Graphic Design Contests

**createve** · 07-17-2006, 04:56 PM

I have been reading through the "Graphics Help Requests or Contests" forum and I am amazed how all of you designers have been taken advantage of. You are not only cheating yourselves, but you are bringing the entire design industry down to a low pay job. Actually the more I think about it, you guys are nuts!

I see many designs that are very professional (unlimited modifications, alternative designs), yet the compensation is nothing compared to what you provide as a service.

There have been designers here that are completely ripped of. Most of the time there is not a winner picked because the creator simply disappears. HUH! How odd. Or a winner is picked but not paid. In a recent example not only a designer got ripped off, but in fact he had to defend his reputation. WOW! Really disgusting!!

Remember, you are not only creating a design, you are helping to create a company that will use your design to make money either through advertising or providing some service. They will not do it for free

Before you jump into doing a "cool and fun" design, think for a moment if the contest is really fair. If you don't think it's fair, make sure you let your opinions be heard.

$25 for a logo? Think about it…

**sweetdesignz** · 07-17-2006, 04:58 PM

So how much is good for a logo?

**ADAM Web Design** · 07-17-2006, 05:01 PM

The problem is that most people need to establish a foothold. And in an industry where people tend to slit each other's throats like a bunch of psychopaths, some people just get desperate and sell themselves way too short just to get a foot in the door. I know, because I did it exactly once (not a contest...an international web design customer), and I'd never do it again because I don't have to.

Mind you, I agree totally...most contests are a freakin' ripoff and there isn't any point in entering them.

**ExpressoDan** · 07-17-2006, 05:43 PM

You have a good point and now I feel so dirty...

People must make a conscious effort to enter a contest. If they dont want to, they dont have to. I'm sure most people use this, as Adam said, as a starting point. I have been following this forum for a while and you'll notice people with talent dont stay too long... it's lifes little cycle

**danielefc** · 07-17-2006, 05:53 PM

Very true, but for me I enter contests simply because I love designing, if I don't have any contract work going, I enter contests, money isn't really a major factor for me when entering these contests.

Though the prices on this site do seem to be getting lower and lower..

**sweetdesignz** · 07-17-2006, 06:14 PM

We should all boycott contests that pay below a certain amount. But what amount?

**CannonBallGuy** · 07-17-2006, 06:37 PM

I enter these contests because I'm still in full-time education and because I'm still a Photoshop n00b. I don't think i could charge much more for my work then I receive as a prize for the contests I do win here.

**s_u_p_e_r_s_a_m** · 07-17-2006, 07:09 PM

You get what you pay for

I won a $25 one the other day. My winning entry would have taken me 10 mins.

$25 for 10 mins work and a pretty crappy logo sounds good to me.

**HTMLDesigns** · 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by createve

I have been reading through the "Graphics Help Requests or Contests" forum and I am amazed how all of you designers have been taken advantage of. You are not only cheating yourselves, but you are bringing the entire design industry down to a low pay job. Actually the more I think about it, you guys are nuts!

I see many designs that are very professional (unlimited modifications, alternative designs), yet the compensation is nothing compared to what you provide as a service.

There have been designers here that are completely ripped of. Most of the time there is not a winner picked because the creator simply disappears. HUH! How odd. Or a winner is picked but not paid. In a recent example not only a designer got ripped off, but in fact he had to defend his reputation. WOW! Really disgusting!!

Remember, you are not only creating a design, you are helping to create a company that will use your design to make money either through advertising or providing some service. They will not do it for free

Before you jump into doing a "cool and fun" design, think for a moment if the contest is really fair. If you don't think it's fair, make sure you let your opinions be heard.

$25 for a logo? Think about it…

If you're going to make a post like this it would be far more beneficial to provide an alternative. Stating this stuff does no person any good if no options are given. You just kind of leave a person out there. Okay so contests are ripoffs (as if we didn't already know that). Especially having been on forums where people are paying $100 and more for logos. Even that is STILL a rip-off. Logos should cost in the thousands and up. You want people to stop shorting themselves then I suggest you start a site that offers contests that pay more and provide a link for us all to join and participate. Or provide links to fair contests if you even know of any. Provide links to companies who seek graphic designers for their company and will pay handsomely. Provide something otherwise your comments will simply fade away without regards and people will continue to go with whatever they can get and that includes these so-called ripoff contests. That is if you REALLY want to help. If you're going to state a problem, you need to first NOT call people nuts and tell them they are causing a problem to the industry. Instead provide a solution and then maybe your words will have some meaning.

