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Crowdsourcing Graphic Design Process: Tips for Best Results

April 9, 2015 By Gail Gardner 36 Comments

You need a memorable new design, but you don’t have a graphic designer on staff and you have no idea what you want your design to look like.  Now what? Crowdsourcing graphic design lends itself well when you’re not sure what you want, but you feel you will know it when you see it. The process is simple:

 Crowdsourcing Graphic Design ProcessDesignCrowd is the #1 custom design marketplace. They have 448,472 designers around the world who have delivered $25,306,978 worth of designs. The average number of designs per project is currently 102. (See the bottom of their home page for their latest stats.)

Table of Contents

  • Types of Graphic Projects
  • How the Process Works
  • How to Get the Best Results
  • You Get What You Pay For
  • Payment Escrow
  • Designer Income and Opportunity
  • Live toll-free support
    • Gail Gardner
    • Latest posts by Gail Gardner (see all)

Types of Graphic Projects

Any kind of graphic can be crowdsourced at DesignCrowd. The most common projects are:

  • Logos
  • Websites
  • T-shirts
  • Flyers
  • Stationery
  • Packaging
  • Any creative project

Choose from a much longer list of projects on the site.

How the Process Works

Using DesignCrowd is a simple process. Watch this video, or read the highlights below it.

Video Highlights:

  • Post a creative brief including budget
  • Receive designs from designers within hours to a few days
  • Share the design to get opinions from others
  • Select a design and ask for changes

If you don’t like any of the designs (which should be unlikely given the number of designers), your budget amount will be refunded by DesignCrowd.

How to Get the Best Results

Using a crowdsourcing platform isn’t a hands-off process. The more you provide feedback and answer questions from the designers involved, the better they can refine their designs.

Don’t expect designers to put hours into polishing each submission. They need to keep the time they invest into each entry to a minimum.

Once you narrow your choices, you can upgrade your project to guaranteed payout. Don’t expect the graphics to be fully finished until the final draft.

You Get What You Pay For

Even when using a crowdsourcing platform, don’t expect to get designs from top designers for bottom dollar. While there are experienced graphic artists on DesignCrowd, if you want to get their attention your budget must be reasonable.

Spend some time looking at the designers listed in the type of project you’re planning. Once you post your project, invite the designers whose work you like best by clicking the “Invite designer” button. (See on image below.)

Graphic Designers Listed on DesignCrowd

If you want designers to take your invitation seriously, you will want to include a $20 or $50 participation payment.  DesignCrowd calls this their “hybrid crowdsourcing model”.  According to their statistics, including a participation payment increases the chances of a top designer accepting your invitation to 92%.

Projects can also be managed one-on-one with your chosen designer rather than crowdsourced publicly. Before you select the final design, check the designer’s portfolio and interact with them to ensure they are qualified designers.

Payment Escrow

DesignCrowd holds your money in escrow until the graphic files are received by them and ready for you to download. They verify the graphics are “in the file format that you require and that the files meets our Minimum Design Standards.  This involves checking that file contents match and that vector files are scalable and editable.”

If you don’t like the results, you can request your money back (excluding initial posting fees). Before you approve payment for your design, check to make sure it is original.

Designer Income and Opportunity

By providing participation payments and the ability to work one-on-one with a designer instead of only through crowdsourcing, DesignCrowd offers designers more opportunities to become well-paid.

Their top designer joined four years ago and has earned over $700,000 on the platform. Designers can build their portfolio on the site to attract invitations.

They encourage clients to offer participation payments of $20 at the start of the project to submit or as a reward at the end of the project.

Top designers are also eligible for $50 participation payments once they start winning contests and receiving consistent customer reviews.

Even established designers could use DesignCrowd to expand their clientele.

Live toll-free support

I phoned the DesignCrowd 800 number on Saturday evening. They answered immediately, and the person I spoke with knew the answer to every question I asked.

If you want to work with a particular designer,  you can call and ask them to assist in the arrangements. You can also request a design quote for personalized assistance.

Want more choices in your project? Just give them a call and ask for advice. They will let you know what to do next and personally recruit more designers for your project.

Whether you want to see 100+ designs or you just want to find the perfect designer to work with your business, DesignCrowd is a strong option. Just be willing to be an active participant in the process for best results.

Disclosure: This is a Sponsored Post. Although I was compensated for writing it, what I wrote is entirely my own evaluation of how the sites works and how to get the most out of it.

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Gail Gardner

Small Business Marketing Strategist at GrowMap
Gail Gardner is the founder of GrowMap.com. She is a Small Business Marketing Strategist who mentors small businesses, bloggers, and freelancers. After 23 years in the field with IBM and 5.5 years managing AdWords accounts, her focus shifted to small business marketing strategy. GrowMap.com is listed by Cision as a Top 100 Site for Marketers and has received three Small Business Influencer Awards from Small Business Trends. Named by D&B a Top 50 SMB Influencer on Twitter, you can follow Gail @GrowMap and on LinkedIn.
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Filed Under: Small Business Advice Tagged With: crowdsourcing, designcrowd, graphic design

Comments

  1. Ravi Jain says

    February 6, 2019 at 3:21 am

    Great article on graphic design . Thank you for sharing this information.
    Thanks

    Reply
  2. rich degen says

    February 5, 2019 at 7:04 am

    Amazing blog post about graphic design. It is very beneficial for us ..keep writing. good job.
    rich degen would love you to read ..Successful Marketing Tools for 2019My Profile

    Reply
  3. Heather says

    May 2, 2017 at 12:54 pm

    This is a very convenient method for any company, especially those just starting out and unsure of what kind of image they want to be known for. Thanks for sharing!
    Heather would love you to read ..THK Manufacturing Facility OverviewMy Profile

    Reply
  4. vivek gururani says

    August 17, 2016 at 7:32 am

    Crowdsourcing is a great idea for small businesses to get all things at one place. Designhill is a platform which helps small businesses, startups and first-time entrepreneurs to get their business branding done at affordable price. Branding includes logo design, business card design, website design etc. Small business branding is very important to stand out from the crowd and get one upper hand with your competition.

    Reply
  5. Rakib Hasan says

    June 9, 2016 at 3:21 pm

    Thank you for sharing this concept. It will very helpful for me and specially free launcher. I am new in graphic design . Keep it up.
    Rakib Hasan would love you to read ..Protibesir Sathe Chodathodi – প্রতিবেশীর সাথে চদাচুদিMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Rob Benton says

    December 22, 2015 at 11:05 pm

    I agree that logos are very common creations with programs like that. Not having a logo in print can make or break a company, from what it appears. I think that it’s important to have logos on labels, bumper stickers, shirts, and other such things for which a company might use to advertise.

    Reply
  7. Ovi Sheikh says

    May 13, 2015 at 3:53 am

    wow great ..This blog design is really awesome .this is such a nice and informative blog by reading this blog i will be understand important concept og graphic design,Thanks for sharing free blog commenting sites..

    ovi sheikh
    Ovi Sheikh would love you to read ..html a tag useMy Profile

    Reply
  8. satishw.ratna says

    April 29, 2015 at 4:21 am

    Nice Blog Graphic Designing is my passion, Still a newbie in the field but your support helped me, Looking forward to crowdsourcingThe only downside to this solution is that many clients still prefer to meet with the designers in person to better convey their views of their websites and of course there is the sit next to the designer sessions with the quick fixes and edits on the spot.It will be beneficial to everyone who uses it.including me.Keep up the good work.
    Thanks For the blog.
    satishw.ratna would love you to read ..SEO FOR BRAND NEW WEBSITESMy Profile

    Reply
  9. bangla choti says

    April 25, 2015 at 12:50 am

    Well! I am working as a designer in Minneapolis. Thanks for informative share about this.It is really helpful to check out Crowdsource from this post.very interesting and inspiring topic about this Crowdsourcing Graphic Design Process. I’m sure many will be glad to read article. Thanks for it. Fantastic post!
    bangla choti would love you to read ..Bangla Choti মাগির পুটকির গন্ধ Best ChotiMy Profile

    Reply
  10. ikt says

    April 24, 2015 at 2:44 am

    hello
    very interesting tips
    can you describe more about packaging?
    I will use the mentioned services soon
    what about paying by PAYPAL instead of using Escrow?

    Reply
  11. Nestor Nidome says

    April 21, 2015 at 11:05 pm

    Great post! Thanks for clearing a lot of the confusing parts to this. I appreciate this.

    – Nestor
    Nestor Nidome would love you to read ..The Brutal Truth Why Network Marketing Isn’t Working For YouMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Arpan says

    April 21, 2015 at 2:26 pm

    Great I think the rates at designcrowd is expensive the on other sites or may be there are more professional designers there.

    Thanks

    Reply
    • Gail Gardner says

      April 21, 2015 at 8:20 pm

      Hi Arpan,

      We get what we pay for and money is relative. It seems like so much when we’re spending it, yet so little when we’re earning it. There are designers at many different price points. The person who did my logo gets $1200 and there is a difference. I explained all that in How Much Is A Memorable Logo Worth?

      That post includes many tips on how to evaluate a logo plus an explanation of the various image formats. There is a lot more to it than simply creating the image.
      Gail Gardner would love you to read ..Do Not Let Your Images Blow Up Your BlogMy Profile

      Reply
  13. PitchWorx says

    April 21, 2015 at 12:34 pm

    Hey Gail Gardner,

    Well-written article. Keep up. Being a graphic design company, we just loved your blog.

    Reply
  14. Amit Jain says

    April 21, 2015 at 11:31 am

    great idea it is more important to have a good designed website for getting more traffic and increase the visitors on the website. i like that way that you use by posting a blog.

    Reply
  15. David says

    April 21, 2015 at 6:21 am

    I personally would hire in-house designer for my company. Outsourcing work, especially design and development work have never bring any good results and most of the times have been a time wasting. Nothing against freelancers, but this simply have never worked for me.

    Reply
    • Gail Gardner says

      April 21, 2015 at 8:22 pm

      Hi David,

      Crowdsourcing can save money, but it requires investing much more time to find the right designer. Most businesses don’t need a full time in-house designer. Outsourcing works well IF the person requesting the work is very, very clear about what they expect AND they choose someone who has an excellent business process. See https://growmap.com/logo-design/ for some details on what I mean by that.
      Gail Gardner would love you to read ..Bloggers Hiring Bloggers: Kinds of Work You Outsource or Get Hired to DoMy Profile

      Reply
  16. Janice Smith says

    April 20, 2015 at 6:43 pm

    Great point – crowdsourcing graphic design can be a competitive solution on both sides – for unknown and up and coming designers as well as smaller businesses who want a great product but perhaps don’t have a concrete vision of what they want (and want choices) or the budget to hire an established designer.
    Janice Smith would love you to read ..Pashmina Perfection Style Lab – Blue and Yellow FloralsMy Profile

    Reply
  17. zahid says

    April 20, 2015 at 2:46 pm

    The need of a designer can never be refused. In today’s era a person may get full training and could be a professional in any field of designing.
    Thanks for your article is much important for designers.
    zahid would love you to read ..QMobile Noir Z7 Price & SpecsMy Profile

    Reply
  18. Alex Smith says

    April 20, 2015 at 7:01 am

    Crowdsourcing graphic design – the term is new for me but it helps me to think on it.
    simply great.

    Reply
  19. Logan Bertram says

    April 18, 2015 at 7:14 pm

    I live in Savannah, and all these kids are coming out of SCAD with design degrees looking for work, and over valuing themselves. It’s like none of their professors told them they were entering a global marketplace where they’ll need to compete against talented designers from all over the world.

    My main guy (though we usually crowd-source) is from Thailand, and his rates are half of these new grads, his work is better, and he’s been in the biz for a decade.

    Reply
    • Gail Gardner says

      April 20, 2015 at 12:33 am

      Hi Logan,

      Colleges need to be teaching designers to run their own businesses and how to survive freelancing. Most students would have been better off not going to college and burying themselves in debt. They don’t know that they are unlikely to land a position that pays well enough to live on and repay their loans. They’ll end up living at home with their parents or in an apartment with many others because they can’ afford their own place.
      Gail Gardner would love you to read ..The Surprising Reason Why Quality Content Does Not Attract ReadersMy Profile

      Reply
  20. Tim says

    April 17, 2015 at 10:48 am

    Hi Gail,

    In your line of work you obviously know how valuable a technique like this can be. I work with small businesses as well and while I provide graphics/web design services, some people simply can’t afford them. Crowd sourcing is a fantastic alternative way to get high quality work at a price that fits inside a small business budget. Thanks for sharing!

