Based on checking the website, 99designs.com is a platform that connects businesses with freelance graphic designers for various design needs, from logos and websites to packaging and branding.

It operates on a contest-based model or direct one-on-one projects, aiming to provide professional design solutions quickly.

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Table of Contents

99designs.com Review & First Look

Upon an initial review of 99designs.com, it presents itself as a robust marketplace for graphic design services.

The platform’s primary appeal lies in its diverse pool of designers and the flexibility it offers through design contests and direct project engagements.

It caters to a wide spectrum of businesses, from startups needing a foundational logo to established entities seeking a brand refresh or specific marketing collateral.

The Contest Model: A Deep Dive

The core offering that sets 99designs apart is its design contest model. Here’s how it generally functions:

Brief Creation: A client submits a detailed brief outlining their design needs, target audience, preferred styles, and budget.
Designer Submissions: Multiple designers from around the world submit initial concepts based on the brief.
Feedback and Iteration: The client provides feedback on the submissions, leading to revisions and refinements from selected designers.
Winner Selection: The client chooses a winning design, and ownership of the design is transferred. The winning designer receives the prize money.

This model, while offering a variety of options, can sometimes lead to: Nekohealth.com Reviews

“Spec Work” Concerns: Designers invest time and effort without guaranteed compensation, raising ethical questions within the design community.
Volume Over Quality: While many excellent designers are on the platform, the sheer volume of submissions can sometimes dilute the overall quality in contests.

One-on-One Projects: A Different Approach

Beyond contests, 99designs also facilitates direct one-on-one projects with designers.

This model is more akin to traditional freelance hiring:

Designer Search: Clients can browse designer portfolios, read reviews, and invite specific designers to work on their projects.
Direct Collaboration: Communication and project management occur directly between the client and the chosen designer.
Milestone Payments: Payments are typically made in stages, or milestones, as agreed upon by both parties.

This approach often leads to:

Stronger Relationships: Clients can build long-term relationships with designers whose work they appreciate.
More Controlled Process: The client has more direct control over the design process and can work closely with a single designer.

User Interface and Experience

The website itself is clean, intuitive, and easy to navigate. Key features include:

Clear Categories: Design services are well-categorized e.g., Logo & branding design, Website & app design, Packaging & label.
Inspiration Gallery: A dedicated “Inspiration” section showcases various design projects, helping potential clients visualize possibilities.
Search Functionality: Clients can easily search for designers based on their style, industry expertise, or project type.
Help Center: A comprehensive Help Center provides answers to common questions and guides users through the platform.

The user reviews prominently displayed on the homepage, with a 4.8/5 rating from 37,628 customer reviews, suggest a generally positive user experience, emphasizing the platform’s reliability and the quality of its designers. Lucidig.co.uk Reviews

99designs.com Pros & Cons

When evaluating 99designs.com, it’s crucial to weigh its advantages against its drawbacks to determine if it’s the right fit for your design needs.

The Upsides: What 99designs Does Well

Based on the website’s offerings and user testimonials, 99designs boasts several compelling benefits:

Vast Pool of Talent: The platform claims to have a global community of designers from 192 countries. This means access to diverse styles, cultural perspectives, and skill sets that might be harder to find locally. For instance, if you need a logo with a specific cultural flair, you’re likely to find designers with that expertise.
Speed and Efficiency: For design contests, you can often get dozens of initial concepts within days. This rapid turnaround is invaluable for businesses needing design work quickly, perhaps for a product launch or an urgent marketing campaign.
Variety of Options Especially in Contests: In a design contest, you’re not limited to one designer’s interpretation. You receive multiple unique submissions, allowing you to choose from a broad spectrum of creative directions. This can be particularly beneficial for initial branding where you’re still exploring visual identities.
Cost-Effectiveness for Certain Projects: While pricing varies, the contest model can be cost-effective for smaller projects like logo design, especially if you get a high number of quality submissions. You pay a fixed prize, regardless of how many designers participate. The website states logo contests start from US$299.
Risk Mitigation for Clients: You only pay for the design you choose in contests. If you don’t like any of the submissions, 99designs offers a money-back guarantee conditions apply, as seen in their Help Center. This reduces the financial risk for the client.
Streamlined Process: The platform provides tools for communication, feedback, and file handoff, making the design process relatively smooth. This centralized approach simplifies project management.
Vetted Designers: 99designs emphasizes that all its designers are “vetted creative experts.” This implies a level of quality control, ensuring that designers meet certain professional standards.

