Seems like quite an old post but interesting debate & thus I 1 2 add in my 2cents too.
- I named mycroburst supporter (MBS); Anti-(A-MB) & co-founder (MB)
1st of all, for Hermes Monster (MBS) when u started this thread, u seek opinions fro all but yet u became argumentative wen most doesn't sing with u. We all come fro diff BG; diff countries; newbies or experienced but coming tgt here, I believed all of us wanted to learn fro each other or give the best advices (be it historical detours, hicups & experiences). What I believed is to always learn/listen humbly, whether u use it or not is up to ur own discretion.
Every designer is unique (stubborn too), who believe they r right(at all times) & that is exactly what makes us special. The creators & not followers....We tell the clients what is best for them based on the researches we did, experiences (market/public response) & stick with our own principals though we try to customize as much as clients need but......still u r the designer & not the client, pls dun get dictated fro how it goes endpoint. Anyway we have all diff standpoints.
MBS: Understand their concerns as they take it as a platform to start, to experiment & challenge themselves. As always, it is ur self worth. If you feel that putting in 60hrs for a $50 job, u felt good cos u learn sth along the way & u felt satisfied with urself, the design & $, so stick with what makes u feel is right cos is ur time & not others. So what if u have to design 100 to get the basic 20designs pay-out of a free-lancer charges, so long as u deem is worth it. When u design more than 2000 & think is time to up ur worth, then u can always change, no obligations. (Btw, isn't it frustrating if an engineering student came up & said to u: Hey, i started learning illustrator recently, i think i can design now, might b just as good as u).
A-MB: Yes it is totally frustrating & de-value us somehow or rather. (I'm totally with ur, *wink*) Juz like there's always ppl who buy authentic Gucci & others who buy fake & claim classy (ppl here meant customers). So there are still co & also clients that will appreciate the quality work, the effort & details that we put in. But thinking of the new designers, is scary to face the market with or without mentors. Ur know how demanding clients can be.....& for them without proper channels (contacts), how to market themselves without exisitng clientele. Still must eat or pay bills, so i reckon no choice. Without the extensive portfolio that most have here, is difficult to even get referrals, let alone be known.
MB: FOR marketing perspectives, it is definitely good! Cos u r looking at the customers' perspectives when they have more choices & doesn't have to pay more for revisions. But u cannot claim that it is for the benefits of the designers. Cos u have never come in as the angle for designers but you need them. Without them, the sites can't survive. Yes it will be there to stay & I might also design when I'm bored or desperate, u r not wrong either as all these are consenting designers. And if you do want to fight for a balance (as u claim) now or future, for both designers & clients, what is ur directions? Clients perspective mostly or? Basic for designers - give up their full copy rights on logo(as stated in website), can they even publish as their work in their portfolio?
Last but not least, for newbies like me, the exposure is out there, how u seek exposure is how u market urself. The internet makes it so easy nowadays with twitter, behance, AIGA etc.... dun compromise too much bcos of the GIANT out there, ur vision & passion is what led u to continue, grow on it.
*i'm forever & will always be a newbie cos everyday, there is sth new to learn fro someone, something or somewhere* (sometimes I think I might b more of a writer than designer.....
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