Clients compete for free design services instead of the other way around

Larimer + Bernheim, a design partnership based in the Bay Area, have turned the design competition on its head with FREE. The competition invites would-be clients to compete for free design services in exchange for submitting the most compelling project. The goal is to "inspire people to consider areas of their life, work, and play that could benefit from a thoughtful design."

We love this. It not only acknowledges the importance of a good client-designer relationship, but also opens the door to clients of all kinds, from individuals to small businesses, that might not have considered ever going to a designer before.
In a time of economic hardship, Larimer and Bernheim are helping others while generating work to keep themselves busy and strengthen their practice. We hope more firms will start doing this and can't wait to see the results.

From Peter Bernheim, one half of L+B:

"Tough times make it easy to be complacent and take work when and where it comes; as a partnership, we are committed to the act of making and bringing well-crafted objects into this world. In our work, we value relationships - with people, places, and materials. For us, a project is the building and nurturing of these understandings and FREE represents an opportunity to share these values."

Pictured above is their 12151791 lamp.

If you're a prospective client, read the guidelines and submit your proposal by July 31st.

Posted by Lisa Smith | 11 Jun 2010