elance.com + 99designs.com – I have been reading a lot about spec work recently. This post from Chris Brogan got me up to speed. Spec work is when an individual/company asks a community of designers for work, lets say a logo. 50 designers submit 50 logos and one gets picked as the best and gets paid. Designers are upset because it devalues the work that should go into building relationships, learning about the company, and getting paid for time spent on concepting and creating the work. On the other hand, people that are looking for cheap, quick, and quality (to them because they might not know the difference) designs say that these sites are great.
It’s actually kind of funny to see the design community up in arms about these cheap design factories. My take on the subject is that if the designers are really great thinkers and have great ideas, they should have no trouble finding work and getting paid adequately. After all, a little competition mixed with a lot of desperation should breed some amazing work!
builditwith.me - I came across this site that pairs app developers (web, iPhone, etc.) with idea creators. This kind of site excites me because I think one of my greatest strengths is the creative process. I would love to find more sites like this and I can’t wait to get my first app idea on the site! Currently, I have been posting my ideas on brazencareerist.com.
21 Rules for Social Media Engagement – I always find myself quickly skimming posts like this one making sure that I haven’t horribly missed something. Every once in a while I will see something that gives me an idea for a Facebook or Twitter post. “19. Un-campaign and create ongoing programs that keep you connected to day-to-day engagement.” Now I have an all new industry term to learn! (Here’s me googling un-campaign… Now here’s me wondering how to get around google thinking I’m talking about U.N. campaigns. Hmm.)
Web Design Trends 2010: Real-Life Metaphors and CSS3 Adaptation – I love geeking out on web design, especially while I am looking to build up my portfolio site. This article has a TON of great trend examples that are pretty obscure compared to most posts of the same topic. Kudos to Smashing Magazine for staying classy.. And for the great observations!
