Outsourcing

Accounts Studio · #1 (**Link to this post**) 18-09-09

Great session on outsourcing at Flying Solo Live. As well as the international freelance sites there are also a couple of Australian ones that are worth checking out - www.99designs.com is a graphics competition site - you post what you want done eg a logo, brochures etc, and people actually submit designs for you to look at. I have used this a couple of times with fantastic results.

Another one is www.thefreelancefactory.com.au or www.serviceseeking.com.au

bretthillcoat · #2 (**Link to this post**) 27-09-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ideas Book

Great session on outsourcing at Flying Solo Live. As well as the international freelance sites there are also a couple of Australian ones that are worth checking out - www.99designs.com is a graphics competition site - you post what you want done eg a logo, brochures etc, and people actually submit designs for you to look at. I have used this a couple of times with fantastic results.

Another one is www.thefreelancefactory.com.au or www.serviceseeking.com.au

Thanks for that! I am in need of a new logo design right now. I will check out the sites you gave.
Thanks again,
Brett Hillcoat

#3 (**Link to this post**) 28-09-09

99designs is rubbish. Designing logos should not be a competition.

Do it the proper way and hire a designer or firm.

bretthillcoat · #4 (**Link to this post**) 28-09-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan

99designs is rubbish. Designing logos should not be a competition.

Do it the proper way and hire a designer or firm.

Strong opinion Dan. Obviously a lot of people would disagree or these sites wouldn't exist.

Accounts Studio · #5 (**Link to this post**) 28-09-09

Bit harsh! Designers and firms submit entries to 99 Designs - I found my current web designer and graphic designer this way and they are excellent. They are both 'proper' companies.

#6 (**Link to this post**) 28-09-09

To both brett and Ideas -

It is not harsh. It is fact. It's all about $$$. That's why it exists. Cheap clients looking for a quick cheap option. What is wrong with that? The process for logo design or branding for that matter, is not done effectively this way. It devalues the industry and sends the wrong message to potential clients. If you want your car fixed or your tax done, you don't run a competition to get it done. Design should be no different. There is a process that needs to be followed for it to be done correctly.

Accounts Studio · #7 (**Link to this post**) 28-09-09

I understand your point however you can't compare fixing a car to design work. Fixing a car follows certain practical criteria - design is an individual thing. I know for example that I am very clear about what I do and don't like in design. To try and sort through hundreds of design companies to find one that will understand what I want and will think along the same lines and understand the type of branding I want to create is a huge task. If finding that perfect designer who fits in with my vision is made easier and a lot quicker by using a site like 99 Designs then I would much rather do that than waste hours of my time and money sifting through many different companies trying to find the perfect match. Now that I have found the perfect designers for me I use them all the time rather than going back to the site.

99 Designs is also a way for student designers to get a leg in the door and gain experience.

Perhaps there is a particular process to be followed for the perfect brand or logo, but personally I would prefer to use someone who 'feels' what I am trying to achieve as opposed to making me follow set criteria. It may not be the right or best avenue for everyone especially if they are not clear about their target market or the type of branding they are after, however it works for me. And btw - I am not a cheap client.

bretthillcoat · #8 (**Link to this post**) 28-09-09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ideas Book

I understand your point however you can't compare fixing a car to design work. Fixing a car follows certain practical criteria - design is an individual thing. I know for example that I am very clear about what I do and don't like in design. To try and sort through hundreds of design companies to find one that will understand what I want and will think along the same lines and understand the type of branding I want to create is a huge task. If finding that perfect designer who fits in with my vision is made easier and a lot quicker by using a site like 99 Designs then I would much rather do that than waste hours of my time and money sifting through many different companies trying to find the perfect match. Now that I have found the perfect designers for me I use them all the time rather than going back to the site.

99 Designs is also a way for student designers to get a leg in the door and gain experience.

Perhaps there is a particular process to be followed for the perfect brand or logo, but personally I would prefer to use someone who 'feels' what I am trying to achieve as opposed to making me follow set criteria. It may not be the right or best avenue for everyone especially if they are not clear about their target market or the type of branding they are after, however it works for me. And btw - I am not a cheap client.

.. yeah! ditto to that.

#9 (**Link to this post**) 28-09-09

Sophie -

Fixing a car is also an individual thing. Not all mechanics have the same amount of knowledge or experience. Not all of them work to the same speed or standards. How do you find these things out? You ask questions. You don't just go on feel. Designer and client is a relationship. Relationships are built on trust and communication. 99designs has non of that. It caters to kids with cracked copies of illustrator with no experience or idea of the industry they aspire to work in. Any designer worth their salt, knows this. It is people like you and brett who think it's normal, then you recommend it to others and the whole thing snowballs.

Accounts Studio · #10 (**Link to this post**) 28-09-09

Perhaps your experience with it has been negative but I personally know of half a dozen people who have had fantastic experiences. Sure there may be inexperienced people on there but there are also successful designers too. Elance is the same - there is good amongst the dodgy. And it is also worth bearing in mind that some of those kids with their cracked copies of illustrator are at least getting off their butts and trying to find work. Just because they may not have the budget to start with a big flashy website and agency does not mean that they are not necessarily good designers. That is a very narrow minded view. I have had terrible experiences with design agencies who have huge amounts of experience. It is all about being open to the fact that these days there are different ways of doing things, and different ways work for different people. I am not saying it is normal, I am just saying it is a different option which works for some.
With a car mechanic they need knowledge and experience to know how to fix your problem. With a designer, sure they need to know about branding and how to market to a particular type of client, but they also need to know how to design and that, in my opinion, comes from instinct. I would much rather give a talented kid with no big $ backing, but bucket loads of talent, an opportunity than use a big agency with a fancy website who are just as likely to delegate the job to design juniors who they probably pay less than I would pay to someone on 99 Designs.

At the end of the day, neither way is wrong. They are all just options. Plenty of room for everyone I am sure.

Have a nice day.

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