crowdSPRING

crowdSPRING is a freelance marketplace for graphic design, web design, and logo creation services.  While other freelance sites try and be everything to everyone, Chicago-based crowdSPRING focuses on these creative niches.  The company was founded in 2008, and has attracted a userbase numbering in the tens of thousands from all over the world.

The way it works is you post a description of the work you need done, and talented designers submit their ideas.  On average, projects receive over 100 submissions so you’re sure to get a range of designs to choose from and find one that fits your vision.

Designers on crowdSPRING have created graphics for a wide range of applications, including company logos, business cards, stationary, product packaging, marketing materials, t-shirts, banner ads, you name it.

Essentially it’s a winner-take-all design contest you’re sponsoring for a fixed fee.  Once you’ve picked the winner, the designer gets paid and you’re covered by crowdSPRING’s money-back guarantee.

Special Offer: Get $20 off your crowdSPRING contest and a free Promo feature ($49 value) through this link! Valid thru 12/31/12.

Posting a contest on the site would be an alternative to hiring a graphic designer locally or bringing on a part-time virtual employee for design work.

If I were a designer, the 100+ submissions would be a major turnoff – a lot of talented people are putting in the time for a less than 1% chance of getting paid.  But hey as a business owner looking to source some great design work, it’s a great set-up.

One way crowdSPRING differentiates itself from other sites like oDesk is they set a “floor price” for each type of project.  For example, logo design starts at $269; web design from $729.  You can raise your price to (in theory) attract higher quality creatives.  This eliminates the race-to-the-bottom bidding system you might find elsewhere, and lets you view the work before forking over the cash.

crowdSPRING also works as a marketplace for writing services as well. These projects might include article writing, business naming, resume/cover letter writing, technical writing, and others.  crowdSPRING writing projects all start at $269, but for some of the examples given it’s not entirely clear what your deliverables would be.  For that reason, I might stick with oDesk or Elance for writing projects.

Have you worked with crowdSPRING? If so, please leave a quick review of your experience below.