The Downsides: Where 99designs Might Fall Short

Despite its advantages, 99designs also has aspects that might not suit every client or designer:

“Spec Work” Concerns for Designers: As mentioned, the contest model requires designers to invest time and effort without guaranteed payment. This can be contentious within the design community, with some viewing it as exploitative. For clients, this might indirectly affect the willingness of top-tier designers to consistently participate in contests.
Potential for Generic Designs: With a focus on volume in contests, there’s a risk of receiving designs that are functional but lack true originality or deep strategic thinking. This can happen if designers rush to produce many concepts without fully grasping the nuances of the brand.
Less Direct Collaboration in Contests: While feedback is provided, the contest model can sometimes feel less collaborative than a direct one-on-one project. You might not get the deep, iterative discussions with a single designer that lead to truly bespoke and strategically aligned designs.
Time Investment for Clients: Reviewing numerous submissions in a contest can be time-consuming. Providing effective feedback to multiple designers requires effort and clarity, which not all clients are prepared for.
Quality Variance: While designers are vetted, the quality of submissions can still vary significantly within a contest. Finding that one gem amidst many less suitable options requires careful discernment.
Limited Scope for Complex Projects: For highly complex projects requiring extensive research, strategic thinking, and multiple rounds of detailed revisions e.g., comprehensive brand strategy, complex UX/UI design for a large application, the contest model might not be ideal. One-on-one projects might be better, but even then, deeper engagements are often better handled by dedicated agencies or in-house teams.
Intellectual Property and Rights: While 99designs handles the transfer of intellectual property upon contest completion, some clients might prefer direct agreements with designers to ensure absolute clarity from the outset, especially for sensitive projects.

Understanding these pros and cons will help you make an informed decision about whether 99designs aligns with your specific project requirements, budget, and desired level of collaboration.

99designs.com Pricing

Understanding the pricing structure of 99designs.com is crucial for any business considering its services. Fasadeprodukter.no Reviews

The platform primarily operates on a project-based pricing model, with variations depending on whether you choose a design contest or a one-on-one project.

Design Contest Pricing Tiers

For design contests, 99designs offers tiered packages, influencing the prize money awarded to the winning designer and the level of service and designer experience you receive.

The website indicates different tiers, with varying price points and benefits:

Bronze: This is typically the entry-level package, offering a basic prize to the winning designer. It’s suitable for small businesses or individuals with straightforward design needs and limited budgets. The price starts from around US$299 for a logo contest. You’ll likely attract newer designers or those building their portfolios.
Silver: A mid-range option that offers a higher prize, attracting more experienced designers and potentially leading to more varied and higher-quality submissions. This tier is often recommended for small to medium-sized businesses looking for a balance between cost and quality.
Gold: This premium tier commands a significantly higher prize, drawing top-tier designers with extensive experience and strong portfolios. Expect more refined concepts and a higher likelihood of finding a truly outstanding design. It’s ideal for businesses where design is a critical component of their brand identity.
Platinum: The highest tier, offering the largest prize money. This package aims to attract the most elite designers on the platform, often guaranteeing a dedicated account manager and a higher level of service. It’s suited for established businesses or those with high-stakes design requirements.

Key Factors Influencing Contest Pricing:

Design Category: Prices vary by the type of design. Logo design contests are generally less expensive than website design or full branding packages.
Prize Money: A larger prize attracts more designers and often higher-quality submissions.
Guaranteed Contest: Making your contest “guaranteed” means you commit to picking a winner and paying the prize, which encourages more designers to participate.
Add-ons: Additional features like private contests not visible to the public, featured contests promoted by 99designs, or extra design categories come with added costs.

For example, while a logo contest might start at US$299, a full website design contest could easily range from US$599 to over US$1,500 depending on the tier and complexity. Shiresmt.com Reviews

One-on-One Project Pricing

When working directly with a designer, the pricing structure is more flexible and is typically negotiated directly between the client and the designer.

Designer Rates: Designers set their own hourly rates or project-based fees. These rates can vary widely based on:
- Experience Level: Top-tier designers with extensive portfolios and positive reviews will command higher rates.
- Project Complexity: More intricate or time-consuming projects will naturally cost more.
- Design Category: A complex UI/UX design project for a mobile app will be significantly more expensive than a simple flyer design.
Platform Fee: 99designs may charge a small platform fee or commission on one-on-one projects, which is usually a percentage of the project value.
Escrow System: The platform typically uses an escrow system where funds are held securely until project milestones are completed and approved by the client, ensuring security for both parties.

