Elevate your brand effortlessly with 99designs, the one-stop solution for all your design needs. From its unique design contests that bring a plethora of creative ideas straight to your inbox, to its vetted community of global designers ready for one-on-one projects, 99designs offers unparalleled flexibility and quality. Add in a full copyright ownership, and you’ve got a foolproof way to transform your visual identity !
Unlock the secret to stunning visual designs with 99designs, the global creative platform that’s revolutionizing the way businesses and designers collaborate.
Whether you’re a startup in need of a logo or an established brand seeking a fresh look, 99designs offers a unique blend of design contests and one-on-one projects to deliver tailor-made solutions.
Dive into this comprehensive guide to discover how 99designs can elevate your brand’s visual identity, streamline your design process, and connect you with a world of creative talent.
Read further to learn more about 99designs, in our review we will detail its features, pros and cons with our rating, and a conclusion about why you should use it.
Click on “open” if you want to see exactly what we will talk about in the rest of this article.
99designs is a global creative platform specializing in custom graphic design across various categories like logos, websites, branding, business advertising, art, and packaging.
The platform offers two main avenues for obtaining design work: hiring a vetted freelance designer for one-on-one projects or initiating a design contest where multiple designers submit their interpretations based on your brief.
The service aims to make the design process seamless, from conception to the final product, even offering a one-click option to send completed files to VistaPrint for printing.
With a strong emphasis on collaboration and a designer community from 192 countries, 99designs claims to create a new design every two seconds and has garnered a customer rating of 4.8/5.
99designs specifications
Features
Category Filters / Custom Avatars / Custom Designs / Dedicated Support / Dedicated manager / Design Contests / Easy Create Logo Process / For Designers / Full Copyright / Online Portfolio / Unique Designs
Best suited for
Individuals, Freelancers, Small businesses, Mid size businesses, Large enterprises
Looking to elevate your brand with top-notch design services? 99designs offers a range of pricing plans to fit every budget and need.
With packages starting from as low as $299 to premium options at $1,299, you’re sure to find the perfect fit. Whether you’re a small business, an individual, or a large agency, 99designs has got you covered !
Design Concepts: You can expect around 30 design concepts from various designers.
Money-Back Guarantee: If you’re not satisfied with the designs, you can request a full refund.
Copyright Ownership: You own the full copyright to the chosen design.
This package is ideal for small businesses or individuals who are looking for basic design services without the frills.
Silver Package: $499
Design Concepts: This package offers approximately 60 design concepts.
Money-Back Guarantee: A 100% money-back guarantee ensures you’re not taking any risks.
Copyright Ownership: Full copyright ownership of the chosen design is included.
The Silver package is suitable for those who want a wider variety of design options to choose from.
Gold Package: $899
Design Concepts: You’ll receive around 90 design concepts.
Money-Back Guarantee: As with other packages, a 100% money-back guarantee is offered.
Copyright Ownership: You’ll own the full copyright to the selected design.
Designer Level: Only Mid & Top Level designers are allowed to participate.
The Gold package is aimed at businesses that require more specialized design services and want to work with more experienced designers.
Platinum Package: $1,299
Design Concepts: This premium package offers around 60 design concepts.
Money-Back Guarantee: A 100% money-back guarantee is included.
Copyright Ownership: Full copyright ownership is granted.
Designer Level: Only Top Level designers can participate.
Dedicated Manager: You’ll have a dedicated manager to oversee your project.
Prioritized Support: Customer support queries are prioritized.
The Platinum package is designed for businesses that require top-tier design services, dedicated support, and want to work exclusively with the platform’s best designers.
99designs Pro
Custom Plans: Tailored specifically for agencies.
Exclusive On-Boarding: Includes a unique on-boarding process.
Designer Recruiting: Access to a curated list of designers.
Custom Privacy Tools: Enhanced privacy features for your projects.
99designs Pro is a specialized service for agencies that require a more customized experience, including designer recruiting and custom privacy tools. You’ll need to contact 99designs for a custom quote.
From visual elements like profile cover images and avatars to interactive features such as private messaging and portfolio management, each feature serves a unique purpose.
Whether you’re a top-level designer or new to the platform, understanding these features can significantly enhance your visibility and interaction with potential clients.
Profile Cover Image
The profile cover image is one of the first elements that clients see when they visit a designer’s profile. It serves as a visual introduction to the designer’s style and personality.
The image should be carefully chosen to align with the designer’s brand and should not include personal contact information.
Avatar
The avatar is a small image that represents the designer on the platform. It can be a professional headshot or a brand logo. This image appears next to the designer’s username and in various sizes across the site, giving potential clients a glimpse of who they might be working with.
Private Messaging Button
This feature allows clients to send private messages to designers. It appears as a small envelope icon next to the designer’s username, facilitating direct communication between the client and the designer.
“Invite to Work” Button
This button enables clients to quickly initiate a one-on-one project with a designer. It streamlines the process of hiring a designer for a specific task.
Located on the designer’s profile, this button serves as a quick and efficient way to initiate a project without going through the contest route. Once you click the “Invite to Work” button, a dialogue box appears where you can outline the project details, budget, and timeline.
Expanded View for Individual Designs
When a design is added to the portfolio, designers can provide additional information such as the title, description, and tags. This makes the designs easily searchable and allows for a higher understanding and appreciation of the work.
Portfolio
The portfolio section allows designers to showcase their work. It can include designs from contests they’ve entered and projects they’ve completed. The portfolio should be curated to display a diverse array of skills and styles.
Category Filters
The Category Filters feature on 99designs is a user-friendly tool that allows clients to sort and view a designer’s portfolio based on specific design categories.
Located at the top left corner of the Portfolio page, this feature aims to enhance the user experience by making it easier to find designs that align with a client’s particular needs.
About Page
The About page provides background information on the designer, including skills, experience, and certifications. It’s a space for designers to share more about themselves, but it should not include personal contact information.
Services (For Top-Level Designers)
Top-level designers have the option to offer up to five custom design services on their profile. These services include details like pricing, turnaround time, and what’s included, making it easier for clients to initiate projects.
99designs is a global creative platform that connects businesses with freelance designers for custom graphic design needs, including logos, websites, and branding. The platform offers a unique design contest feature, allowing you to receive multiple design submissions tailored to your brief.
With a money-back guarantee and an extensive, vetted designer community, 99designs provides a reliable and professional service that can help elevate your brand’s visual identity.
Pros
Intuitive Design Posting Process: The platform guides you through creating a design brief, ensuring that designers understand your vision.
Money-Back Guarantee: You’re not obligated to pay if you’re unsatisfied with the design submissions.
Fixed-Bid Projects: You set your budget upfront, eliminating the risk of unexpected costs.
Large Designer Community: The platform’s extensive network means you can receive hundreds of design submissions.
Cons
Price Minimums: Although you can set your own budget, there are minimum price requirements for each design category.
Limited Designer Background Info: The platform doesn’t provide comprehensive background information on designers, which might be a concern for long-term projects.
Quality Subjectivity: The quality of the design ultimately depends on your judgment, which may not align with broader consumer preferences.
