No doubt this is a good deal for the client. It's the designers who end up working for free that are the casualties of this approach.

No doubt this is a good deal for the client. It's the designers who end up working for free that are the casualties of this approach.

I’m working on the content plan for my web site right now and when I get to the art part, nearly any logo will be better than what I can draw with my crayons. If, for budget or timing reasons I end up going with less than sparkyfirepants-quality art, I’ll have to rely on the quality of my content.

If it turns out that my skill as a content provider pleases the nice people of the world such that they spend lots of their hard-earned money with me, I'll be back for “awesomization”. I'll buy the BMW convertible, too :)

Your bookstore analogy is a great one. It reminds me of businesses that gripe about Walmart kicking their butts. Hey, quit competing on price and give me value! It also reminds me of a local camera store that has “my” dream camera priced $400 more than a reputable online camera store. As much as I want to buy local, we are talking $400. The local store isn't adding much value.

By the way, I think the real answer is sparkyfirepants t-shirts!

I’m working on the content plan for my web site right now and when I get to the art part, nearly any logo will be better than what I can draw with my crayons. If, for budget or timing reasons I end up going with less than sparkyfirepants-quality art, I’ll have to rely on the quality of my content.

If it turns out that my skill as a content provider pleases the nice people of the world such that they spend lots of their hard-earned money with me, I'll be back for “awesomization”. I'll buy the BMW convertible, too :)

Your bookstore analogy is a great one. It reminds me of businesses that gripe about Walmart kicking their butts. Hey, quit competing on price and give me value! It also reminds me of a local camera store that has “my” dream camera priced $400 more than a reputable online camera store. As much as I want to buy local, we are talking $400. The local store isn't adding much value.

By the way, I think the real answer is sparkyfirepants t-shirts!

Personally, I think participating in a contest is an artist's choice. It comes down to their time/talent/portfolio and their interest level. If you're experienced and you can command a certain price, then that's great. If you're new (or if you're adventurous) then sometimes you need to take risks to build your portfolio (and your bank account). Either way, I support the artist and the decision they make.

In my case, I opened a deli in Miami, Florida this October. We needed a logo, and we fell in the “I want what you do but I can't afford it. Now what?” category. So we posted a free ad on Craigslist (thank you Craigslist!) asking for submissions. We received several hateful e-mails as well as several logo submissions – including one we fell in love with.

Our offer, instead of a cash payment, was that the lucky artist could eat free once a week at our restaurant for a year. The winning artist was in fact a pair of artists, and we gladly offered them both free lunch.

When looking for a logo, we came across several low-cost solutions, many of which seemed like good ideas. However, our main issue was that we wanted the ideas of several people. Creativity is like lightening – even if one firm promised us 50 submissions, it would still come from the minds of one or two people. Instead, we wanted a broad range of styles, concepts and themes. We wanted different people to offer their artistic opinions, not just have one or two people churn out several bland logos.

Using the contest, we received submissions that involved photos, drawings, and text spread across several different styles. We found one we objectively liked, and the rest is history.

Personally, I think participating in a contest is an artist's choice. It comes down to their time/talent/portfolio and their interest level. If you're experienced and you can command a certain price, then that's great. If you're new (or if you're adventurous) then sometimes you need to take risks to build your portfolio (and your bank account). Either way, I support the artist and the decision they make.

In my case, I opened a deli in Miami, Florida this October. We needed a logo, and we fell in the “I want what you do but I can't afford it. Now what?” category. So we posted a free ad on Craigslist (thank you Craigslist!) asking for submissions. We received several hateful e-mails as well as several logo submissions – including one we fell in love with.

Our offer, instead of a cash payment, was that the lucky artist could eat free once a week at our restaurant for a year. The winning artist was in fact a pair of artists, and we gladly offered them both free lunch.

When looking for a logo, we came across several low-cost solutions, many of which seemed like good ideas. However, our main issue was that we wanted the ideas of several people. Creativity is like lightening – even if one firm promised us 50 submissions, it would still come from the minds of one or two people. Instead, we wanted a broad range of styles, concepts and themes. We wanted different people to offer their artistic opinions, not just have one or two people churn out several bland logos.

Using the contest, we received submissions that involved photos, drawings, and text spread across several different styles. We found one we objectively liked, and the rest is history.

I think my issue is that it sends out a message that people are willing to work for free in this industry (which they obviously are).

In my experience, people who shop by price are not the clients you want anyways.

Regarding the posh bistro, another good analogy. But McDonald's still charges for all their hamburgers. And neither place will let you pay only if you like the food you ate.

Like I said, I am not against options for clients to get a cheap logo if that's what they want, but more against the idea that so-called designers are expected to work for free.

Personally, I strive for providing a kick-butt character/logo in a specific style that's not available anywhere else. I don't really concern myself with contest design sites since like I said, those clients weren't mine from the get-go.

Low-price auction-style alternatives like Elance and Guru.com? All for it, and I even send clients with limited budgets to those places (some even come back when the art/experience wasn't up to snuff).

Those types of places are fair for both sides.

Design contests sites take advantage of the creators, and I don't like that. But as you mentioned, these designers are making a choice. But as you also said, it's no way to run a successful business.

Those people are either dabblers or will be out of business in a year.

I think my issue is that it sends out a message that people are willing to work for free in this industry (which they obviously are).

In my experience, people who shop by price are not the clients you want anyways.

Regarding the posh bistro, another good analogy. But McDonald's still charges for all their hamburgers. And neither place will let you pay only if you like the food you ate.

Like I said, I am not against options for clients to get a cheap logo if that's what they want, but more against the idea that so-called designers are expected to work for free.

Personally, I strive for providing a kick-butt character/logo in a specific style that's not available anywhere else. I don't really concern myself with contest design sites since like I said, those clients weren't mine from the get-go.

Low-price auction-style alternatives like Elance and Guru.com? All for it, and I even send clients with limited budgets to those places (some even come back when the art/experience wasn't up to snuff).

Those types of places are fair for both sides.

Design contests sites take advantage of the creators, and I don't like that. But as you mentioned, these designers are making a choice. But as you also said, it's no way to run a successful business.

Those people are either dabblers or will be out of business in a year.