Designer Profile

Jude Fernando - Philippines

99designs handle: Fernando's design

Projects entered: 126

Projects won: 29

How did you get started in web design?

I got my start in design a long time ago, 1995 to be exact. It was not in web design, but in Architectural design. Yes, that was my foundation and my five years in architecture school developed my aesthetic sensibilities.

However, architectural practice in the real world didn't work out for me. It was not my cup of tea - I discovered that creativity in the world of cement and steel was limited by so many factors. I started looking into other creative outlets such as traditional art and sculpture. All this was until the day I discovered Photoshop...

I was so amazed by the capabilities of the software, that I started spending all my waking hours messing around with it. I tried my hand at some personal websites for friends and poster designs for local events. I realized that this was something I could get good at after much encouragement and appreciation from my friends, family and early clients. This was also the time when websites were not cool and pretty to look at and there was definitely no web2.0 and glossy, shiny interfaces! There was and is so much potential on the web!

How do you get your inspiration?

My initial inspiration is always the client. A good brief inspires me and gets me thinking about the possibilities. I also spend some time every single day just browsing the web, looking at great designs, seeing the work of other designers. The more you appreciate the work of others the more you grow in your own work. Most of my ideas come to me at night - when the world is asleep. A calm mind and quiet surroundings inspire a lot of thought. I never rush into a design.

What led you to start using

99designs.com? Unlike many here, I discovered 99designs quite late. I was randomly browsing through a popular web design forum when I came across a discussion about contests. The whole concept of crowdsourcing was new to me and I was curious enough about 99designs to give it a try. I was hooked immediately - each and every contest gave me a rush but I was also depressed when I didn't win. I am sure all of you designers here have felt the same. After 126 contests its still a rush and I have learned to deal with losing :) 99designs has been invaluable in providing me with a lot more opportunity than what I had before. Every contest is a learning experience and I have built relationships with more than a few regular clients though this site. I have improved a lot since I first started here - much of which is due to the concept of this site. Being able to compare ones work with the work of other designers gives you great insight into what you need to improve on. Without this constant interaction with other designers through the contest environment, I would still be stuck where I was a year ago.

What are three things designers can do to have success at 99designs?

1. Understand the brief. This is the the most important aspect of any contest, yet is more often than not the most overlooked. I don't mean just read the brief, but actually understand what the contest holder wants. Read it carefully, take the time, don't rush things.
2. Think like the client. Put yourself in the clients position and think about what you would want if you were the client. What would be most important to you? Sometimes I even think about where the client lives and the acceptable current design practices in that country or that city. For example Scandinavia has a minimalist, functional and ultra modern design language, whereas Miami beach is about being eclectic, colorful and a little over the top.
3. Offer something unique with your entry. Everyone likes to be surprised and clients remember unique designs. If two designs follow the brief to the letter and both designs have excellent technique, it's likely the design that offers something unique or something extra will win. Remember, think like the client. Every client wants their website to standout from the crowd.

What do you love most about being a designer?

Creative freedom is what I love the most. Each new project is a creative outlet and a challenge in itself. Each project brings something different. Not having to do the same thing every day for years is what I love most about being a designer.

One of the most common requests we get from clients at 99designs is the ability to choose multiple winning designs - well now you can. To choose more than one design simply:

• Identify the designs you want to award
• Go to your contest page
• Follow the procedure for selecting a winner for EACH design separately

The first design will be awarded with the money you already prepaid to set up the project. Each additional design will require additional payment equal to the full prize plus the 10% handling fee.

There is no limit to how many designs you can award!

We are proud to announce that 99designs.com has been selected as a finalist for the 2010 SXSW Web Awards in the community category! The SXSW Web Awards uncover the best new websites and celebrates those who are building tomorrow's online trends. The winners in each category will be revealed at the SXSW Web Awards Ceremony on Sunday evening, March 14 at the Hilton Austin Downtown. Wish us luck!

Don't look now - but 99designs.com is breaking records left, right and center!

In January 99designs set new records for:

• The most design projects held in a single month - 2,195
• The highest total of money available to designers in a single month - Over $678,000!

