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I often see design contests for open source projects. Why does no one seem to mind when there is usually an uproar against commercial contests/spec-work/crowds

I often see design contests for open source projects. Why does no one seem to mind when there is usually an uproar against commercial contests/spec-work/crowdsourcing sites?

bruceboughton 16y ago
Probably the same reason why no one objects to developers contributing code to OSS.
ladon86 16y ago
People aren't making money from your work. It's just the same as contributing code to an OSS project.
msy 16y ago
Speaking as a designer I don't mind, but it's a terrible way to actually get an identity of any quality or cohesiveness for anything.
- webwright 16y ago
  How much do most small-businesses need in terms of logo quality and cohesiveness? While there is plenty of crap there, http://99designs.com/logo-design/store http://99designs.com/logo-design/store seems to have a mess of logos that are worlds better than what many small businesses end up with when they work with a freelance designer. And most importantly, this (and contests) entirely remove the scariest part about logo design-- that you'll pay thousands to a designer to get something you don't really love. I spent years as a designer (I still do a fair bit of design, though only for my own startup efforts usually) and if I had a friend starting a small business, I'd actually suggest they go the 99Designs route with a bigger-than-average bounty (though I'd probably tell them to browse the ready-made store in case they found something they loved). I agree that you won't get a gold-plated identity package with most contests... But do most small businesses need that?
  - Inkzoo 16y ago
    well to start with I agree on some occasions that working with freelancers could be fun. But to make things worse for Small Businesses is to believe gold-plated identity package will cost more than they need to pay. A strong branding will give an extra edge to SMBs fight against giant brands. Hope this article will be of some help to all the readers here: http://design.inkzoo.com/bid/48880/Small-Business-Marketing-6-Common-Goof-Ups http://design.inkzoo.com/bid/48880/Small-Business-Marketing-...

I often see design contests for open source projects. Why does no one seem to mind when there is usually an uproar against commercial contests/spec-work/crowdsourcing sites?

bruceboughton 16y ago

Probably the same reason why no one objects to developers contributing code to OSS.

ladon86 16y ago

People aren't making money from your work. It's just the same as contributing code to an OSS project.

msy 16y ago

Speaking as a designer I don't mind, but it's a terrible way to actually get an identity of any quality or cohesiveness for anything.

webwright 16y ago
How much do most small-businesses need in terms of logo quality and cohesiveness? While there is plenty of crap there, http://99designs.com/logo-design/store http://99designs.com/logo-design/store seems to have a mess of logos that are worlds better than what many small businesses end up with when they work with a freelance designer. And most importantly, this (and contests) entirely remove the scariest part about logo design-- that you'll pay thousands to a designer to get something you don't really love. I spent years as a designer (I still do a fair bit of design, though only for my own startup efforts usually) and if I had a friend starting a small business, I'd actually suggest they go the 99Designs route with a bigger-than-average bounty (though I'd probably tell them to browse the ready-made store in case they found something they loved). I agree that you won't get a gold-plated identity package with most contests... But do most small businesses need that?
- Inkzoo 16y ago
  well to start with I agree on some occasions that working with freelancers could be fun. But to make things worse for Small Businesses is to believe gold-plated identity package will cost more than they need to pay. A strong branding will give an extra edge to SMBs fight against giant brands. Hope this article will be of some help to all the readers here: http://design.inkzoo.com/bid/48880/Small-Business-Marketing-6-Common-Goof-Ups http://design.inkzoo.com/bid/48880/Small-Business-Marketing-...