Designer Preferance Question/Poll

[designmarket]

I thought asking some questions would help contest holders and potential resellers to find out more about the Outpost community and what individual designers think.

I am sitting on a few projects and am not sure from my observations where to post them :)

Please participate in the poll and add your comments, feelings and reasons in this thread.

thanks :wee:

[Juvanescence]

I know it may sound stupid but it easy to miss the reseller forums if you are quickly browsing through.

Iv been particularly busy the past month so havent been entering many/any contests. If I was entering then it wouldnt matter where the contests were. If they interested me, I would try just as hard for a $75 one as I would a $150 one.

[designmarket]

That's a great answer j-design and what I would expect of the callibre of the designers here.
but it easy to miss the reseller forums
If what I thought!

Let's hear from others...

[Palmer]

<!--QuoteBegin-j-design+Oct 15 2003, 11:42 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (j-design @ Oct 15 2003, 11:42 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I know it may sound stupid but it easy to miss the reseller forums if you are quickly browsing through. [/b][/quote]
If that's the case then I will make the public contests harder to see. Personally I think that statement is ridiculous. The reseller forums are just as easy to see as the public forums, you just need to look in them. How hard is that?

[designmarket]

Palmer I disagree.. I think they really are harder to see depending on how one is viewing the forums (last posted, forum list etc etc.) because they are not as active is all :)

To me it is much fun to view the goings on in the public forums.. but that is because more is happening (as in more threads)...

[Palmer]

Well I need to make some changes then. Due to the higher prize amount and the membership fee, the reseller forum should be the top priority for every person on the Design Team. If that's not the case then there is something seriously flawed with the way it's set up.

Maybe the public forum should be a sub-forum of the reseller one. The last thing I want is our repeat customers getting less than the ones who just try us once.

[designmarket]

Ah.. but that is why I am asking the *designers* they are very special peoples and not always of a mind of the more technical or pedantic or $ driven folks..

so.. with your permission I would love to here some more votes..

We need to know if there is a usability issue with the forum stucture or a mind flow thing happening .. OK?

It's so important in a creative atmosphere to make things easy for the creatives (in my opinion of course).

[Palmer]

Ah.. but that is why I am asking the *designers* they are very special peoples and not always of a mind of the more technical or pedantic or $ driven folks...
You don't consider me a designer? :crying: :D

[designmarket]

You are a great designer :) and have many talents .. I also am a designer of sorts... but it is besides the question, just trying to make for clear communication..

most certainly not trying to knock you, or your forums, I think it is all wonderful! I am just trying to get where and how I need to post my next requests by trying to gather info on the public/resller aspect of the forums from your's and the designers' point of view..
:wub:

[designmarket]

hehehe.. adding.. I also look forward to the day I declare YOU palmer the winner.. just so I can check out your coding :tup:

[Juvanescence]

Just thinking aloud.. but what if all reseller contests were emailed to the designers?

[designmarket]

that sounds good but would designers be happy with that or would they *screen* it out as so much noise in their space?

[Raja]

Maybe just change the colour of the headings or something. Like a bright red.

[designmarket]

Can we add another couple of poll question on this?

They would be:

I don't know about or have difficulty in locating the reseller forum

What is the reseller forum?

Also: space for "other".

[designmarket]

Maybe part of my problem is that I don't know if I post a logo request for illustration if the designers skilled in illustration will find me, because I don't see a past.. for it. :)

My feeling is - if I post a competition I would like all designers to
1) be able to find it
2) do their best
3) have fun

Am I on the right track? The question I am asking is this -
should I post a request for detailed illustration in reseller or will it be better in the main forum :)

[Palmer]

I think they'll find it wherever you put it but if you're worried, just post it in the miscellaneous forum. I know, I know, you didn't want my opinion :mellow:

[designmarket]

:no: your opinion is most valued - thanks!

[designmarket]

Thanks very much to all the designers that voted here.. it is very encouraging :tup:

[hotnuts21]

Some good points raised here.

Maybe moving the Reseller forum to the top of the list, as only the designers and resellers see it anyway? That way any new posts will be picked up by the "New post" sign!

The emailing idea was quite good too, but the designers might get annoyed at getting emailed, maybe an opt in list for the designers who want to know when a new contest is posted in the reseller area?

Also are there any plans to add an elements section to the resellers section?

[designmarket]

I have small jobs and jobs that fit outside of "templates" & "logos" as well, so a miscellaneous re-seller forum for "stuff" would be good, with no price set as a minimum to cater for the different tasks needed.

[Palmer]

Sure, I can add a new forum called elements. I'll do that soon.

