Crowdsourcing: Driving the future of Logo Design in UK |
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Since its inception, crowdsourcing has purportedly been a controversial subject in logo design. The term “crowdsourcing” was coined by Jeff Howe, which is also referred as spec-work and online contests by the jargons. It is still debated whether crowdsourcing is useful or detrimental for the logo design industry.
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Benefits of Crowdsourcing |
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| • Crowdsourcing provides a platform for logo designers to demonstrate their talent | ||||||||
| • It gives an equal opportunity for designers from all parts of the world to compete | ||||||||
| • It brings the emerging and promising logo designers into the limelight | ||||||||
| • It creates an environment of competition, which in turn yields higher quality of logo designs | ||||||||
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| • Crowdsourcing is a prompt and convenient way of carrying out logo design transactions | ||||||||
| • It provides a chance for designers in the third world countries with insignificant portfolio to earn a living | ||||||||
| • Serves as a social hub for designers to get acquainted with their counterparts and learn | ||||||||
| • It benefits designers in the long-run, with possibility of further projects once their design is selected. | ||||||||
| • A practical and feasible option for companies with budget constraints | ||||||||
Drawbacks of Crowdsourcing: |
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| • Crowdsourcing usually yields only one winner and the rest of the designer feel neglected | ||||||||
| • Although it is a low-cost solution for companies, it may compromise on quality of logo design due to time constraints. | ||||||||
| • Preferences of the winning design are made solely on the basis of client’s decision. | ||||||||
| • It is believed that crowdsourcing devaluates the prices of logo designs. | ||||||||
| • Crowdsourcing may involve legal concerns as there is a possibility that the logo design violates copyright and trademark issues. | ||||||||
| • Since logo design contests are time-bound, they may produce low quality of logo designs in haste. | ||||||||
How is crowdsourcing serving logo design in UK?There are numerous examples to suffice that crowdsourcing is playing a vital role in the field of logo design in UK. The latest case in point is the logo design contest initiated by Greenpeace UK to redesign the BP logo. Designers of all ages and experiences are thrilled to join this contest, even though it does not entail any prize money. Another case in point is the recent EU organic logo redesign obtained through an online contest. The contest adjudicated the best three logo designs, each with respective prize money. The winner received €6,000, while the runners-up collected €3,500 and €2,500 respectively. |
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Initiating the rising trend: |
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One of the major reasons for criticism and reprisal against logo design contest and other crowdsourcing sites is that it undermines the well-established logo designers and their potential work. Frankly speaking, being intimidated by competition is not a satisfactory rationale for opposing new trends. Irrespective of what crowdsourcing antagonist feel, it is a proven fact that logo design contests are a rising trend and a useful and bright prospect for emerging logo designers. Keeping in view the emerging trends, we here at logoguru.co.uk, have initiated our very own logo design contest site where designers are invited to participate and earn. |
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June 21st, 2010 at 1:06 pm
A very controversial subject…things like these should not be given much attention. Instead of wasting time rambling on whether crowdsourcing is good or bad, everyone should focus on what they do rather than what others do. Designing logos is carefree of whatever means adopted.
June 24th, 2010 at 11:19 am
What is the problem in crowdsourcing if the ones who participate are willing to do it? When there are no issues with designers who earn a living through crowdsourcing, then why make a fuss out of it? It a global world my friend and these things help facilitate business as well as the economy.
June 27th, 2010 at 8:11 am
I guess there is no perfect answer to this crowdsourcing theme….this is because crowdsourcing is the act of outsourcing tasks, traditionally performed by an employee or contractor, to a large group of people or community (a crowd), through an open call.
For example, the public may be invited to develop a new technology, carry out a design task (also known as community-based design and distributed participatory design), refine or carry out the steps of an algorithm, or help capture, systematize or analyze large amounts of data .
June 27th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
I, for one, think that crowdsourcing is a little unfair towards designers since it does not entail any guaranteed money.
i am not totally against the concept of these contests and stuff but this can be reformed into something more fair and just, starting from setting a guaranteed consolation prize for participating or something of the sort…
July 8th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
I understand the basic ideas behind crowdsourcing, but surely it is the same as ‘voting by committee’ as design gets watered down to suit all tastes?
Grant