While the website doesn’t publish fixed prices for one-on-one projects, clients can browse designer portfolios which often indicate their starting rates or general pricing ranges.

This allows for more customized pricing based on the specific scope of work.

Additional Cost Considerations

Revisions: While initial rounds of revisions are usually included, extensive or out-of-scope revisions might incur additional charges, especially in one-on-one projects.
Stock Photos/Fonts: If the design requires licensed stock photos or premium fonts, these costs might be passed on to the client or need to be purchased separately.
Brand Guide/Style Guide: For comprehensive branding projects, a detailed brand guide documenting fonts, colors, usage rules might be an add-on or part of a higher-tier package.

In summary, 99designs.com offers transparent pricing for its contest model, with clear tiers outlining what to expect.

For one-on-one projects, it provides a flexible marketplace where clients and designers negotiate terms, allowing for tailored solutions and pricing based on specific needs. Supercuts.com Reviews

It’s always advisable to clearly define your project scope and budget upfront to ensure you select the most suitable option.

99designs.com Alternatives

While 99designs.com offers a unique model for acquiring design services, it’s certainly not the only player in the game.

Depending on your budget, project complexity, desired level of collaboration, and ethical considerations regarding “spec work,” several alternatives might be a better fit.

For Diverse Creative Needs & Freelance Hiring

Upwork:
- Overview: A massive global freelance marketplace where you can find designers for virtually any creative project, from graphic design to web development, writing, and marketing.
- How it Works: You post a job, and freelancers bid on it, or you can invite specific freelancers. You negotiate rates hourly or fixed-price directly.
- Pros: Huge talent pool, wide range of services, direct communication, project-based or hourly billing, secure payment system.
- Cons: Quality can vary significantly, requires active management to filter through candidates, platform fees apply.
- Best For: Long-term projects, specialized design needs, clients who want direct control over the hiring and management process.
Fiverr: Lensbury.com Reviews
- Overview: Known for its “gig” economy, where freelancers offer specific services gigs at fixed price points.
- How it Works: You browse pre-defined “gigs” e.g., “I will design a modern logo for $50” and order directly.
- Pros: Very affordable for simple tasks, quick turnaround for basic designs, easy to use, clear pricing upfront.
- Cons: Quality can be inconsistent, less room for complex or highly customized projects, limited revision rounds on cheaper gigs.
- Best For: Small, simple, and low-budget design tasks like basic logos, social media graphics, or simple banner ads.

For High-Quality, Curated Design Talent

Dribbble Hire Designers:
- Overview: Primarily a showcase platform for designers to display their portfolios “shots”. It also has a “Jobs” board and a “Hire Designers” feature.
- How it Works: You can browse portfolios and contact designers directly, or post a job listing to attract talent.
- Pros: High-quality design talent, excellent for visual inspiration, direct communication with designers, designers are often highly skilled and specialized.
- Cons: Can be more expensive than general marketplaces, designers might have longer lead times due to demand, requires more active outreach.
- Best For: Clients seeking top-tier design aesthetics, unique styles, and potentially long-term collaborations with highly skilled individual designers.
Behance:
- Overview: Adobe’s platform for showcasing creative work, similar to Dribbble but with a broader range of creative disciplines. It also has a job board.
- How it Works: Browse portfolios, find designers, and contact them directly.
- Pros: Extensive and diverse portfolios, good for finding specialized talent, many designers from established agencies and studios.
- Cons: No built-in payment or project management tools you manage outside the platform, might be harder to filter for budget-friendly options.
- Best For: Discovering high-caliber designers and agencies, especially for comprehensive branding, illustration, or UI/UX projects.

For Agency-Level Service Without the Full Agency Price Tag

Design Pickle / Penji Unlimited Design Services:
- Overview: Subscription-based graphic design services where you pay a flat monthly fee for unlimited design requests.
- How it Works: You submit design requests through their platform, and a dedicated designer or team works on them, delivering designs typically within 1-2 business days.
- Pros: Predictable monthly cost, ideal for ongoing design needs, no hiring hassle, consistent brand application if working with the same designer.
- Cons: Not suitable for complex or highly strategic projects, design quality can sometimes be basic, communication is often asynchronous.
- Best For: Businesses with a consistent stream of routine design tasks like social media graphics, blog images, basic marketing materials, or presentation slides.

