99Designs: An Honest Review From a Non-Designer

99Designs is one of the go-to graphic design services online. It’s a platform full of professional designers that will make branding easier for you. Here’s an honest 99Designs review of the service from a non-designer. 

99Designs: Overview

99Designs is a graphic design service that helps clients connect with various web and graphic designers worldwide. The platform offers the following design services: 

• Logos
• Websites
• Stationary
• Business Cards
• Postcards 
• Posters
• Clothing
• Brochures

How Does it Work

#1 Brief Your Requirements

First, you need to create a simple design brief to help graphic designers visualize your requirements. 

#2 Connect with a Designer

Second, you need to choose how you’ll connect with a designer. In 99Designs, you have two options: 

• Work Directly

You can choose to work with a graphic designer directly. 99Designs will help you find the designer that matches your preferred design style. This option allows you to review the portfolio and request the designer’s quotes. 

• Start a Contest 

For this option, you’ll open your design brief to the 99Designs community. After that, designers will submit ideas to you, providing you multiple styles to choose from.

#3 Collaborate

Lastly, after choosing your preferred design process, you’ll collaborate with your graphic designer. Once satisfied with the output, you can release the payment securely to the designer. Take note that all copyright and ownership entirely belongs to you. 

99Designs Review: The Pros and Cons

Pros of 99Designs

• Built-in design process 

It guides the non-designers to organize their design requirements. The platform provides questions that help clients define their requirements to help designers visualize what is needed. So if you also have a hard time translating the creative path you want your designer to take, 99Designs’ platform will help. 

• 100% Money-back warranty

99Designs offers a 100% guarantee within 60 days of payment. The warranty is available for all types of contests. However, it does not apply to contests with a guaranteed prize. When we say “guaranteed prize,” it means that the contest already proceeded to the final round. 

• Estimated quantity of submissions

As you pick a package for your design requirement, 99Designs will provide an estimated quantity based on the budget. Each bid will have a fixed amount of price. So, it’s safe to say there are no hidden fees. 

• Large Marketplace

99Designs is one of the best graphic design services on the internet. Its popularity is evident by the number of bids a client receives on a single project. Although it’s a disadvantage for the designers, as the client, you have more gains. 

Cons of 99Designs

• Limited Options

As you scroll through several design proposals for your contest, you can’t research more about the designers. It’s impossible to dig deeper about the designer’s portfolio, resume or feedback from previous customers. 

• Misleading Pricing

According to 99Designs, “you can set your price.” However, there are minimum prices for each design category. Although the minimum fee is reasonable, the claim of setting your rate as a client is somewhat misleading. 

• Newbie Designers

There are a handful of people who believe newbie designers often join design contests. For some, this claim is valid, but seniority is not an issue as long as they produce quality works.  

• Unpaid Efforts

This is the advantage for designers when joining contests. Of course, designers are aware of this downside. However, they often take it as a learning experience. 

99Designs Review: Monthly Plans

The following are the fixed pricing for contest packages. Using the contest option in 99Designs, you’ll receive creative concepts from multiple designers around the world. 

Logo Design 

• Bronze, 30 designs at $299
• Silver, 60 designs at $499
• Gold, 90 designs at $899
• Platinum, 60 designs at $1,299 (Top-level designer entry requirement) 

Web Page Design 

• Bronze, 15 designs at $599
• Silver, 25 designs at $899
• Gold, 35 designs at $1,599
• Platinum, 25 designs at $2,499 (Top-level designer entry requirement) 

Other Pricing Includes: 

• 3D
• Album cover
• App design
• Banner ad
• Book cover
• Business card
• Car, truck, or van wrap
• Character or mascot
• Landing page design
• Merchandise design
• Graphic illustrations 
• Other Branding assets

Maximizing Your Experience with 99Designs

Here are several expert tips to help you utilize 99Designs effectively:

• Define Your Vision Clearly: Begin with a comprehensive and clear design brief. The more details you provide about your vision, the better designers can align with your expectations.
• Choose the Right Engagement Model: Decide whether direct collaboration with a designer or launching a contest fits your project better. Each has its benefits, with direct hires offering personalized engagement and contests providing diverse creative options.
• Engage Actively with Designers: Whether you opt for a direct hire or a contest, actively engaging with the designers is crucial. Provide feedback promptly to refine designs closer to your vision.

Final Note

In the end, this 99Designs review proved that the platform is one of the best graphic design services on the internet. If you’re still contemplating if you need their service, you can explore the 99Designs website. However, if you’re searching for a design service that’s perfect for non-design, 99Designs is worth considering.