Discussion: How to improve contests

**ghiavolu** · 03:36 AM

It`s complicated stuff angele with that contest. The way i see it, a contest holder, a man who deals with other stuff not design/internet, can`t have that much info about template monsters, etc.
But if it`s someone just looking for ideas, he could do it himself. Weird.Btw, watermarks are useless, because if someone looks only for an idea, he can recreate everything. About the escrow system, i was referring to moneybookers

I could trust however a mod keeping the money until contest is over, that would be another kind of escrow. But i don`t think anyone would agree to take that responsability.
P.S. - i would take the responsability (and run hahahhaha)

**woosh** · 03-28-2007, 07:34 AM

One thing is some of these contests have no finish date and the designers put alot of time making changes etc with nothing back from the CH, maybe if the correct guidelines are not followed then the contest is suspended until the details are updated, it may cause a little frustration but it saves our butts, seriously how hard is it to put in a finish date????? There's alot of unfinished comps atm with very little feedback

**xpressions** · 03-28-2007, 08:35 AM

What if there was a page that pops up/redirects the contest holders (MUST see BEFORE starting a contest) with ALL the rules/guidelines, whatever you call it, and a tick mark they must select indicating they read and understood the rules (whatever the rules may be)? Maybe the following page is a template they fill out with all the details of the project which they must fill out and that's the opening entry of their thread? Of course, this still doesn't prevent abandonement, which is another issue.

**angele803** · 03-28-2007, 04:26 PM

I will see if we can make it a rule that a CH MUST post an end date. We actually talked about this before.
Xpressions - it is funny that you say that, because in the staff forum we were talking about this. I think we are going to try to implement this. Even though a CH might not read the rules, at least they will pop up right in front of them.

**Republikin** · 03-28-2007, 04:37 PM

I agree that CH's not following the rules (or especially not using the suggested template) makes it very difficult for the designers. As designers a very large part of this community is in your hands and how it operates can easily be manipulated by you.

To this end, we are going to be having a contest starting on April 1st with substantial prizes being donated by the staff. The purpose of this contest (aside from having fun) is to encourage you guys to help us enforce the rules and suggestions that make things operate much smoother. If a CH blatantly breaks the rules, please report the post so that angele803 and I are aware it exists also, if a CH doesn't use the listing template and gives too few details, kindly remind them to read the rules and let them know that designers here prefer contests that use the listing template and provide more thorough information.

Anyways, no more details than that on the contest... I hope I've wet all your appetites, it's going to be very fun and challenging.

**Captor of Sin** · 03-28-2007, 11:07 PM

Sounds great!

**woosh** · 03-29-2007, 07:48 PM

ooo now this sounds kewl

**Tropica** · 03-30-2007, 03:28 PM

i think alot of comps are happening and being won through private messaging, probably cheaper then the comp price on the board, maybe disable the comp holders PM rights for the duration of his/her comp? Although the comp end date would have to come into force to make that work, I dunno too far maybe? It could work

Whats the comp on 1st april? ahhh somekind of tomfoolery i bet

**blake** · 03-30-2007, 03:40 PM

I can't imagine anyone going cheaper. Maybe someone is offering more options through IM, but cheaper would put most of these well below minimum wage.

On another note, why not suggest minimums for certain projects, or at least guidelines.

Also, what about sub categories for contest. Something like Charities/Non-Profits, Religious, Personal, Small Business, etc.

I might be inclined to do a logo for Non-profit, religious or maybe even personal project, but I am not at all interested in doing a logo for $30 for a business. Anyone else feel the same?

**Tropica** · 03-30-2007, 03:48 PM

people will go cheaper just for the definite prize.

Alot of people don't do this for a living, you couldn't possible make enough doing this, its a hobby for most, and most just like the challenge of it, i think sub-categories will just confuse, and certain sections will look empty, giving the a message of a ghost town to potential CH's

**blake** · 03-30-2007, 04:02 PM

Makes sense.

I think my overly developed sense of justice just wants to see the standards raised to keep designers, even hobbyists, from being exploited.

**Tropica** · 03-30-2007, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blake

Makes sense.

I think my overly developed sense of justice just wants to see the standards raised to keep designers, even hobbyists, from being exploited.

I couldn't agree more, i hate to see people work so hard for nothing, even if you don't win its nice to know a contest had ended with someone winning at least!

**Kiz** · 03-30-2007, 04:41 PM

well i dont know like i think these contests are just like stupid because the starter of the contest should ask for top designers only like they should add a ranking for designers top level medium lever and rookie levels because they have alot of noobs going into a contest and just posting CRAPPY designs and its just Absolutely Ridiculous they should have like ranks or something for designers and have people ask for what rank of designer are they looking for because its funny we got noobs coming in here traying to make some money and its ok because they are learning and practicing but ive seen about 6 designs already that have been ripped or theres something familiar about it with designs in deviantart and i dont know what to do either expose them or just keep quiet and yeh somebody should talk to the admins about the designers RANK.

**Tropica** · 03-30-2007, 04:47 PM

expose away, there has been lots of recent "copying" issues

**woosh** · 03-30-2007, 06:07 PM

If you see someones work that is not their own pm a mod and send them a link to the original the entry will be removed, as for ranking designers?, this place is open to all we all had to start somewhere didn't you???? How would have felt with those comments???? At the end of the day if you want to join in here go for it but don't insult people everybody has to make a start somewhere

**angele803** · 03-30-2007, 08:27 PM

- If you know someone is PMing their entries, please contact me or Republikin. This is against the rules and is not fair.

- We talked about design categories before, but decided against it. It might be nice if CHs let us know what type of design it is. Like if it is for charity or religious purposes. Most CHs are good about doing this though.

-We had a big discussion a few months ago about pricing and setting guidelines. No one could agree and the opinions on what was a fair price for something were very different. We decided not to make guidlines and hope the market would work itself out.

- I dont think ranking designers would be very good. Who would be the judge on who's who? I dont think it would be fair. We are open to all members and people should be allowed to enter contests and practice their design skills. We all had to start somewhere. If you enter something that isnt very high quality, you can probably expect to not win, but you should be free to enter if you want.

- If you notice something that looks like someone is copying, please contact Republikin or me. We take these copying situations case by case, but we do take them very seriously. Sometimes it is very difficult to determine if someone is copying or if the concept is a common one. If you are suspicious of anything, please feel free to contact a mod.

-Thanks for all the healthy discussion

P.S. I cant wait until our forum contest starts! It is going to be really unique and fun....and there are some sweeeeeet prizes! You guys are going to love it!

**ghiavolu** · 03-31-2007, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woosh

If you see someones work that is not their own pm a mod and send them a link to the original the entry will be removed, as for ranking designers?, this place is open to all we all had to start somewhere didn't you???? How would have felt with those comments???? At the end of the day if you want to join in here go for it but don't insult people everybody has to make a start somewhere

Agree about rankings. I`ve seen here several newbies with better designs than more experienced designers. I`ve seen funny designs too. But people have to start somewhere. And i think this is the best place to start. For something professional, there`s Sitepoint.
I DON`t WANT RANKINGS! People who want rankings, i dare you to say here what level designer do you consider yourself ?

**Tropica** · 03-31-2007, 05:23 AM

i agree with ghiavolu, rankings wont work, but contest holders know who is a good honest designer by their work, and the itrader and talkupation they have

**woosh** · 04-07-2007, 09:25 PM

Can the mods add filetypes required as part of the guidelines??? Nor everyone uses photoshop and some CH's may require actual vectors