With all of that said, I'm sure you have a problem with internships that don't pay either, huh? But people do those to get their foot in the door. So why not the same with contests? Again, if you have a problem with people lowering their standards for whatever reason, then provide a solution to benefit everyone.

As a matter of fact, here's google links to:

Logo Contests: click here. To find specific amounts type a dollar amount in front of the keywords.
Graphic Design Contests: click here.
Forum Design Contests: click here.
Contests for Graphic Designers: click here.

Graphic Competition: http://www.graphiccompetitions.com/
One of them on there is paying 6000 EU to the winning logo which is over $7000 according to Xe.com

Looks to me based on the little research I've done that if you want the bigger prize amounts you'll more than likely want to stay clear of forums. The contests on forums are generally paying way under $1000 for any type of design. Check out the links above and get in before the deadlines. And all the best to all of you!

**sweetdesignz** · 07-18-2006, 12:44 AM

Wow. Thanks for those links. Got any more?

**s_u_p_e_r_s_a_m** · 07-18-2006, 01:39 AM

Well... heres another one to add to the list...
These are pretty high paying but theres not alot of them

http://gfxcontests.com/

**sweetdesignz** · 07-18-2006, 01:46 AM

Thanks Sam ;D

**Vicki** · 03:59 AM

I know how much real corporate logos and other graphics should cost, if we were really in that industry. I, however, often participate in lower paying contests because I don't feel like I'm good enough to create logos that people pay hundreds for. Honestly, I could use a lot more practice, and this is the perfect way to do it. Who cares if its low priced, you're helping someone who needs a logo and its not like they're profiting from your design. Maybe they profit from the company that THEY create, but that's them...we only provide the logo. Most people just need it for their websites, usually not commercial ones. I also am only 17 and I don't think I could join a logo designing company without first finishing college and getting a degree in that certain industry, which I don't plan to do for awhile. This is just for fun, that's why its FREELANCE work instead of professional work which takes years to master.

**vangogh** · 07-18-2006, 02:01 AM

creative you're right that $25 isn't worth it to create a professional logo, but keep in mind that not everyone here is a professional. Some are creating the logo for fun and would probably do it for free and others are trying to either build a portfolio or improve their skills.

No one is requiring anyone to participate. I know I don't because $25 isn't enough money for my time. It wouldn't be worth it to me. However there was a time when I would have considered $25 to be some good money. Just depends on where you are in life.

It's not as though the same amount of time is put into a logo created for a contest here as it would be for a client paying a few hundred or one paying a few thousand.

**HTMLDesigns** · 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vicki

...Maybe if there were TONS of really great designs and talented artists here, but I doubt any of us (sorry) are good enough (yet) to say that we don't want to work unless its for a certain amount.

Count me out of the number Vicki. Looks like I'm just going to have to remove myself from this forum then... haha... don't want people thinking I'm here because I don't think I'm good enough for the bigger contests because I do enter those with confidence. I enter different contests in design (flyers, logos, banners, website etc) and even do freebies sometimes (if I like the person -- hehe). Okay, HTMLD is exiting the forum. Haha.

Anyway, everyone is good enough. If they didn't think it just a little bit they wouldn't even practice or pursue it. Vicki maybe you just don't realize how good you really are, yet. People think that these really colorful looking designs with nice shapes and font is what's attractive. And it is, but you'd be surprised to see that some of these companies don't want all of that. Most are looking for a simple design with one or two basic elements. And even the most simplest design (flat and one color) can look fabulous. I saw on one forum where out of over 20 fabulous designs a person got in the top pick with just a basic font and a star above the company name. That's it. You don't have to be a member of forums to see what companies are after and you don't have to have schooling behind you. Any person with the basics in PS, PSP, or whichever chosen graphic program can make designs. I mean take for example that person who created the design with a basic font and a star --- man that could be made in windows standard paint software program included with all versions of Microsoft Windows and I think Mac's OS too (not sure the name of theirs though). I browse several forums just as a guest. It's amazing sometimes what the actual 'winning' design is for any given contest. The most simplest design seems to generally be the winner of the prize money.

Another thing to note, the best way to build your confidence is to put yourself up "against" whomever YOU deem as the best. So put yourself around them and design "against" them. What I mean is make them the one who sets the bar for you in an indirect kind of way. And you can't help but get better. It's automatic - guaranteed. That's how I started out in regards to logo contests. I had no idea what I was doing until I got around people I felt were a standard and presented a quality I wanted to match if not exceed. And my skill has tremendously improved and I have matched some of those "I went against" (my mentor without them knowing it -- hehe). And there is always someone knew I take to be my mentor, again even though they don't know it. hehe.