At the time I am writing this there are:

• A record number of open design projects - 617
• With a new record of over $213,000 up for grabs at a single time!

What does this mean for you?

Designers - There is more opportunity for you at 99designs.com than ever before!

Our designers tell us that 50% of the projects they win lead to direct follow on work - that makes 99designs an incredibly powerful tool for building lasting client relationships.

Find your opportunity!

Small Business Owners - If you need logo design, web design, or any other custom graphic design - joint the tens of thousands who discovered the best way to find the right graphic designer.

Check out 99designs.com today!

Cheers,

The 99designs Team

99designs.com Needs Your Help! Please nominate 99designs for a shorty award in the small business category.

The Shorty Awards honor the best people and organizations on Twitter. These unique awards are for the Twitter community, by the Twitter community. Online voting is public and democratic, culminating in an awards ceremony that recognizes the winners in 27 official categories.

Nominate 99designs Here

***Remember to give a reason or your vote won't count!

Designer Profile

Marija Rakic - Novi Sad, Serbia
99designs handle: IfThenElse
Projects entered: 85
Projects won: 23

How did you get started in design?
Some of my friends were building websites and I started to learn html/css as an option to provide some extra cash. I was student of Faculty of Technical Sciences, University in Novi Sad, and I saw myself working as hardware programmer – I was more geek than artist so having a creative job never crossed my mind :) . At first I was all over the place: flash, html, css, illustrator, Maya, php ... Coding and programming was very interesting and easy for me but I found myself enjoying the design process the most. I’ve started paying more attention to it and spending more and more time working in Photoshop. It took 5 years, and 3 PC's but now, what started as additional income has become my full-time job.

How do you get your inspiration?
Inspiration is everywhere. It can be my desktop wallpaper, a TV commercial, a tea cup… The main thing is not to force it, sometimes it takes days to come up with a wireframe and general idea - and in some cases a design brief is so interesting that you immediately get inspired. CSS galleries are always a good resource for inspiration and as a way to follow design trends. You can learn a lot just by watching and analyzing other websites. Never stop learning, read as much as you can on design process and trends. Even when not inspired by the theme of the site you are working on (your 10th commercial site this month) it is important to develop a skill and to be able to produce quality work.

What led you to start using 99designs.com?
Sitepoint.com was one my favorite websites, and at the time the design contests were part of the Sitepont marketplace. ... back in 2006. I spent some time just following the contests and then eventually decided to give it a go. 99designs has helped me develop my design skills - I’ve learned a lot through the contests and watching how different concepts are created based on the same brief. This is an excellent learning environment. The majority of my regular clients found me on 99designs, so it is good place to find clients. This doesn’t mean you have to win a particular contest to get work, very often people will hire you based on your designs. So don’t be discouraged when another design wins. Keep in mind, that even if you loose, quality work will be noticed, and in time you will obtain clients and a steady workflow. On the other hand, even when I have work, it is too much fun to participate in the contests :). Measuring your work against others and trying to guess what the CH will like is very exciting. This will always bring me back to 99designs.

What are the three most important things that designers can do to have success at 99designs.com?
1) Have respect for contest holder and his decisions. When entering a contest, keep in mind that the contest holder is spending time and money, and can conduct the contest any way they choose. Treat the contest holder as a client - not as a buddy. Be aware of when the contest ends and try to submit designs in a timely fashion ( you probably wouldn’t go to your boss or client 2 days before deadline and say: ”Please, please extend!”:)) 2) Choose projects based on how they interest you, not by the prize money. I understand that high prize contests can be very tempting but you will do a much better job, and probably have more success if you only enter the contests that are appealing to you. 3) Keep your integrity. If you are asked to use other people design elements – respectfully decline. In my experience – this usually results in a win ;). Your opinion matters, don’t be afraid to suggest something different to a contest holder or propose a different solution for revision request. Treat any kind of feedback as constructive criticism.

What do you love most about being a designer?
First of all, I am a web designer and developer - so for me - the perfect blend of technology and creative work is the part that I love the most. I love the variety of work - you can work on a website for children one day and do a corporate and clean style the next. Every project is different. Also, working with different people from different parts of the world can be very interesting.