I hope this is the most appropriate forum to discuss this but I couldn't think of a better place to ask. When competition holders here at Digitalpoint ask for a logo for their so-called client, are they actually providing the logo service to that client for a lot more money than they hand out in logo contests held here? Are the clients even aware that the person they're purchasing the logo from isn't the actual designer?
I don't know how it works all the time, i'm sure some fit into that category. I'd imagine lots of them are just designers/web developers who don't have the capability of making great logo's and are outsourcing that part of their project. I do agree that it is a pretty bad practice though, because a lot of times if you are claiming to be the designer they will request changes. You may end up purchasing a logo they don't like if you aren't careful.
Wow.. I've been active at participating in these competitions but was a little shocked when I read how a competition holder didn't want the designer to add the logo to their portfolio in fear that the client would find out. I find the idea of content holders being resellers making a lot of profit off clueless designers a little disturbing.
Hello Nora, First, how these contests usually work is under the general contracting principal - I buy and you pay more. For example, I take on a big contract which includes php,images,sql,ajax and security. There is no possible way for me to complete this contract in 90days on my own, so I outsource pieces of it. I give the images/template people 90% of the budget for images and I pocket the other 10% due to me finding the contract and managing the work flow. So to answer your question directly, yes, you are only getting a small piece of the pie... Be safe when you enter these contests because a lot of 'tards' will try to rip you off and take credit for your work. Put your watermark/splash on every image dead center and etc... Good luck
Thanks for the information. I will definitely not enter in any competitions from now on and I hope the designers that have no clue how this work stop doing it too. Glad there are people like you out there who admit it. I don't think it's bad when the contest holder makes profit off finding people to do the work but I find the idea of contest holders ripping their clients off by claiming the logo from the contest was designed by them extremely disturbing.
I am a little more ethical in my approach. When I outsource projects I do it on freelancing/contracting sites where people understand that they are bidding on a job. I lay out the details and such of the contract and their responsibilities as sub-contractors. I do fully agree with you that many people who hold these "contests" need to have their ethical systems re-evaluated. However, there are some legit contests, so I can not knock them all If you want some links to get legit business and contracting for your images let me know via PM and I'll send you a few.
Urm...good question. I really doubt it...Most designers will be able to do it themselfs without having to post anywhere else unless it's for a review. The client will never know unless he/she is registered in the same community as the seller.