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Ask HN: Best Place to run a UI Design contest ?

13 points| jarsj | 15 years ago | reply

We have a version of web application and we would like to have some designers compete on a homepage redesign so that I can get some alternate design ideas. Where would you suggest I do it. The budget would be around 800-1000$ for a single (or max 2) PSDs.

16 comments

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[+] billturner|15 years ago|reply
I think the design "contests" are frowned upon by many in the design community, arguing that it's nothing more than "spec" work (and specifically sites like the already mentioned 99designs and crowdspring).

Some info on this can be found here: http://www.no-spec.com/ (edited to add this link, specifically about design contests: http://www.no-spec.com/articles/design-contests/)

Personally, I would ask some colleagues (or folks here) for some recommendations on design firms.

[+] wdewind|15 years ago|reply
As a designer I think we need to learn to cope better with stuff like 99 designs. Good designers don't really have a ton of trouble getting work in metro areas right now, and to disregard how much better something like 99 designs can be (CAN be) for many clients is ignorant.

Let's not be the RIAA in the face of distributed change.

[+] faramarz|15 years ago|reply
It's frowned upon by those who feel threatened (mostly because the institutions tell them to). but, really, the top-tier designers have no trouble finding work. In fact their body of work brings the client to them, rather than chasing work with spec offerings.

That said, it's a grey area. I hate it sometimes.. but every now and then I find myself on those sites and it blows my mind to see $2k awarded for mediocre work. That motivates me to spend a few hours and compete for a project or two. It's certainty not sustainable to do it for a long period.

[+] faramarz|15 years ago|reply
Try crowdspring.com

I have competed there before and the quality of work is greater compared to other places.

The other advantage is (not necessarily fair) that you can walk away with your money if you're not fully satisfied. the website will cover a min. payment given to the best designer for their effort.

Here's my profile if you do sign up, i'll be glad to compete http://www.crowdspring.com/user/faramarz/ratings/

[+] placer14|15 years ago|reply
How do designers typically feel about crowdspring.com as opposed to what 99designs is doing? They both seem to have similar models.
[+] limedaring|15 years ago|reply
I wrote an article a few years ago about my projects with crowdSPRING (which applies to other spec contests in general), which boiled down to clients acting as art directors. The people running the contests will ask for changes ("Oh, I'd rather have this over here"), which in a normal designer/client relationship, the designer has more power to say, "I wouldn't recommend doing that because of the UX/standards/good design/etc". However, with spec contests, designers will keep making the changes that the client wants because that's how they'd win the contest.

Your home page isn't just about what looks pretty. It's also going to be how well things work/how to drive your customers to converting. And spec contests reduce it down to just prettiness.

I'd recommend working with a freelancer or a design firm, who will do more than just placing a skin on your site but also keeps conversion in mind as well.

[+] antidaily|15 years ago|reply
Just buy a theme from a theme shop. There are tons of app and app-related designs.
[+] rosskimbarovsky|15 years ago|reply
The crowdSPRING (http://www.crowdspring.com) community (more than 65,000 designers and writers from nearly every country on Earth) would love to help with your homepage redesign. We've worked with thousands of entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses (and some of the best agencies and Brands) from all over the world. 96% of our customers recommend us to others - here's WHY: http://bit.ly/whycS