A couple of thoughts: 1. What exactly are you trying to understand about design? Are you trying to learn "designing for a client"/the business behind it? Or ar

A couple of thoughts: 1. What exactly are you trying to understand about design? Are you trying to learn "designing for a client"/the business behind it? Or are you trying to find projects for you to practice css/photoshop skills? 2. Basically, you're holding a contest for people to present themselves as the most interesting person to you, just so they have the right to pay for your services. It seems a little audacious. Unless you can prove that $20-40 for your services is such an incredible deal that it is worth the effort, I think it would be hard to attract signups. Offering a free portfolio--that's a different story.