A bit of stats: according to the research conducted by eYeka, usage of crowdsourcing by the best global brands in 2016 grew by 30%. The sectors which are keen on crowdsourcing designs the most are FMCG, consumer electronics, automotive, media&entertainment, finances, restaurants&hotels etc.
Crowdsourcing is a kind of innovation our future depends on. Due to being in the highest demand and providing people with exactly what they need, crowdsourcing keeps winning more and more popularity and conquers the market of design. However, someone might be still in doubt whether to use crowdsourcing services, for they might face some risks. DesignContest will try to chase away your doubts by showing you 5 reasons to start an online contest.
The number of samples
Let’s start with an obvious one. The number of samples one entry may get really impresses: according to Wikipedia, each contest on DesignContest receives in average 200 design offers from professional designers, which is the largest number in comparison with other crowdsourcing design platforms. Other crowdsourcing platforms offer fewer samples but their number is still considerable: in average, crowdSPRING receives 110 samples, DesignCrowd – 103, DesignHill – 80. The data shows how beneficial these online contests are: these samples stand for fresh ideas and not a single one repeats itself. Even if not each and every idea appeals to the client, there will be several ones the client will be truly keen on, which makes the process of picking the winner almost unbearable. Still, there is no other way to receive so many options to choose a final design: design studios will charge you additionally for that, as well as a single designer. What’s more, there’s no design studio or designer who can provide you with 50 completely different design samples, not to mention 200. Also, because of the fact that designers who take part in crowdsourcing competitions come from different nooks of our planet, their designs differ thanks to their mentality and ideology. Thus, every single design carries some hidden zest inside which enables it to differ from other design samples.
Everything is for sale
Frederic Beigbeder once wrote that everything is for sale. He was completely right and, in terms of a stunning design, it is no exception. First, you pay to get a design done; then you pay to get it implemented into your marketing strategy; afterward, you get paid for the design that attracts more clients and boosts your company’s sales. There’s no limit in the fee you can be charged with. However, why to pay more? Most crowdsourcing companies enable you to announce your prize before the contest even starts. Then, you award the winner with the prize you set beforehand so that every designer knows what they will be rewarded with in case of succeeding. Everything is transparent, frank and clear, for everyone knows what they should expect. Among crowdsourcing platforms, the cheapest one is 48HoursLogo (its projects start with $99); DesignContest belongs to a middle range (the contests start with $145); the most expensive platforms are 99Designs and designSPRING (you’ll pay at least $199 for the contest).
Doesn’t take much time
Online contests are really fast: it takes in average up to 7 days to get a final result. Perhaps, the reason for this is hidden in the number of designers who send their samples for the client’s overview. Still, it doesn’t change the fact that a week from the day you start a contest you’ll have a design ready to be used and enjoyed.
Design projects that can be created
Crowdsourcing is a golden fish that makes your dreams of an ideal web design come true, for everything you can think of can be created on crowdsourcing platforms. Everything, from a logo design to a mobile app design, can be achieved due to crowdsourcing. Some of the online platforms offer restricted possibilities (e.g., 48HoursLogo enables you, obviously, to get only a logo designed). Nevertheless, most of the crowdsourcing companies enable more competitive entries than you will ever need.
A constant support
This is what you will hardly get from a freelance designer or even a design studio. Such online marketplaces are highly interested in providing their service of the highest quality in order to attract more clients and designers. That’s why a constant support from DesignContest, for example, assists in resolving any working issues that might appear is no longer a surprise. The option is completely free and vitally useful, so don’t hesitate when any help is needed.
To sum up, crowdsourcing platforms seem to be quite a beneficial issue that helps people to get creative designs at a reasonable price. Have you ever started any design contest? Share your experience with DesignContest!
