Crowdsourcing

Crowdsourcing sites cropped up after I was already an established designer, and I have no experience with them. However, the topic needs to be addressed.

There are many websites for crowdsourced design: eLance, oDesk, 99Designs, Crowdspring, Mycroburst and many others. Some will even boast how cheap their logos are! These capture designers from around the world, including places where the standard of living is much lower than the U.S. Furthermore, anyone can call himself a designer and start producing logos. These sites are a race to the bottom for both price and quality. 

This blogger tells a personal story of how she got addicted to crowdsourcing with the same “cycle of excitement-discouragement-delight-dejection” that hooks gamblers. Best of all, she shares her methodical plan for kicking the habit.

When you are out of work, it is tempting to enter a contest for the remote chance of being paid rather than the certainty of no income. Rather than work for peanuts, I suggest you work for yourself.

1. Never forge that design is a business. Brush up on your business and marketing skills by taking classes or reading books.

2. Build your network. Yes, of course, keep your online profile up to date and work the social media. But more important are you face-to-face communication opportunities. Go to free networking events, always have your business cards on you, talk to strangers.

I can admit that this is difficult for me. As a naturally shy and introverted person, it takes a lot of energy and resolve to plop myself into a room of strangers. But once I am there and start talking to people, I realize that I am having a good time. If social skills are not your strong suit, start small and build. For example, go to one event, stay for 15 minutes, and give one person a card. Then increase your goals at the rate that you are comfortable. Professional groups can also help. Toastmasters is the most well-known public speaking group.

3. Polish your writing skills. A professional designer must be able to write a creative brief, a proposal, and justify verbally all design choices. You are a visual person, and you believe that great design should speak for itself. But your client is not, and your client might have to justify a design to her boss. Give her the tools she needs. An educated client is a better client. You should constantly be helping the people around you appreciate good design. With strong writing skills, you will be ready when you tackle that RFP (request for proposal).

4. Consult the AIGA Tools & Resources for professional guidelines. AIGA is a trove of good advice and inspiration.

Getting the ball rolling is the hardest part of the freelance life. Many of us have no choice but to do other work while we establish a client base. I believe working another job to pay the bills is preferable to giving away design work in the hopes of getting a break. Participating in crowdsourcing design sites will never give you the income, relationships, and security that a professional must have. And it contributes to the degradation of our whole industry.

If you must work for free or discounted rates to hone your skills and produce portfolio pieces, choose a worthy non-profit organization.