Graphic Design Contests

**vangogh** · 02-09-2010, 10:09 PM

Maybe they weren't here when I first arrived either, though I did show up at the very end of the year. Contests really aren't my thing. I always figured you could make more money doing the same work as a freelancer than by entering a contest.

**Mystical Pippin** · 02-10-2010, 03:20 PM

Ever heard of Design Bay? They are set up with multi companies who need or want Logos's etc... You sign up and take your pick. Draw the design and submit. You're competing with who knows how many others for the bid. But if you win, you make a couple hundred on them - so it's not bad. It's been a long time for me but I used to win a few bids here/there.....

**vangogh** · 02-12-2010, 09:21 PM

I think I've heard the name. I'm not the contest type of person though. It seems like a lot of work to maybe make some money. I'd rather have a client who pays me for the work when it's done, not only if they like it better than any other logos they've received.

**CenterCityIDEAS** · 02-17-2010, 05:32 PM

would be great to incorporate the ebay type rating mention before!
i would like to see how the listing member has paid in the past....did they reward like the contest outlined?

great info here!

**vangogh** · 02-19-2010, 08:10 PM

I'm not sure what the eBay type rating looks like, since I don't use eBay, but we do have the iTrader ratings. People can leave comments when they rate a contest holder and I would think the information you want to see could be left in the system.

If you look under your profile and see Trades, the number next to it is a link to see the iTrader rating.

**Mystical Pippin** · 02-20-2010, 07:49 AM

btw..... what are trades?

**chrishirst** · 07:59 AM

"Trades" is the rating system used in the Market Place and the Contests.

Works the same way as he Ebay feedback system does.

**Mystical Pippin** · 02-22-2010, 01:05 PM

Thanks Chris. does this mean if you win a contest you get a trade?

**orionoreo** · 02-22-2010, 02:32 PM

I stopped joining contests here on webmaster-talk for a few reasons

- deadlines are too far away and some even runs days/weeks after the deadline date
- feedbacks are rarely given or very lacking
- lots of lowball amounts

on DP their posts for contest are not bumped by posting so usually CH set their deadlines closer to post dates...

not sure if that helps

**chrishirst** · 02-22-2010, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mystical Pippin

Thanks Chris. does this mean if you win a contest you get a trade?

Provided the CH gives feedback, yes.

**DarkLordSith** · 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orionoreo

I stopped joining contests here on webmaster-talk for a few reasons

- deadlines are too far away and some even runs days/weeks after the deadline date
- feedbacks are rarely given or very lacking
- lots of lowball amounts

on DP their posts for contest are not bumped by posting so usually CH set their deadlines closer to post dates...

not sure if that helps

Yeah I would recommend freelancing. I work at oDesk an I make about $100 a day just making logos.

**AEJMC** · 04-08-2010, 08:47 AM

I have a $1,000 contest, but I have to hit 20 posts before I can add it :/

Quote:

Originally Posted by orionoreo

I stopped joining contests here on webmaster-talk for a few reasons

- deadlines are too far away and some even runs days/weeks after the deadline date
- feedbacks are rarely given or very lacking
- lots of lowball amounts

on DP their posts for contest are not bumped by posting so usually CH set their deadlines closer to post dates...

not sure if that helps

**serandfae** · 04-08-2010, 08:55 AM

Generally, those who offer large prize amounts, but litter the forum with "me too" posts to try and get around the post requirement, do not see contests through to completion.

tim

**Madman340** · 01:31 PM

It's been very quiet lately, would it be possible to get some traffic driven to this section? I can of course understand if the answer is no.

Edit 4/23: How about making it a requirement to choose a winner? These contest holders are essentially taking zero risk while the designers carry all of it when they have the option of just saying no to everything and leaving.

**ecd** · 04-28-2010, 10:45 PM

Hello,

I am interested in posting a contest for a banner, however I find the 20 post minimum prohibitive.

I picked this site because the quality of work that I saw from the designers here was better than I saw on similar forums. I wanted to PM the administrator and offer to send him the prize money ahead of time via paypal since I feel confident the designers here could meet my expectations. However, I cannot PM the administrator until I have 5 posts.

I love the idea of getting multiple concepts from different designers so I do not want to deal with just one designer to start.

I appreciate the fact this has to be done due to people getting scammed, probably why the quality of work here is better than other sites. But I have to ask the question of whether there is a way I can post here.

I bought an ecommerce template and have put a framework of the site in place (see www.sandlotcards.com). I wanted to offer $75 for a banner design. After making payment I wanted to offer the contest winner a chance at first refusal to basically provide a skin for my site (i.e. provide a color scheme, fonts, etc) for another $75. If they refused I wanted to post another contest for others to try.

Is there any way I can post my initial contest? Webmast-talk should think about a prepayment option for those of us who are confident in the work the designers here do.

Thanks,
Erik

**serandfae** · 04-28-2010, 11:51 PM

The rationale of the 20 post count requirement is this: The graphic design contests section is there as a benefit to members. We want those who post contests to show they are going to be contributing members of this forum; there are other sites dedicated solely to design contests if that is not the case. Review a website. Welcome a new member. Check out some of the threads in General Discussions. Or, heaven forbid, check out the threads actually related to webmastering.

It's not hard to make 20 legit posts. Really.

I agree with you on the prepayment option; however, that is at the discretion of the owners, and it has been brought up.

tim

**vangogh** · 04-29-2010, 06:27 PM

I'm just going to reiterate what Tim said. It really isn't hard to post 20 times. You could probably post 20 times within 10-20, less if all you do is drop quick single line comments.

As far as a prepayment option it's up to the forum owners. Keep in mind though that there's a lot more to accepting prepayment than just accepting the payment. It turns the forum into the guarantor of the contest and opens the forum up to more legal issues. Beyond that it would also mean more work for the staff which currently works on a voluntary basis. I understand the prepayment would benefit you and other contest holders and participants, but those benefits come by asking staff here to work for free and opening up the forum to greater responsibility.

There's more to the issue than appears on the surface.

**ecd** · 04-29-2010, 09:44 PM

Fair enough. A bit frustrating for the honest people out there but I understand the need to handle things this way after reading your points.
Thx.

**vangogh** · 04-30-2010, 06:48 PM

I hear you. It would be nice if we could have this work easily for everyone, but we have to compromise somewhere. Hopefully it's not too hard to create the 20 posts.

**LyricLL** · 05:31 AM

Ok so after reading this thread I plan to return after I take a look at some of the other great information being offered here in these forums. I came and joined with a purpose...to post a contest, but I can totally understand how particular things are around here. So until later....