Brandstack gets a new sibling. Introducing: Upstack
Brandstack, the creative marketplace for logos has an unveiled another way to market logo designs to the masses. Upstack. Upstack is a unique route for a person needing a logo, website, web design, advertisement or other creative service. Unlike the predecessor Brandstack, Upstack lets anyone build a team of hand-picked designers that are ready to burn the midnight oil to work on your project. Upstack manages all the processes by taking the client from the brief to the final design. This wastes no design time and spares no quality. They also do this without spec work which makes it something that isn’t frowned upon in the design world.
Brandstack is different from other crowd sourcing sites because the logos they market are from designs that didn’t sell in their agency ventures. Meaning, ideally a designer would make a client three logos and the two the client didn’t pick; he or she would fine tune and put on Brandstack to sell.
Wes Wilson, Brandstacks CEO says that the beauty of Upstack is that their designers are all at the top of their game in the respected industries: web design, print, advertisement, illustration & logo design. He also goes on to mention the best part about Upstack is: “Joining Upstack is joining the right against spec. Working on Upstack prokects, you will be paid upfront for your time & effort. Happy designers and happy clients. Happy happy joy joy.”
Some well known competitors, Crowdspring and 99 Designs also offer logos & identities at similar price. Their pay structure is different, paying the designer based on the work that is chosen. A client can ask for a logo and receive 50 or so logos that have been executed. The client then picks the winner and that determines who gets paid.
Brandstack
Company: Brandstack
Twitter: @Brandstack
Founded: April 2008
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It seems as if another giant is entering in the world of “contest sites” ;) However, I am sure…like other crowd sourcing sites, it will be also welcomed with immense criticism, which I find really weird.
Who not appreciate this practice does not have the right to mortify the contests and the designers who participate.
This looks like a change in the way this kind of sites handle creative services… I think this exploit crowdsourcing in a different way. Let’s see how this kind of project will proceed.
Looks like a good try anyway…
I think this is a fantastic idea, and a huge step in the industry. Spec work is ridiculous, and I can only hope upstack can help bring sites like 99designs to an end. If I wanted new countertops in my kitchen I’ll choose the right person for the job, not ask 50 contractors to do it and then pay the one I like best. Nobody in any other industry would agree to working like this, why do “designers”?
That’s an interesting point Jake. Ask a repairman to fix your car and then you’ll pay, ask a lawyer to defend you and then you’ll pay. Tell a chef at an amazing resort that you might pay when the tab comes etc.
It’s interesting how design is treated as a throw-away commodity but, its the most readily consumed thing. Look around you… everything has been designed by someone or something. Table, desk, wrapper, stoplight, street-sign, soft drink can, postage stamp, cell phone, etc. Whether it was conscious or not! However, it’s the thing that’s taken the most for granted.
Another step in the evolution of crowdsourcing design. I’m curious to see how this drama plays out.
Well I am a designer on 99 designs, have won a great many contests, but I agree wholeheartedly with you Jake. Why are we put to the wayside (designers) as though our time and efforts don’t mean anything. I was recently approved for upstack, hope it turns out well and I can finally leave 99 designs behind(though its been a great run).. but I will say one thing I’ve gotten quiet a few clients off 99designs that either posted a contest i was in or didn’t post at all just saw my profile and contacted me direct.. so there is potential there for the new and upcoming designers and for clients who can’t afford to pay established designer prices.
Thanks Jake and everyone for your support. http://www.Upstack.com – The only way to hire freelance graphic designers. No more spec! So this means happy designers for happy clients.
Warning!!!
Stay away from Brandstack. Wes steals designers money.
http://www.facebook.com/BrandstackPaymentProblem