A question for all you designers!

[JerMohler]

Seeing as how there was such a great response to the other logo contest -

Well, I've got a question for all you designers out there -

I'm going to be posting a logo contest here a little later, but for now, I'm curious as to what would be a good prize? I want who ever wins to be compensated for their work, but unfortunately, we don't have a huge amount of funds to put toward this.

So the question - would a commissioned piece of artwork be worth while for you guys? It could be anything you wanted (within reason) and we would send you the original piece of artwork. My thinking being that we could give you more for your work with an original piece of artwork than we can afford to give you monetarily.

Would this interest any of you? Or would you prefer monetary compensation?

Thanks for the help in advance!

[Chris Passeno]

Money.

While having a great piece of art to put on my wall, has it's advantages, it won't pay my mortgage.

[Bob_Cram]

For myself, I'd be happy as hell to have a piece from you, Jeremy. Especially as your rates are probably more than I could afford, normaly.

On the other hand, monetary compensation will probably get you more submissions...

Perhaps winner's choice?

-bob

[Keahi]

Money.

While having a great piece of art to put on my wall, has it's advantages, it won't pay my mortgage.


In agreement.

[bigsimon]

While I submitted several images for the recent logo contest, I'm not techincally an artist, and never intend to make money from art, so what I have to say might not count a whole bunch.

Now, with that out of the way, I'm just as likely to enter a contest for a piece of art, or for a free RPG book, or for just about anything else, just because I like entering contests. *grin*

[JerMohler]

Well,

What about a prize like a graphire pen?

And thanks for the feedback, everybody!

[Jerry D. Grayson]

I’d be willing to take artwork. Perhaps something I could use for one of MY books;)

[Jerry D. Grayson]

Id suggest just put up your contest with guideline and what’s offered. Those that don’t want to enter won’t and those who are ok with it will.

I look at theses things as a sort of Boot Camp for designers and not as a way to waste my time. If you asked me to design something on spec and didn’t pay me that’s a different story.

Don’t worry about the thread crappers and do the contest in goodwill. Those that enjoy such things will be along for the ride.

[JerMohler]

Thank you, Jerry!

I appreciate the feedback. I hadn't considered an option to do work for a book, but that is certainly a possability.

I'll see about getting the contest posted.

Thanks people!

[Curandero]

Are your color pieces digital? because I would love to have one of those if they are traditional. If not maybe offer a color print and the original art :) The Graphire pen would be cool but only because I need one. Others may already have one.

[defcombeta]

a book based on some thing that is part of ourcraft would be good, a solid anatmony book perhaps etc, the graphire pen sound very nice, and its hows how your mind was working along the lines of something practical.

john mac

[Winneganfake]

While the graphire pen'd be nice, I'd settle for just about anything else just as quickly.


(And hopefully, this time I'll have some free time and energy to work on a logo design contest)

[JerMohler]

Great feedback, everybody.

I'm posting the info on the logo contest right now.

Thanks!

[Jon H]

If I were setting up a freelance art studio I would want to carefully consider the message that this contest sends out:

1: We dont have a single member capable of designing a logo. I mean c'mon guys - outsoursing already?

2: We ask for, and there for presumably do, work on spec. That puts you in a very low standing with other professional freelancers.

[JerMohler]

Actually,

The contest is designed to not only bring traffic to our site and our various projects, but also, hopefully, for us to find a reliable and competent logo designer.

As it stands, the studio is changing, the old site is outdated, and we're looking for some new talent for the studio. That being said, we are quite strong in terms of illustration, and now we are wanting to find some designers that can eventually take our ideas and make them presentable, especially with logos.

As to the work on spec, the artist will not only be compensated for their one final logo, but will most likely be returned to for actual work down the line. And we're paying for the final logo(s), not all the work that goes along with it or any of the non-winning work.

But, feel free to look at this how you will. And honestly, I don't want this to become a big debate, I would prefer to keep this fun and light hearted, as it should be.

If you want to start a debate about contracts, work-for-hire, and spec work, let's start a new thread and talk about how to change industry standard contracts that give certain print rights instead of work-for-hire, which is something I'm going to be steering not only the studio, but my own professional work.

Thanks!

[Jon H]

Actually,

The contest is designed to not only bring traffic to our site and our various projects, but also, hopefully, for us to find a reliable and competent logo designer.

As it stands, the studio is changing, the old site is outdated, and we're looking for some new talent for the studio. That being said, we are quite strong in terms of illustration, and now we are wanting to find some designers that can eventually take our ideas and make them presentable, especially with logos.

As to the work on spec, the artist will not only be compensated (and this is no different than a typical contract that just about any actual company out there would use), but will most likely be returned to for actual work down the line. And we're paying for the final logo(s), not all the work that goes along with it or any of the non-winning work.

But, feel free to look at this how you will.

Work on spec usually comes with a potential for compensation. The "on spec" bit is that the artist makes the work with no guarantee of compensation. Only the winner will be compensated. Most of the people who enter will not be. Now that sits fine with the hoby guys who have already posted. Good for them. And I mean that honestly, with no sly snark intended whatsoever. But ask a full time pro to design a logo, and if you like it you'll pay for it, and you'll get a different repsonse.

I'm not having a go at you, Jer. Its merely an observation on how this contest comes across to an impartial observer who's been round the block. Currently you advertise full book art services as part of ERS. But you aren't willing to use them yourselves for your logos? That's what's comes across to me, given that you don't explain that the winner will taken onboard as a studio member. Tryouts are one thing. Contests are another. A fine distinction tobe sure, but an important one. Maybe some copy as part of the contest that explains what you have just laid out here would help clarify that this is a search for a new studio member? Make it look less like outsourcing on spec.


But feel free to take an unfavourable answer to the question you asked how you will. :p:p:p:p:p

[JerMohler]

Hey Jon,

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate you taking the time to let me know what you think.

Take it easy!