Building Your Own Network & Hiring Locally

Referrals: Ask fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, or colleagues for recommendations. Word-of-mouth is often the best way to find reliable and talented designers.
Local Agencies/Freelancers: Search for design agencies or freelance designers in your city or region. This allows for in-person meetings, stronger communication, and a better understanding of local market trends.
Networking Events: Attend industry events, design meetups, or business expos. Directly meeting designers can lead to valuable connections.
Online Portfolios: Search platforms like LinkedIn, personal websites, or even Instagram for designers showcasing their work.

Choosing the right alternative depends on your specific design requirements and how you prefer to manage creative projects.

Each platform and approach has its own strengths and weaknesses.

How to Cancel 99designs.com Subscription

Based on information typically available in their Help Center, cancelling a subscription or managing project commitments on 99designs.com involves different steps depending on the service you’re using. Bibliobloom.com Reviews

Cancelling a Design Contest

For design contests, the process isn’t a “cancellation” in the traditional subscription sense, but rather involves managing the contest itself.

Before a Winner is Chosen:
- You can typically close a contest early or extend its duration from your contest dashboard.
- Refunds: 99designs offers a money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied with the designs submitted, provided certain conditions are met. This usually means:
  - You haven’t chosen a winner.
  - You haven’t moved to the Final Round.
  - You haven’t guaranteed the contest prize.
  - The request is made within 60 days of launching the contest.
- To request a refund, you would typically navigate to your contest dashboard and look for an option like “Request Refund” or contact 99designs support directly through their Help Center.
After a Winner is Chosen or Contest is Guaranteed:
- Once you’ve chosen a winner, or if you’ve marked your contest as “guaranteed,” the prize money is committed to the winning designer, and a refund is generally no longer possible. The platform aims to protect the designers’ time and effort.

Cancelling One-on-One Projects

For one-on-one projects, which are usually milestone-based, cancellation is more about discontinuing work with a designer.

Before Funds are Released for a Milestone:
- If you’ve paid for a milestone but the work hasn’t been completed or approved, you can typically discuss the situation with the designer.
- If an agreement cannot be reached, 99designs usually has a dispute resolution process through their support team. Funds held in escrow for incomplete milestones can potentially be refunded or reallocated based on the dispute outcome.
After Funds are Released for a Milestone:
- Once a milestone is completed and you’ve approved the work, the funds are released to the designer, and that portion of the project is considered final.
- For future milestones, you can usually stop the project by informing the designer and 99designs support that you wish to discontinue the work. Any funds committed to future, unstarted milestones can then be refunded.

General Steps for Seeking Cancellation or Refund

Log In: Access your 99designs.com account.
Navigate to Your Dashboard: Go to your active contests or one-on-one projects.
Look for Options:
- For contests: Search for “Close Contest,” “Refund,” or “Contact Support.”
- For 1-on-1 projects: Look for options to “End Project” or “Dispute Milestone.”
Contact Support: If you can’t find the specific option or need assistance, the most reliable method is to contact 99designs customer support directly through their Help Center. They will guide you through the appropriate steps based on your specific situation. Their Help Center is accessible via the “Support” link in the footer.

It’s important to read the terms and conditions related to refunds and project cancellations on 99designs.com’s official website, as policies can change, and specific rules apply to different scenarios. Transparency and clear communication with both designers and the 99designs support team are key to a smooth process. Callpercy.com Reviews

How to Get the Most from 99designs.com

To maximize your return on investment and ensure a successful outcome on 99designs.com, a strategic approach is essential, whether you’re running a contest or working one-on-one.

Crafting a Winning Design Brief

The design brief is the single most critical element for success on 99designs. It’s your blueprint for designers.

Be Clear and Specific: Don’t be vague. Instead of “I want a modern logo,” say, “I need a minimalist logo that conveys trust and innovation, using a clean sans-serif font and a color palette of deep blues and silvers.”
Provide Context: Explain your business, its values, target audience, and what makes you unique. The more designers understand your brand, the better their concepts will be.
Include Examples: Share links to designs you like and dislike. This helps designers understand your aesthetic preferences. Use platforms like Pinterest, Dribbble, or even competitors’ designs.
Define Deliverables: Clearly state what you need: file formats AI, EPS, JPG, PNG, variations color, black & white, social media kits, etc.
Set Realistic Expectations: Understand that designers are interpreting your vision. Be open to creative suggestions, but also firm on your core requirements.

