead of the amount they expect, and see what response you get.
With that in mind, the DIA has asked the Australia Council to provide us with details as to what level of remuneration their 'nominal' fee will constitute, and we'll advise members accordingly.
Return to the news list
