99designs.com: a warning to freelancers.
Kevin Potts recently did a review/critique of wundersite www.99designs.com - which appears to be a simplified spin of other such sites like Elance and what Kevin calls it’s “malignant brethren”. The site, which uses less than ideal techniques to get designers to connect with businesses, requires spec work and encourages horribly low prices. In his article, Kevin removes the usual sales pitch and business jargon and brings out the underlying truth:
Hmm. Yes, by all means, we want to avoid the time and consideration professional designers offer and go right to the lowest common denominator of grade-school dropouts whose portfolio’s crown jewel is a logo for their dad’s wholesale llama manure clearing house. We definitely do not want any in-depth communication. We do not want any understanding of the company, the brand, or the direction and aspirations of the organization.
In a nutshell, this is what you’re asking for if you work with these guys:
- You’re doing the work whether you like it or not. Payment is irrelevant. You only get that if you actually “win” the “contest”.
- Even if you do win, you don’t win much. (They seem to encourage low prices, as stated on their how it works page.)
- You lose your copyright privileges and you apparently can’t even take a public stand if your designs are stolen. Read their copyright page for more on that.
- You’re also asking for a royal slap in the face from folks like me and other real designers.
Freelancers: if you really care about your work and the design industry, do NOT use 99designs or others like it to gain clients. You’re hurting yourself and the rest of us too.
Business owners: if you really want someone who will take the time to get to know your company and present an informed and well-rounded design, might I suggest someone from the Xemion Web Designer Directory?
Here’s Kevin’s article (warning: contains some strong language)
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Filed under Business, Clients, Design, Freelancing, Marketing, Misc, Xemion.
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I think this is a very unfair review. There are designers out there in other countries that are willing to work for less. There are also designers out there that do not know how to code a website but are awesome at graphics. Some web development shops outsource their graphic work to these types of places and make contacts for further work at decent sub contract rates with full rights to ownership. There is a market for low cost awesome copyright free designs and 99designs (former sitepoint) beautifully fills that need. Most of the artists are great and are simply making extra money VERY QUICKLY. Your view only applies to real design shops that offer the hand holding, coding, programming, marketing and possibly brand development skills along with the concept. Even the coded designs do not make a website, there is a lot more work to do especially if there is a dynamic portion to the site. It is also a great training ground for up and coming designers to flex there artist muscles and get constructive criticism of their designs.
Comment by Tod — May 2, 2008 @ 11:19pm