Example Brief Snippets:

“Our target audience is environmentally conscious millennials, aged 25-40, who value sustainable products.” Demographic & Values
“We prefer a clean, minimalist aesthetic, similar to Apple or Everlane. Avoid overly ornate or grungy styles.” Style Guidance
“We need the logo in vector formats AI, EPS, high-resolution PNGs for web, and a favicon version.” Deliverables

Managing Your Contest Effectively

If you choose the contest model, active management throughout the process is key.

Frequent Feedback: Provide specific, constructive feedback on submissions regularly. Don’t wait until the last minute. Designers thrive on direction.
- Good Feedback: “I like the concept of the tree, but the leaves feel too stiff. Can you try making them more fluid and organic, perhaps with a subtle gradient?”
- Bad Feedback: “I don’t like it. Try again.”
Rank and Rate Designs: Use the ranking and rating system to show designers which concepts resonate with you. This guides their efforts.
Eliminate Early: Don’t be afraid to eliminate designs that are clearly off-brief or low quality. This helps focus your attention on the stronger concepts.
Engage with Designers: Respond to designer questions promptly. A designer who feels heard is more likely to invest extra effort.
Utilize Rounds: Use the “Top 5” or “Final Round” feature to narrow down your choices and get more focused revisions from a select group of designers.

Working Successfully on One-on-One Projects

If you opt for a direct project, the emphasis shifts to clear communication and collaboration. Reflectwindow.com Reviews

Thorough Vetting: Spend time reviewing designer portfolios, client reviews, and their communication style before hiring. Look for designers whose style aligns with your brand.
Clear Milestones: Break down the project into manageable milestones with agreed-upon deliverables and payment schedules.
Consistent Communication: Maintain open lines of communication. Schedule regular check-ins. Use the platform’s messaging system or external tools if preferred.
Specific Feedback: Just like with contests, provide detailed and actionable feedback. Refer to specific elements, colors, fonts, or layouts.
Respect Timelines: Be mindful of the designer’s time and agreed-upon deadlines. Promptly review work and provide feedback to keep the project on track.
Trust the Expert: While it’s your vision, remember you’re hiring a professional. Be open to their expertise and suggestions. A good designer will push boundaries and offer creative solutions you might not have considered.

By following these best practices, you can significantly increase your chances of securing high-quality design work that truly meets your business objectives on 99designs.com.

99designs.com for Designers

For freelance graphic designers, 99designs.com offers a unique platform with both opportunities and challenges.

Understanding its dynamics is key to building a successful presence.

The Designer Experience: A Dual Model

Designers on 99designs primarily engage through two avenues:

Design Contests: This is the most visible and often entry-level way for designers to participate.
- Pros:
  - Exposure: Contests provide a quick way to build a portfolio, especially for new designers. Even if you don’t win, your submissions are visible to potential clients.
  - Skill Development: Participating in diverse contests helps designers hone their skills, work with different styles, and learn to interpret various briefs.
  - Client Acquisition: Winning a contest can lead to direct one-on-one projects from satisfied clients.
- Cons:
  - Spec Work: The most significant critique is the “speculative work” nature. Designers invest time and effort without guaranteed payment, as only the winning design is compensated.
  - Competition: Contests can be highly competitive, with dozens, sometimes hundreds, of submissions, meaning a low win rate for any single designer.
  - Burnout: Constantly generating new concepts for multiple contests without a win can lead to frustration and burnout.
One-on-One Projects: These are direct engagements with clients who browse designer portfolios or invite specific designers to work with them.
* Guaranteed Payment: Designers are compensated for their work, often through milestone payments.
* Deeper Collaboration: Allows for more in-depth communication, feedback, and iterative design processes.
* Long-Term Relationships: Can lead to recurring work and stronger client relationships.
* Fairer Rates: Designers can set their own rates, often commanding higher fees than contest prizes.
* Client Acquisition: Requires designers to actively market themselves or rely on their contest wins and portfolio to attract direct work.
* Project Management: Designers are responsible for project scope, timelines, and client communication.

