hello Dp's 99Designs.com just want to ask and maybe you will share some experience when participate design contest at that site? so what do you think of that contest?anybody wins and get their money?
where I'm from real spec work is a crime. if they want your design to capitalize from, you get paid for it. a lot a lot of these contests are that, they're putting a contest up and using the best design they get. if they want 500 designs to choose from for their copmany, they can pay 500 designers to make it and pick the best. any piece you work on should be paid for, whether it's used or not.
Man...I'd be retired now, if I took that approach in my profession. Of course, that's assuming my clients bought into such an approach, which they wouldn't. I spent a few minutes reading the no-spec site you linked to, specifically the FAQ. There certainly are some informative points made, and no doubt people take advantage of graphics designers as they mention. While such behavior is certainly not honorable, it's very typical - anyone in business for themselves, should accept a certain amount of this is the norm. Suggesting every creative minute anyone spends with the goal of attracting clients be compensated, is a bit extreme. In fact, I find some of the no-spec arguments quite ironic. From the "What’s wrong with a contest?" section: "After all, you wouldn’t say to your lawyer how he should defend you in a trial, or you don’t tell a mechanic how to do his job." The above points are valid, but the professions mentioned both routinely offer services for free as a way to attract business. Most lawyers offer initial free consultations. Many mechanics offer free inspections. And yet graphic designers, should never expend a moment of their creative time without compensation?
no no, you can enter high-profile contests that are widely known and published and offer real awards in a professional competition, but doing a hundred online 'contests' isn't going to really advance your career or get you widely known outside of the group of people who are holding the contests. Doing something for self-promotion is valid, but doing it hoping to get paid, or whatever, it's just a waste of time.
I've no idea how common it is, but that's exactly how I found the guy I like working with best...I contacted him directly after seeing his contest entries. I'm sure good designers reach a point in their career, where DP contests don't provide the returns their time is really worth. But for the new and talented up and comers, or somebody looking to build a portfolio, it seems to provide value to both sides. And...it's gotta be better than working at McDonalds.
99designs is just the contest section from Sitepoint.com They gave it a new name and moved it to its own domain. As far as the no-spec argument, I agree to disagree. I don't see the difference between doing self promo (free, unpaid) and entering a contest for a couple hundred bucks if you get paid and end up with something for your portfolio. As far as the elite contests/ competitions, most often YOU have to pay to submit, a non refundable processing fee or some rubbish. The way I see it is I am trying to build a portfolio so i will enter contests and design to the best of my ability with the intent of putting it in my portfolio. I also do random self-promo things when I have time to further build my portfolio. In time I hope to build a client base and move up, one day conquering the entire world.
Experienced designers don't participate in such contest. Whole idea to get design for $100 and even participate in contest for it (!!!) - ridiculuous.