This is a question to the designers and the resellers. Do you think the reseller forum would be more noticeable if it was listed above the regular contest forum right below the announcements forum?

[designmarket]

I am too new and inexperienced with DO to really know for sure, but it is my feeling it should perhaps move to the top, it's not going to affect the public view so I don't see the harm.

My gut feeling is that designers just really don't notice it as much.. I posted my 2nd logo contest in the main public forum to test the waters and I am seeing a quicker response & variety of entries.. but you see, I only have had 2 logo & 2 template so it is not enough of a crossection for me to have a hard opinion.

[hotnuts21]

Do you think the reseller forum would be more noticeable if it was listed above the regular contest forum right below the announcements forum?

Yes, I sometimes scroll past it when im looking at the new posts signboard icon and then wonder to myself if I am logged out or if I have missed the forum which I usually have :D Dunno why as you pointed out there all the same but sometimes when you are scrolling through you just miss it, or at least I do!

I know I know Im stoopid!

[Michael]

<!--QuoteBegin-Palmer+Oct 20 2003, 04:02 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Palmer @ Oct 20 2003, 04:02 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> This is a question to the designers and the resellers. Do you think the reseller forum would be more noticeable if it was listed above the regular contest forum right below the announcements forum? [/b][/quote]
How about Raga's suggestion about changing the colour of the header, maybe to the dark green used in the DO logo or a darker shade then it is..is it possible to just change the skin colour of one forum without all changing?

[Palmer]

How about Raja's suggestion about changing the colour of the header, maybe to the dark green used in the DO logo or a darker shade then it is
I'm not able to do that without some tricky editing to the style sheet and the code for the forum.

[hotnuts21]

Try this palmer,

go to in your admincp. Forum Control>>Manage Forums. And then next to the forum you will see a pen type icon in the middle of the 3 icons. That is the per forum skin changer.

Select the Invision Default skin or modify that skin to be all red, that should do the trick ;)

If that doesnt work Try this, not quite what has been suggested but might help. Not sure if its member wide or just for the person who switches it on.

http://mods.ibplanet.com/db/?mod=1883

HTH

[Palmer]

Thanks, I'll look in to that.

[elements]

Personally, I prefer the Reseller Contests as they pay more.
I'll only enter though if it interests me, just as I do with the regular contests.
If I did find 2 contests that I liked, 1 in the reseller section and 1 in the regular one, and I only had time for one, I'd more than likely choose the reseller contest.

On another note, how could someone have a hard time finding the Reseller Contest area? It's right under the main contest area. Is it true that some people, no matter how important the content just can't bare to scroll down past a page length?

Or it's possible that team members aren't auto-logged in when they come to the forum, so all they see is the normal contest area. They check it, and if anything interests them, they login and post. Maybe without going back to the main forum page, in which they are unable to see the premium forum area.

I think the best solution would be optional email alert of new reseller contests.
It seems there aren't really many reseller contests active, so 3-5 emails a month doesn't sound too bad to me.

Just my $0.02 :blink:

[hotnuts21]

Yeah I think the email is a good thing.

If you click on the page icon with the blue square background,(topic options) on the left of the screen under each topic/forum whatever.
There is the option to subscribe to forum, each time a new topic is posted you will be emailed, maybe suggest to the design crew to sign upto this option, I do it to check out the competition ;)

[ElKootcho]

<!--QuoteBegin-j-design+Oct 15 2003, 10:31 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (j-design @ Oct 15 2003, 10:31 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Just thinking aloud.. but what if all reseller contests were emailed to the designers? [/b][/quote]
I'd personally find that rather annoying. I see the contests and it usually comes down to simply a time issue for me.

[Eagle]

^ Agrees :)

[ElKootcho]

<!--QuoteBegin-j-design+Oct 15 2003, 07:42 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (j-design @ Oct 15 2003, 07:42 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> ..., I would try just as hard for a $75 one as I would a $150 one. [/b][/quote]
Not me. Time is money and most of my decisions are based on 2 things: prize amount and chances of winning. I'll enter some lower paying contests because I feel I have a good, solid idea and therefore a decent shot at taking the prize without spending too much of my severely lacking time. Conversely, I'm sometimes willing to put in more effort to find a good, workable solution if the prize is high enough.

I know many of the designers here get caught up in the "competition" aspect and will spend many, many hours simply to win, regardless of the prize. For myself, and some others, I prefer to do the math: Prize Amount / Hours Spent = Hourly Wage. Graphic Design is my fulltime occupation and has been for several years. I have spent countless unpaid hours attending school, taking seminars, reading books, and learning programs to hone my skills, just like any other professional career. So I'm therefore not always willing to simply give it away.

