99designs

October 16th, 2008 in Creative, by Head Honcho

http://www.99designs.com

Design Contests. The term made me remember my elementary school days when I was doodling my way to get an A+ from my Art teacher. But do go on and read. I promise you it is not about elementary.

99designs is, as said on their site, a place started by designers for designers, cliché as it may sound. In their own words they connect “passionate designers from around the globe with savvy clients who need design projects completed in a timely fashion without the usual risk or cost associated with professional design”.

The concept was founded by a team of brains and talents from SitePoint and was originally called “SitePoint Contests”. Turns out the contest became a huge concept that caters to both designers and clients. A clever concept at that as one review pointed out. Aside from creating a level of playing field, promoting competition and growth for the designers, it also gets the clients plenty of options on the menu.

If you need a project designed, an option is to crowdsource it to 99designs. The thousands of designers will be ready to upload their fully completed designs for judging. You, as a client, can then review, rate and award the prize money to the winning piece or design.

If you are a designer, the terms “marketplace” and “contest” might turn you off especially those supporters of NO!SPEC but reviews have been made by designers that they have either earned decent income from the contests, rekindled their graphics design passions, got constructive criticisms from their fellow designers, or other positive things unmentioned.

The good thing about contests is that you can always say “Hey, at least I tried.” Or “I can do better next time.” Believe me, the pep talk worked for me back in elementary and still does work. I am sure it will work the same way for the veterans and the aspiring graphics designers from all over the globe.