I log on to Kos and see this bullshit... 99 Designs.
They entice people to use their site with the catchphrase "Your logo sucks."
They they ask why you should use one designer when you can use "our community of 75,693 designers then sit back and choose the design you like!"
AWESOME! 75,693 people do work and only one person gets paid!!!!!!!
More rant after the fold...
When I browsed their site I saw this beauty:
A "Smash Injustice: Help end human trafficking," t-shirt "contest."
Look. I agree with the cause... but asking 75,692 people to work free to help end abuse reeks of hypocrisy. I don't mean to pick on them... there's plenty of more examples..
What is with people's attitudes towards designers and graphic artists that they think they should be allowed to get their work on the cheap or even free?
I should launch my own contest and ask all mechanics to fix my car! The one that can make my '96 Honda Civic run like a 2010 BMW will win $50!
...or... maybe for my lunch, I'll have 25 chefs bake me a meal. I'll sample them all and give the best meal $20! (sorry to the other 24 suckers!)
Designers and artists study and devote countless hours to their craft.
Show some respect and search out unique artists whose work you like and pay them for their skill.
...and to get the general idea about how designers are treated, please enjoy this hilarious YouTube clip: