Forbes magazine recently published this story about CrowdSpring.
So, is crowd sourcing a threat to graphic design? Or is it an easy way to turn your skills into quick cash? Do you want to toss your work into a bucket with 1,000 other hopefuls for 250 bucks? Post your thoughts here!
Thanks to Monina for the link.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The End of Graphic Design?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
5 comments:
i think its sad that graphic design has come down to being a "snooty business". as an insider, is that what we've become?
i think the democratic factor their pushing in the article is great (the idea that we are all capable). client oriented work should always come in a plethora of options, and here we see that the options span wide. but because of this, issues are bound to arise: what if the client likes a lot about a particular design, but would like to see a few things tweaked; what if they wish to work with this person again, but find that their design is somewhat inconsistent, or opt to work with another designer that delivers wildly different results. What you see is what you get. If that's how you wish your design to be, if you are willing to settle, then I think this is a great tool for your company. And as young professionals, these types of innovation punches are what we will have to roll with. It was only a matter of time. I think the website is a great way to bag a quick freelance job, but -again- it attracts a certain kind of client, one that may of may not create a lasting relationship.
Damn it.
I don't know what to say to this. I'm hopeful that things like this don't really start to catch on. I can't imagine big name companies actually wanting to use something like this. From the brief look I took at the website it looks like a bunch of lame start-up companies without the capital to go to a design firm and have anything meaningful done.
The other thing is that from the sounds of it there is little to no client designer relationship. If i'm starting a company the amount of effort that takes is enormous that means this project is my baby, and i'm really not going to want to settle on a design that is pretty close. without actually talking things through with a designer there is no way to really get the work to a level both client and designer are comfortable with. That dialogue can't exist with only a project brief, we got to see through Zach's lecture how that kind of thing works to push the design.
I don't know, maybe people are happy with their brand being almost right and almost communicating. Or maybe I don't give the people submitting enough credit. Who knows?
good thoughts, mogan and ian. whenever i see these kinds of schemes, it always reminds me of how deep and wide the world of design is, and that there is a place for all kinds of designers and clients to land in their perfect spot. this particular kind of spot is well suited to hobbyists (client "playing business" and creative person "playing designer"), freelancers struggling to grab anything they can, "desktop publishers" that do software-driven design, etc, etc.
you are both right in the types of clients this attracts. i'm guessing that the work is pretty shallow, and it's probably very limited to what the client says they need -- standardized formats -- without any real dialogue (as ian stated) that opens up new possibilities. it seems like a progressive "business model" but a regressive "creative model" that fosters stagnation in many respects.
hopefully you all are realizing that we are striving to teach you to create innovative form that responds in very meaningful ways to specific client and audience needs. that can only come through careful listening, research, and a rigorous creative process. i believe there will always be a place for that in the big world of design, and you all will fill it very well. you will also be properly compensated for that work by people who demand high quality graphic design.
So I have a confession to make.
I've been on this site for about a week now.
And I've already earned $1000.
That said, I definitely believe that good ideas can come from anywhere, not just from the office of some high street design firm, but from any of the people posting on the website. There are things wrong with the site though. I wouldn't say anything groundbreaking will come from it, but I do believe that its an empowering tool for designers to make a bit of cash. Its also a good way for people that don't work at design firms to get real world, professional experience and pad their portfolios.
What could be wrong with that?
Post a Comment