My perspective in this post may not be popular. It may not align with what many in the creative industry want to hear.
But my story is part of the larger design experience. And I must admit something honestly: I was part of the problem.
For decades, I offered free design work. Only later did I realise that I had become part of a system built on free labour—a quiet form of creative slavery.
Now, on my journey to retirement, I choose to correct what I once accepted. I repent for my role in it, and today I stand as an advocate for “No Free Design Labour” through FIND.
Over the years, I have seen designers suffer: poverty, burnout, leaving the profession, and struggling to find work. Many are forced to produce free proposals just for a chance to compete with others, all in the name of serving the client.
This matters deeply to me.
We should not see each other as competitors first.
We should see each other as fellow industry friends, the keepers of our own profession.
I do not look at who is better or weaker.
I do not see race or background.
I only see that we are “One Creators.”
So this post asks a simple but important question:
Do we keep participating in a divided system, or do we choose to give back HOPE?
Hope that the era of “creative slavery” through free labour can end.
Hope that one day the design community can finally sing a “Freedom Song,” where creative work is respected and fairly valued.
The message is simple: let this be a call to unite architects, designers, multimedia creators, and all creative professionals.
Together, we must say NO to the entitlement of free labour.
If we stand together in solidarity, we can reclaim and uplift the dignity of our profession. Our collective future depends on our willingness to become the keepers of our craft—to speak out, to have the courage to stand up for ourselves, and to stand up for our fellow creators.
We must also set a better example for the next generation—across countries, across cultures, across industries.
This message is also for education platforms, academies, professional bodies, professors, lecturers, and governing institutions.
It is time to wake up.
The system that normalises free labour has pushed many creatives into darkness.
But if we stand together, a brighter day will come.
Architects, designers, creators—we are not competitors. We are the keepers of our profession.
When we stand together, the era of free labour ends, and the dignity of every creator is restored!
