hey there!

Who's ready to stop working for free? Hopefully you are! If you have any doubts, consult this handy chart below. Start in the middle and work your way to your answer!

Download the original English jpg here!

Sailor mouth version!

Since I am a crazy person and we are all nerds, this chart is entirely css and html. Faster loading and you can translate it into any language! Google translation is a little funky, but it should hopefully get the point across.

No

 The word "start-up" is used pretty loosely by businesses to get you to charge them less.

No

 This is one of the most toxic things anyone can say to you.

No

 Seriously, MAKE IT RAIN!
No
Are they a "start-up"?
No
Did they promise you "lots of future work"?
No
Did they promise you "exposure" or "a good portfolio piece"?

No

Just because a business isn't profitable, that doesn't make them a non-profit.

No

 plus angry letter.

Yes

 I'm shocked you made it this far in the chart. You could have been done with the project already!

Yes

 Don't be lame. You owe them.

No

 Yippee. The promise of more cheap/free work. Hooray.

is it for

a legitimate business?
You mean a band?
Enough to write an angry letter for even considering you'd work for them?
No

No

 Respectfully decline.
Are you altruistic?
No
Are they promising you their proverbial kidney?
No
Do you owe them a proverbial kidney?

is it for

your friend?
should I work for free?

by Jessica Hische

is it for

a charity or non-profit?
Do you vehemently oppose the cause or what they do?
No
Is it through an ad agency or design firm?
No

Yes

 But don't be their slave. Clearly define what you can and can't do for them.
Are you sure about that?
No
Will they flake out on you when you need them?
Are we talking, like, brother-from-another-mother friend?
No
You mean the company your friend works for?

is it for

your mom?

Yes

 Double karma points.

No

 They probably have a budget for you if they're charging the client.
No
Are they doing it pro-bono?

Yes

 You may end up broke, but you'll be knee deep in promised organs.
Are you "good friends" ifyaknowwhatimean?

No

 Companies often ask their employees about friends hungry for work and use the friend connection to take advantage.

No
No
Do you still really want to do it?
No
Will they give you creative freedom?
No
Are they a buncha jerks?

No
No
Are you masochistic?

No

 You're no prostitute!

Yes

 22 hours of labor and you can't do ONE SINGLE garage sale flyer?? COME ON!

Yes

 Why not? Good karma and all.

No

 No way. Who wants to work for free under those conditions? Contact the charity directly and THEN work for free.

Yes

No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
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Yes
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Yes
Yes

No

No