99designsReviews 412

Though this websites proposal includes website design, they refer only to graphics and NOT coded pages. When you take into account that 99% of 99Designs graphics are free templates floating around the net, the charge of $945.00 US (more than 20% of which is kept in house) is quite unrealistic for two pages. Before signing on to this greatly over priced service, check locally in your own community and you may find local coders who can create the graphical look and coding for considerably less. They also employ some deceptive marketing practices. When I questioned the establishment about the lack of coded pages, the very next day one of the "artists" sent me a private message offering to code for free which is clearly inside favouritism so the rest of the poor artists can potentially be left out despite their efforts. Don't buy into the hype of this operation.

I used a company that my interior designer was raving about. This company helped her get a great logo for her company. 99designs.com is a really fantastic online design company. They have designers all over the map that go to their website and sign up to do these "design contests" and they start to actually submit design concepts right online for the customer to actually choose from. There is a reward of money that the customer sets the amount for the winning designer. What a great idea and a really great way to get the perfect design that you really want.

I went to the website and really read up on the information that they have available for you. I was impressed with the list of products that they offer. I was in need of a really clever 2 page web design. I was having a diffuclt time finding the right person to do the job for me until I went to this site. They offer 100% money back guarantee for any reason that you are not happy with the design or designs. They also have really great packages that you can choose from too. I was impressed with the great quality that they also provide to customers. I was able to see other design contests and see the designers concepts. Amazing and so many to be able to choose from. I was sold hook, line and sinker.

I chose a perfect package that would allow me to see many designers concepts for my 2 web pages. I wanted to give a great reward to the winning designer also. My package was under $2500. 00 total. I had to give them information as to what I wanted my web pages to basically look like and then they would be able to start designing from that. They had 7 days to do the designs but in the meantime I was also able to give them feedback on the designs they were submitting to the site for me to look at so that they could do any modifications if needed. I was blown away as to how many I was able to choose from. Over a dozen designers with multiple designs! I was very excited and really happy with the outcome. They are a great place to go to and have really professional people care for your business and the pride they show. Quality work and quality designers! I will definitely come back as soon a repeat customer and I will spread the good word of this great company!

99designs is a cool idea - put your graphic design project up for bid, get a bunch of submissions, give submitters feedback, and then choose the winner. The pros are: you get to set your price upfront and you get to choose from a number of ideas/designs. This can work well for an isolated project - there are some talented designers. Where 99designs runs into trouble is if complicated branding is needed or if the project is closely tied to other design projects that need to be coordinated.

So net net, I would use 99designs for a one-off logo or other simple design projects - you can get a great deal for your money (by California standards). However, if you have the budget and want something more complicated, it's most likely worth paying a traditional designer. And I have to add: good designers are under-valued assets.

Disclaimer, I haven't used the sites services yet. But, I really like the concept. You send out a design project to a bunch of graphics designers and specify the amount of money you're willing to spend on the project. Then, any designer who's willing to take on the project comes back to you with design proposals or drafts. You keep iterating with them until you end up with a logo, splashscreen, etc. that you like. In the end, you only have to pay the designer that created the winning design. Prices seems really reasonable, $200-$500 for a professional logo. Compared to what a "professional" design and brand management shops charge (thousands!), that's a great deal. Plus you get the benefit of picking the brains of multiple designers, without having to pay for the ones that you don't like.