    Tim
    Tim would love you to read ..4 Keys for Effective B2B Marketing Targeted to an Older AudienceMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gail Gardner says

      April 18, 2015 at 3:47 am

      Hi Tim,

      What I like about DesignCrowd is that they have mitigated some of the reasons why crowdsourcing is bad for the designers and provide a way to see their portfolios and choose someone to work with at the price level you can afford. They also let new designers get started. I just hope businesses realize you really do get what you pay for so you can’t expect a $1200 logo for $50.

      There is a reason that some designers can charge $1200 and others will be at $50 forever just as there is a reason some writers charge $18 and others $150 or $500+.
      Gail Gardner would love you to read ..The Surprising Reason Why Quality Content Does Not Attract ReadersMy Profile

      Reply
      • AB Associates says

        April 18, 2015 at 9:51 am

        really this is possible…??
        without graphic designer, we can create an attractive and useful design with the help of this website???

        Reply
        • Gail Gardner says

          April 20, 2015 at 12:38 am

          You find and work with graphic designers using this site. If you want to try to create your own designs you would use a solution like Canva.com.
          Gail Gardner would love you to read ..Bloggers Hiring Bloggers: Kinds of Work You Outsource or Get Hired to DoMy Profile

          Reply
          • Red Rock says

            April 20, 2015 at 11:35 am

            Yes we can create graphics with the help of websites…!!
            thank you for sharing this informational content…!!!
            Red Rock would love you to read ..Hello world!My Profile

  21. Ovi Sheikh says

    April 17, 2015 at 10:07 am

    HI ””
    wow great website It will be beneficial to everyone who uses it.including me.Keep up the good work.- i will definitely read more posts. thanks

    Reply
  22. Aditya says

    April 16, 2015 at 9:40 am

    Graphic Designing is my passion, Still a newbie in the field but your support helped me, Looking forward to crowdsourcing
    Aditya would love you to read ..Xiaomi Mi 4 cost in India deducted by Rs 2000My Profile

    Reply
  23. Sohel Rana says

    April 16, 2015 at 7:02 am

    I’m a new blogger but I have no idea about Grapics design. But I got some idea from your post.

    Thanks and Cheers up.
    Sohel Rana would love you to read ..16 MP Camera Is Featured in Lenovo Vibe Shot – UpdatetechMy Profile

    Reply
  24. Samantha says

    April 15, 2015 at 4:07 pm

    Wonderful post I guess, Well I’m not a graphic designer or a creative person so I’ll have to pass this graphic design thing. But I was always thing about how this work? I think I’m at the right place to learn about graphic design process.

    Thanks for sharing!
    Samantha would love you to read ..Bluehost VS HostGator Hosting ServicesMy Profile

    Reply
  25. Mitch says

    April 15, 2015 at 10:32 am

    I am in the digital business and I certainly love the idea of having access to many of designers across a wide range of experiences and cultures which means plenty of design options from which to choose.

    The only downside to this solution is that many clients still prefer to meet with the designers in person to better convey their views of their websites and of course there is the sit next to the designer sessions with the quick fixes and edits on the spot.

    But it would be the perfect platform for the initial concept design. Big like :d
    Mitch would love you to read ..Dating Ideas Worldwide | Huge Date Ideas directoryMy Profile

    Reply
  26. dinesh says

    April 15, 2015 at 3:12 am

    hey thanks for this post, this is such a nice and informative blog by reading this blog i will be understand important concept og graphic design.

    Reply
  27. Sciwiz says

    April 14, 2015 at 11:24 am

    Very well written information. It will be beneficial to everyone who uses it.including me.Keep up the good work.- i will definitely read more posts.
    Sciwiz would love you to read ..Web Design Trends for 2015: Responsive, Mobile, ScrollMy Profile

    Reply
    • Red Rock says

      April 15, 2015 at 1:38 pm

      i agree with you, superb information about graphic designs, keep on writing. Thank you for sharing this information
      Red Rock would love you to read ..Hello world!My Profile

      Reply
  28. Sarah says

    April 10, 2015 at 3:56 pm

    It’s very interesting and inspiring topic about this Crowdsourcing Graphic Design Process. I’m sure many will be glad to read this article. Thanks for sharing it. Fantastic post!
    Sarah would love you to read ..5 Retail Marketing IdeasMy Profile

    Reply

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