For graphic designers, the internet is awash in free information. Some of it good. Some of it, well, not so good. Some information is so valuable, that it’s worth plonking down your hard earned cash for. Take this example. Seems there’s this book out for freelance designers. Called Freelance Dream, it’s available here. Visually, the page looks like every other kooky get-rich-quick scheme on the internet, but this one advertises a freelance design book that promises all sorts of career enhancing knowledge. The web page claims that the book has been featured in Entrepeneur Magazine and offers all sorts of glowing testimonials about how full of awesomeness it really is.
Written by top freelance professionals you say? That certainly sounds interesting. Learn from the best? Why, that would be wonderful. And what freelance designer wouldn’t want to be the best that they could be. Surely, such wisdom would cost hundreds, if not thousands to tap into. No?
Only $49? That is a steal. And imagine, the book regularly costs $99. All sorts of bonuses too (as long as you order by 11:59pm on Thursday, June 18). What graphic designer worth their mettle can resist such a deal? Hell, I’m reaching into my wallet right now. I mean, who wouldn’t want to know about such hot button topics as “Simple steps to make sure you’re covered with Trademarks, copyrights and intellectual property”. Every designer needs to know that kind of stuff.
So who’s the author of this brilliant treatise? According to the Freelance Dream webpage, it’s some designer called Jon Engle. Anyone remember him?
The layout of the page is so barmy that I’m ready to call bullshit on the whole thing. Perhaps this is some direct marketers idea of using a high-profile name to sell their product (without doing much research into why the name is high profile in the first place). Or it may be some cockamamy affiliate program. Though there is the “© Jonathan Engle | Relevant Studio 2007. All rights reserved” at the bottom of the page which makes me wonder.
Far be it for me to harp on about something, but the little juggling dude in the logo for Freelance Dream looks awfully like a Hugh Aaron image from Stock Art. And in case you don’t remember, that’s how we first got to know Jon in the first place. Now, this could be legitimately licensed artwork – I’ve contacted the legal firm that represents Stock Art to see if they’ll tell me – but even if it is, it’s one of the most unwise artwork decisions I’ve seen in a long time. Okay, ever.
Hat tip to Mark who pointed this out in the comment section of the original article.
Update: Shortly after this post was published, the Freelance Dreams website went dark. Probably sold out. Or something.
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Tags: business, freelance, freelancing, humor
Ah balls. I went ahead and bought the book after only reading half the article.
David Airey’s last blog post..Imitation vs differentiation
@ David – no worries mate. You’re now on the way to design nirvana. Hope you’ll still remember your lowly pals when you’re all rich and famous and stuff.
No way, Steve. I’m keeping the riches to myself. Get your own book.
David Airey’s last blog post..Imitation vs differentiation
No way this is for real. Somebody is taking a piss, for sure?
Jon Engle is obviously a con man.
Freelance Dreams (Engle’s book) may even show another ripped-off piece of artwork right on the cover. The same image is used as a logo on his website. It’s likely Engle also copy-pasted much of the text as well. Though the hype is surely Engle’s own.
Jon Engle, graphic thief.