While I enjoy designing and love adding quality pieces to my portfolio, I am constantly battling to achieve a balance between career and personal life. There have been many, many times that I've spent way too many hours working and not enough on the things that really matter in life.

That being said, I have, on many occaisions, entered competitions for other reasons: it's a worthy cause, it's not getting enough attention by the other designers, or it's just plain fun.

Unfortunately there is no simple formula to determine what will foster entries in a particular contest. One thing that I think really helps get more entries is client feedback: 1> Respectful comments on every entry. Designers are largely a sensitive bunch. Bash someone's work and you'll likely get no more entries from them and possibly others. Nobody wants to work with someone that appears rude or has a lack of respect for our talents and hard-earned skills. If you don't like a particular entry, let us down gently. 2> Don't say you "love" a design. That also cuts down on entries. 3> Post comments daily if possible. How can we be interested in your contest if you don't seem to be? 4> If all else fails: money talks. :D

[Palmer]

<!--QuoteBegin-hotnuts21+Oct 20 2003, 01:51 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (hotnuts21 @ Oct 20 2003, 01:51 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Try this palmer,

go to in your admincp. Forum Control>>Manage Forums. And then next to the forum you will see a pen type icon in the middle of the 3 icons. That is the per forum skin changer.

Select the Invision Default skin or modify that skin to be all red, that should do the trick ;) [/b][/quote]
That sort of worked but looked bad. I'll look in to the mod you linked me to.

[Eagle]

*
Again, couldn't agree more with Kootch's comments...

One thing most likely to get my back up is being ignored. I've often had a 'corker' just waiting to be posted but a previous entry was ignored. Result?...Endex.

Feedback, whether it's positive or negative, is far and away the most important thing we need... B)

[hotnuts21]

Well I think this could work 2 ways especially with the resellers, I hope the designers think that we are usually pretty quick and fair with our comments. If you dont think our answers are good enough, fast enough or dont inspire you to enter let us know too.

For most of us this way of getting work done is pretty new and so we are on a learning curve too, its in our best interests to make sure all the designers are kept happy after all we want to get the best of you guys. If we are only getting 1 or 2 entries per comp it might not be worth us using the service, so we want to keep you eager adn keen to enter our comps.

:)

now go and enter my latest competitions :lol: :tup:

[designmarket]

For most of us this way of getting work done is pretty new and so we are on a learning curve too, its in our best interests to make sure all the designers are kept happy after all we want to get the best of you guys.

Absolutely! It is a whole new game to me.. if we are getting the communication/feedback thing or anything else wrong, do let us know.

Thanks for putting forward your thoughts, designers, it helps!

[jonmulk]

<!--QuoteBegin-ElKootcho+Oct 20 2003, 02:09 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (ElKootcho @ Oct 20 2003, 02:09 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Not me. Time is money and most of my decisions are based on 2 things: prize amount and chances of winning. I'll enter some lower paying contests because I feel I have a good, solid idea and therefore a decent shot at taking the prize without spending too much of my severely lacking time. Conversely, I'm sometimes willing to put in more effort to find a good, workable solution if the prize is high enough.

I know many of the designers here get caught up in the "competition" aspect and will spend many, many hours simply to win, regardless of the prize. For myself, and some others, I prefer to do the math: Prize Amount / Hours Spent = Hourly Wage. Graphic Design is my fulltime occupation and has been for several years. I have spent countless unpaid hours attending school, taking seminars, reading books, and learning programs to hone my skills, just like any other professional career. So I'm therefore not always willing to simply give it away.

While I enjoy designing and love adding quality pieces to my portfolio, I am constantly battling to achieve a balance between career and personal life. There have been many, many times that I've spent way too many hours working and not enough on the things that really matter in life.

That being said, I have, on many occaisions, entered competitions for other reasons: it's a worthy cause, it's not getting enough attention by the other designers, or it's just plain fun.

Unfortunately there is no simple formula to determine what will foster entries in a particular contest. One thing that I think really helps get more entries is client feedback: 1> Respectful comments on every entry. Designers are largely a sensitive bunch. Bash someone's work and you'll likely get no more entries from them and possibly others. Nobody wants to work with someone that appears rude or has a lack of respect for our talents and hard-earned skills. If you don't like a particular entry, let us down gently. 2> Don't say you "love" a design. That also cuts down on entries. 3> Post comments daily if possible. How can we be interested in your contest if you don't seem to be? 4> If all else fails: money talks. :D [/b][/quote]
Kootch :tup: great post! Especially the parts I've emboldened.:notworthy:


Let's just hope more contest holders get a chance to read this.... ;)