Building a Strong Profile and Portfolio

For designers, a compelling profile and portfolio are paramount to success on 99designs. Gnomonwatches.com Reviews

High-Quality Portfolio: Showcase your best, most diverse work. Include a variety of design categories logos, web, packaging, illustration.
Specialization: While diversity is good, consider specializing in a niche e.g., minimalist branding, complex UI/UX, character illustration to attract specific clients.
Client Testimonials: Feature positive reviews from satisfied clients to build trust and credibility.
Clear Bio: Clearly articulate your skills, experience, and design philosophy. Let your personality shine through.

Tips for Success on 99designs as a Designer

Choose Contests Wisely: Don’t enter every contest. Select those where your style aligns, the brief is clear, and the prize money is worthwhile.
Read the Brief Thoroughly: Before submitting, ensure you fully understand the client’s needs, target audience, and brand vision.
Provide Unique Concepts: Avoid generic or templated designs. Strive for originality and creative solutions.
Engage and Ask Questions: Participate in the contest discussion. Ask clarifying questions to the client. This shows professionalism and a commitment to the project.
Provide Timely Revisions: Respond promptly to client feedback and provide revisions efficiently.
Maintain Professionalism: Even if you don’t win, maintain a professional demeanor. Positive interactions can lead to future opportunities.
Learn and Adapt: Analyze winning designs and client feedback to continuously improve your skills and understanding of market demand.
Diversify Your Income: Don’t rely solely on 99designs. Combine it with other freelance platforms, direct client outreach, and personal marketing efforts.

While the contest model has its critics, 99designs can serve as a powerful launching pad for new designers and a consistent source of work for established professionals, particularly when leveraged alongside one-on-one projects.

99designs.com vs. Competitors

When a business needs design work, platforms like 99designs.com are just one of many options.

Understanding how it stacks up against its key competitors can help in making an informed decision.

99designs.com vs. Upwork

Feature	99designs.com	Upwork
Model	Primarily design contests. also 1-on-1 projects.	Open freelance marketplace for all creative services.
Talent Pool	Vetted graphic designers only.	Vetted freelancers across 1000s of categories design, writing, development, etc..
Pricing	Fixed prize money for contests. negotiated for 1-on-1.	Hourly or fixed-price, negotiated per project.
Speed	Rapid initial concepts days in contests.	Varies. depends on hiring speed and project complexity.
Control	Less direct control in contests. more in 1-on-1.	High control over hiring, vetting, and direct project management.
Risk Client	Low risk in contests money-back guarantee.	Moderate risk requires careful vetting and project management.
Best For	Clients needing many design options quickly contests. specific design projects 1-on-1.	Diverse, ongoing projects. complex tasks. clients who prefer to manage their freelancers.

99designs.com vs. Fiverr

99designs.com vs. Dedicated Design Agencies

Key Takeaways for Comparison

Cost vs. Quality vs. Control: Generally, 99designs offers a good balance for budget-conscious clients who want options. Dedicated agencies offer the highest quality and strategic depth at the highest cost. Freelance marketplaces like Upwork provide a wide range with varying quality, requiring more client management.
Project Complexity: For simple, standalone design needs like a logo or business card, 99designs’ contest model can be efficient. For complex, strategic projects requiring deep understanding of a brand’s long-term vision e.g., full brand strategy, complex UI/UX for an enterprise app, an agency or carefully selected one-on-one freelancer is usually superior.
Time Sensitivity: If you need a quick burst of creative ideas, 99designs’ contests are hard to beat for speed of initial concepts.
Designer Relationship: While 99designs facilitates one-on-one projects, platforms like Upwork might offer a more direct and ongoing relationship with a single freelancer from the outset, if that’s your preference.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on the specific needs of your project, your budget, and how much involvement you want in the design process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 99designs.com a legitimate website?

Yes, 99designs.com is a legitimate and well-established online platform that connects businesses with freelance graphic designers.

It has been operating for over a decade and has facilitated thousands of design projects globally.

How does 99designs.com work for clients?

For clients, 99designs.com primarily works in two ways:

Design Contests: You create a brief, designers submit concepts, you provide feedback, and then choose a winner.
One-on-One Projects: You browse designer portfolios and hire a specific designer for a direct project.

How much does 99designs.com cost?

The cost on 99designs.com varies. Kissdental.co.uk Reviews

For design contests, prices typically start from US$299 for a basic logo design contest and go up for higher tiers or more complex design categories like website design which can range from US$599 to over US$1,500. For one-on-one projects, pricing is negotiated directly with the designer based on their rates and the project’s scope.