All the best to everyone!

Looks like I might join that other forum GFX. Thanks for the link Supersam.

**Vicki** · 04:00 AM

Okay, I see your point and I agree with you. You're right, you don't necessarily need schooling or professional skills to create something that appeals to at least someone, whether its the contest holder or not. That was rude for me to say so I'll edit it out.

On that point though, I feel like setting a minimum price for payment is like saying, "Well my work is worth more than $25," as if the contest isn't worth your effort because it doesn't pay enough. The contest holders may not necessarily have enough money to pay for a logo more expensive than that...its not like everyone is lucky enough to have a huge money-making website. Obviously, if you put in the effort for it, it can definitely be worth more than $25...but knowing the prize is, say, $25, you would work according to that right? I mean, if you want to put a lot of hours into it, that's fine. But you know the price is $25 as set by the contest holder and so you shouldn't expect more than that, no matter how hard you work for it. I guess my point is, I feel the contest holders are the ones in charge...and you can choose to design for them or not but if that's all they can offer, then don't expect more and don't try to ask them for more than they can/want to offer.

And I think designs may LOOK really simple, but it actually isn't as easy as it seems. And I notice that people with some education and a bit more experience always manage to come up with and design the more effective logos.

**vangogh** · 07-18-2006, 07:59 PM

HTMLDesigns I agree with you about some of the talent here. Though I haven't participated myself in the logo contests I have looked at a few of the entires and many are very good. Glad you see that too. I'm also with you on the simplest is often the best. Sometimes the best logo is really nothing more than text. It doesn't take a lot of extra imagery to make a good logo. If anything you want your logo to be instantly recognizable and easy to remember.

Think of logos like IBM or Google. Not exactly high end on the imagery, but it's not like we're going to mistake which company they belong to.

Vicki I'm someone who believes a lot in education. I think the more you know and understand about any subject the better you are prepared to make good decisions about questions that arise. However I don't think that education has to come from school. I'm not knocking school. I had a lot of it myself and earned a couple of degrees along the way, but neither of those degrees is being put to use at the moment.

Ultimately every individual needs to be responsible for their own education. Some gain more from the structure of a classroom and others benefit more from their own structure. You'll find many talented people in either case. Regardless of the education it will still be the experience that weighs more.

**mgraphic** · 07-22-2006, 02:00 AM

Its a crap shoot - but once in a blue moon, if I have 30min free time and a creative suge going, it can be fun sometimes. One good thing that can happen is if you get an honest requester, you can get extra for final tweaks and customizing, cause they all want you to make a simple change or two after they pick a winner.

**vangogh** · 07-22-2006, 05:37 PM

What a client requesting changes? No, it couldn't be. That never happens.

**CoMmAnDo** · 07-23-2006, 08:12 AM

Well, I've been working professional logos, simple logos, and here I start with creating contest logos. You know, making a logo for $25 and making a logo for $1000 IS NOT THE SAME, When you make a low-paid logo, all you need is a little imagination, be a little creative, and you can come up with a perfect solution for someones non-commercial site, and make him very happy, It's also very fun, and very interesting to see all those logos the other competitors come up with, and the bigger companies might just find a new talented proffessional on these forums. And the most important thing of creating these logos is that even the biggest newbies in creating logos can win, and when they visit the site for which they created a logo, they will say "I created their logo" and they will be proud of their self, and if in few years that company becomes a big monopoly, they will be even more proud, and famous, and create a LOT of money...

On the other side, when you create a logo for thousands of dolars, the new owner of the logo wants it to be PERFECT. I've been working for bigger money, and I know that one milimeter displacement of an object lowers the price for hundreds of dolars. The low-price logos can be made with ready objects and easy to learn software, but the proffessional logos must be completely new, the objects MUST NOT appear in any other logo, everything has to be made from 0. And here comes the more complicated software, like photoshop, fireworks e.t.c. And the most annoying thing is when you improve, and make a better low-price logo, you do it for fun and without worryes, but when you improve a proffessional logo, you do it because the "master" didn't like it before, and you have to spend hours to find a perfect solution, and you are getting nervous too much cos if he doesn't like more of you designs, he might just give the job to anoder designer, and all your hard work will fall in the water.

That's why I think that doin this stuff for fun is NOT being ripped. If you want bigger cash, you make harder work, but you also risk, that you might get nothing for you work, far more hard than the work for fun.

And one more thing, don't say that $25 is small money, cos in my country, where the average mounthly income is $600 per family, that money can make few more faces happy...