Why designers should stop moaning about 99designs.com

StartupBritain.org is a government initiative to encourage start-ups in Britain and they just unleashed a shit storm - They recommended budding entrepreneurs use 99designs.com.

And just like the record companies, cab companies and all other industries disrupted abruptly by the wrath of the Internet before them, designers are moaning.

Whatever your opinion on spec-work that horse has been beaten, this is a free market, 99designs.com is here to stay.

Those starting a business generally have very little money, the little they might have is precious and at the same time their knowledge and experience in design is usually very limited.

99designs.com, for them, is the perfect situation in providing design quickly, designs that are usually far superior to that produced at the local print shop, who happen to also offer design services.

To the majority of small business owners 99designs.com results in good design, and that’s all that matters. Whether you’re a freelance designer and you disagree is irrelevant, unless you can employ yourself.

To tackle this, designers must continue communicating that truly good design involves far more than aesthetics.

Those moaning about 99designs because it’s stealing their business need to expand their offering. 99designs.com does not result in well-designed businesses/products/services/brands because it focuses purely on the visual. ‘Spec-work is unfair’ is not a valid argument, those losing out on business to 99designs must offer more than graphics.

If you’re working with startups designers need to be all-rounders and wear many hats.

Communication, visual, UX, copy, UI, industrial design and print.

They must help these new business owners identify their users, solve their problem and craft an experience. Ironically, just like 99designs.com have done.