Can I get a refund on 99designs.com?

Yes, 99designs.com offers a money-back guarantee for design contests under certain conditions.

Generally, you can get a refund if you haven’t chosen a winner, haven’t moved to the final round, haven’t guaranteed the contest prize, and request it within 60 days of launching the contest.

Refunds for one-on-one projects depend on milestone completion and dispute resolution.

What types of design services does 99designs.com offer?

99designs.com offers a wide range of design services, including: Iamyourguide.se Reviews

Logo & branding design
Website & app design
Business & advertising design e.g., flyers, brochures
Packaging & label design
Book cover design
Clothing & merchandise design
Art & illustration

Is 99designs.com good for small businesses?

Yes, 99designs.com can be particularly good for small businesses and startups.

Its contest model allows them to get multiple design options quickly and often at a predictable, fixed price, which is beneficial when exploring branding ideas without a huge budget for a traditional agency.

How long does a design contest take on 99designs.com?

A typical design contest on 99designs.com usually runs for 7 days.

However, clients can choose to extend the contest duration or run a “fast track” contest for quicker results.

Initial concepts often start coming in within 24-48 hours of launching the contest. Finesmile.dk Reviews

What are the file formats I receive from 99designs.com?

When you choose a winning design, you typically receive all standard industry-standard file formats, including editable vector files like AI, EPS for scalability, print-ready files like PDF, and web-ready files like JPG, PNG, SVG. The exact formats depend on the design category and agreement.

Do I own the copyright of the design I choose on 99designs.com?

Yes, upon choosing a winning design and releasing the prize money, full intellectual property rights and copyright for the design are transferred to you, the client.

Can I work with the same designer again on 99designs.com?

Yes, if you have a positive experience with a designer on 99designs.com, you can directly invite them to work on future one-on-one projects.

This allows for building long-term relationships with preferred designers.

How do I provide feedback to designers on 99designs.com?

You provide feedback directly through your contest or project dashboard. Atomicwallet.io Reviews

99designs.com offers tools to rate designs, comment specifically on elements, and communicate privately with designers to guide their revisions.

Is 99designs.com suitable for complex web design projects?

For highly complex web design projects requiring extensive user experience UX research, intricate user interface UI design, and strategic planning, 99designs.com’s contest model might be less ideal.

Its one-on-one project option could work better if you find a highly skilled UX/UI designer, but often dedicated agencies or specialized freelancers excel at these types of projects.

What if I don’t like any of the designs in my contest?

If you’re not satisfied with any of the submissions in your design contest, you can typically request a refund, provided you meet the conditions of their money-back guarantee e.g., not having chosen a winner or guaranteed the contest.

Are the designers on 99designs.com professional?

99designs.com states that its designers are “vetted creative experts.” While the platform aims to maintain a high standard, the level of professionalism and skill can still vary among individual designers.

Reviewing designer portfolios and client ratings is crucial.

Can I make my design contest private?

Yes, you can make your design contest private on 99designs.com, meaning only registered designers can view and participate in it.

This feature usually comes with an additional cost.

What is the “Free Logomaker” on 99designs.com?

The “Free Logomaker” is a tool provided by 99designs.com that allows users to create basic logo designs quickly and for free using templates and simple customization options.

It’s often used as a starting point or for very simple needs, distinct from their paid design contests or one-on-one projects.

How does 99designs.com ensure quality?

99designs.com attempts to ensure quality by vetting designers, providing clear guidelines, and offering a rating and ranking system for clients to assess submissions.

Ultimately, client feedback and the contest model encourage designers to submit high-quality work to win.

Can I collaborate with multiple designers on 99designs.com?

In a design contest, you inherently collaborate with multiple designers as they all submit concepts.

In a one-on-one project, you typically work with a single chosen designer, but you can always launch new projects with different designers if needed.

Is 99designs.com good for building a brand identity beyond a logo?

Yes, 99designs.com offers services for full brand identity packages that go beyond just a logo, including brand guides, business card design, social media kits, and more.

This allows for a more comprehensive branding solution.

How do designers get paid on 99designs.com?

In design contests, the winning designer receives the prize money specified for the contest.

For one-on-one projects, designers are paid directly by the client through 99designs’ secure payment system, often based on agreed-upon milestones or project completion.

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