Advice from a designer
Founded out of Melbourne, Australia in 2008, 99Designs was (and still is) known as the marketplace for affordable graphic design work. Simply draw up a brief and post it and designers fight it out to win the gig.
This week I entered my first competition on 99Designs, three of them actually.
As an unagency, it’s in my best interest that you hire us, ideally, because we have unbeatable prices, but we understand that some start-ups just can’t afford any costs.
So, if you are going to crowdsource your artwork through a platform like 99Designs, here is what I have learned so far.
“1. Please don’t rush your creative brief”
Simply draw up a brief and post it right? NO! You are saving money, and yes a little bit of time, but take the time to articulate your direction CLEARLY, for the love.
“2. Pick seven or less examples of inspiration”
99Designs has a handy shortcut for using its own designs to inspire your logo design, which is great, but posting a billion logo ideas is not helpful.
“3. Encourage designers to apply their own flare”
Correct me if I’m wrong, but black, red and gold is not universally liked. Now I’m going to contradict myself a little, but in this case being less specific may lead to better designs, like saying “warm colors mixed with a metallic flare.”
“4. “Guarantee” Your Post”
Nobody talented is going to submit artwork, yet alone multiple designs, to a posting that is not guaranteed to pay out. Guarantee your job will pay and you have talented designers clicking on your post.
“5. Payout at least a Silver status”
As a designer, I’m going to click on your post if it’s guaranteed, but if you’re guaranteeing to pay dog shit, well then, au revoir.
“6. View a designer’s portfolio BEFORE you pick a winner”
I clicked on a few designer’s logos that I liked to see their other work, and what did I find? The same submission used for other contests. If you’re paying money for something unique, you should get something unique.
Here are my submissions so far:
