This is awful. Wow.

Not surprised to see it coming from an architecture organization. From my experience (architecture school), architects tend to feel superior to the other schools of design and certainly don't give graphic designers their due worth.

Architects spend a lot of money in entry fees and design costs to compete for commissions they may not ultimately win. They probably don't see the problem in asking would-be logo designers to do the same.

Admittedly my initial reaction was a negative one. But I'm sure there will be firms and individuals who will pony up the entry fee. And AIA LA is probably trying to limit the amount of fluff they would have to sift through otherwise.

Now this is a first. Unbelievable.

Who cares, why promote it if you're against it?

I think what the architects failed to realize when they compare their contests with graphic design contests is that, in general, architecture contests tend to generate an income for quite some time after the project is accepted (if it is) but for graphic designers the only thing we got is the "possibility of more work", witch is definitely not the same. We offer a final product and they offer a service that will last until the project is complete.

I am struck by the level of negativity and entitlement in this thread. What happened to contests being a fun way to express yourself as a creative, while also allowing you to get to know your fellow designers (not to mention doing something nice for a worthy cause)?

I know, I know spec work is terrible and should be avoided at all costs, but seriously: What happened to having fun?

As professionals, we are supposed to respect our craft and its value by asking those for whom we perform our service to pay us respectable wages, but I ask you: What happened to having fun?

Ask not what AIA can do for you, instead ask what you can do for AIA!