Like to talk about graphics

[kinsaw]

I like to talk about graphics and get them done for me so my friends told me to contact www.designcontest.com since they are very good at it. I believe my friends but I thought to strengthen the faith before going to them. If anyone of you have ever used them for your logo or web design needs, then please provide the feedback about their work quality.

thanks,

[Chris]

I say this about all contest design sites. I hate them. They don't do anything for the client or for the designer. In fact they erode any sense of communication between the two. Here's why:

1. A client - designer relationship is imperative to personable design. It gives the designer the chance to build something that fits the client. It doesn't necessarily fit the client's exact specifications, but rather the needs of the client and his / her business. Contest sites completely remove this aspect of the transaction. The designer is given a very broad concept or idea that usually isn't very detailed or useful and is expected to put something together with that small bit of information. No research, no client meetings, no conferences, zilch.

2. The client is looking for a professional to develop and design their identity (in a manner of speaking). If the client is paying hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars into his or her own identity, wouldn't they want the professional doing it? If this is the case, why would the client want a hand in picking out what he or she thinks looks the best? Sounds ludicrous, but this is how contest design sites work. The designer puts a piece together, the client looks at it, and if they like it, it gets chosen and the designer gets paid. More often than not, the client is not fine tuned in the area of logo identity or design, so irrelevant prejudice becomes involved where the client picks a piece based solely on whether or not it "looks good". Rarely is a piece picked based on "effectiveness" or fitting the company it is intended to represent. This is another major factor imperative to good design. And it's ripped out by contest design sites.

3. The designer should be able to take 1 run at a design, at the most 2 or 3 subtle changes. Based on the research done, this is possible with minimal effort. Design contest sites ask the design to put their ego on the line by designing one or two or three variations of the same logo (or a different one) with the hope that they are compensated for their effort. In most cases, thousands of designers submit their work when only one is chosen. This is wasted effort, and oftentimes puts the designers at risk of having their ideas and work stolen as "2nd bests". This is needless work, and effectively defeats the purpose of trying to put meaning and purpose into work when, as stated previously, the reasons a logo or design is chosen is very often not the same reasons a designer decided to take a particular route.

There are dozens of other reasons why I absolutely despise design contest sites of any kind, but these are the top 3. Communication between the client and the designer are imperative factors in a healthy business transaction. Without it, the end result is never worth it. Sure some decent designs make it through and the client just happens to have advisers who know what they are talking about, but where does it leave the other 3000 talented designers who wasted their time by not being chosen because of futile reasons?

It's stupid.

[Synsational]

The buyer and the designer should be the only ones in the pot, there isn't a need for a middle man. If an Artist is serious about his work and wants to start making a living out of his art then he will take the steps required and not have someone else do it for him.

The only good thing I can think off when thinking about design websites is that you can write down the names of company who are in need of an artist. Then you can contact that person directly instead of having to jump through 50 hoops and compete for your bread money.

[Rexy.]

I agree with Chris 100 percent on this.

Graphic design isn't simply a case of someone making something that looks fancy for their client. The huge battle which separates good graphic designers from amazing ones is their ability to translate the needs of the client to a graphic form. When you make something for a client, be it a logo, a website, a flash advert... anything, you need to get to know them. Understanding the way your client thinks and an extensive background into what their company is, what it provides, its corporate strengths and responsbility - all are important aspects which need to be translated in their graphical material. This is the reason there are Graphic design degrees and qualifications. Anyone can just play around on photoshop and make something, what is important is your way of understanding the client. Contest sites take this away from the process completely. Straight away your concern wont be toward the client, it'll be towards the competitors you are facing and what they are making. This misdirection of concentration will mean that you will never be able to make what the client wants because you'll be too busy trying to prove yourself against others.

As far as im concerned graphic design should always be bespoke and should be about a relationship between a designer and the client... no one else