Posts Tagged ‘crowdspring.com’
Friday, November 19th, 2010
Ladies, the wait is finally (almost) over! DressRush.com is opening their figurative doors soon, but registration is available NOW! DressRush.com is a members only, online auction where you can purchase designer wedding gowns and accessories for a fraction of their retail price. Membership is free and the site is completely open to anyone who would like to join.
I recently spoke with Aaron Hall, Co-Founder of Dress Rush, and he just ran a small website design project on the site. The winner is still a secret and will be announced when the full site is revealed!
So make sure you check it out and tell any of your friends looking for gowns or accessories and, in the mean time, read what Aaron has for you to learn… (Oh! And like them on Facebook!)
1. How did you get things designed before crowdSPRING?
We’ve worked with ALOT of different graphic designers….and while some of them were great, it took a lot of time to get what we wanted done.
2. Why in the world did you decide to use crowdSPRING?!
Our graphic designer actually referred us to you since he was swamped at the time. The concept intrigued me, and the results blew me away. I couldn’t believe we hadn’t used this before, especially with all of the design needs we have.
3. What’s the single best small biz resource that you’ve found (magazine, website, blog, etc.)?
Hmm. I’d have to say Mashable.com. I’ve been reading them since their start and they have grown into an amazing wealth of knowledge from social media, to tech…everyone should read them daily.
4. If your best friend told you they were going to start a business, what’s the ONE piece of advice you’d give them?
Start small. Use Crowdspring to create a landing page, then jump over to unbounce.com and get the landing page up quickly. See if your concept gets people interested before you spend the bucks to build your idea.
Tags: crowdspring.com, designer wedding gowns, dress rush, dressrush.com, small biz, small business
Posted in Awesomeness, business, community, crowdsourcing, design, How To, inspiration, Interviews, marketing, social media, start-up tips, Strategy, Technology | 1 Comment »
Friday, September 17th, 2010
Now, I may be the reigning champion of Christmas Party Beer Pong here at crowdSPRING (no big deal…) but this next company may have me beat. The Alfred Jorgensen Laboratory, located in Copenhagen, Denmark, has been supplying breweries all over the world with pure cultures of brewing yeast for over 130 years. For those of you who don’t brew your own beer… these yeast cultures are what make it possible to brew the delicious beverages you consume each night. 
They have the world’s largest collection of brewing yeast strains – more than 850 different yeasts – one of the world’s most historic collections, amassed over more than a century. AJL supply these yeasts to breweries in the UK, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, France, Spain, Brazil, Chile, USA, Canada, Australia, the Philippines, Korea, India, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Russia, Poland, Hungary, Romania, Czech Republic, Greece, Belgium, Holland, Vi
etnam, Germany and many other countries.
Dr. Bill Simpson, AJL’s Director, posted a logo project on cS and it’s no surprise that they received over 1100 entries! (With the winning submission belonging to cS username: Socorro)
I got a chance to speak with Dr. Bill Simpson and he has a lot to share with you so grab a beer (if you’re 21, of course), sit back and read along…
1. How did you get things designed before crowdSPRING?
Before crowdSPRING we really had a bit of a patchy approach to design work. We tackled some of it in-house, contracted some of it to a really great independent designer in Poland, and ran various one-off projects with several UK design agencies. We often find ourselves in need of artwork ‘yesterday’ in an attempt to respond to promotional offers from magazine publishers for discounted advertising. That’s sometimes made it difficult for us to get something we’re really happy with in the time available. There’s a limit to what one single designer can do in a day.
2. Why in the world did you decide to use crowdSPRING?!
I’d seen crowdSPRING mentioned on the Hubspot Blog and checked it out pretty much right away. I was impressed! But in a somewhat Luddite-inspired act that I’m at a loss to explain I wrote down the name on a piece of paper which I kept in my back pocket for months
. Now and again I’d find that note and take another look at crowdSPRING. I’d continue to be impressed, and even recommended the site to a few of my friends. The power of prevarication! Finally, one late Friday afternoon in July, the end of the week approaching, I decided to bite the bullet and post a project. When I finally found out just how easy it was I felt more than a little foolish. The posting process was a breeze and the rating and feedback part of the process was really quite fun. It was quite a buzz to see so much great talent focussed on our logo. Why had I waited so long?
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Tags: alfred jorgensen labs, crowdspring, crowdspring.com, small biz, small business, startup
Posted in Awesomeness, business, community, crowdsourcing, design, How To, inspiration, Interviews, marketing, social media, start-up tips, Strategy, Technology | No Comments »
Friday, September 3rd, 2010
Some may label me a shopaholic, others
a connoisseur… either way I love a good consignment shop and the people of Boone, NC are about to get a great one. Boone is not only home to Appalachian State University but also of Anna Banana’s, a new consignment shop opening soon.
Anna Lipford, the brains behind this glorious operation, moved to Boone in early August with her daughter to start a new venture in her sales driven life, and personally, I think a college town is the perfect place for this new store. Anna posted a project on the site looking for a new logo and the winning entry came from cS username designangels.
I’m a huge fan of anything following the Green movement and consignment shops are definitely in this category. Along with clothes available for resale, Anna Banana’s will be selling furniture perfect for dorm rooms and apartments as well as local art!
I got a chance to ask Anna a few questions so listen up to her words of wisdom…
1. How did you get things designed before crowdSPRING? 
This is my first project. I was considering friends as well as an ad agency. I found that when using friends, you can lose a friendship. crowdSPRING keeps things unemotional, fair and within the budget I chose.
2. Why in the world did you decide to use crowdSPRING?!
CS came well recommended to me by someone in Boone that had used your site, happy with the results. I tried using friends at first but couldn’t get the same quality I saw on crowdSPRING. Also, didn’t want to go with an agency and feel the pressure to buy their version of my logo. My logo’s super important to me. It’s like picking out your face.
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Tags: anna banana's, appalachian state university, boone, crowdspring, crowdspring.com
Posted in Awesomeness, business, community, crowdsourcing, design, inspiration, Interviews, marketing, start-up tips, Strategy | 5 Comments »
Friday, August 6th, 2010
OK, I don’t know about you guys but parking in my neighborhood in Chicago is TERRIBLE. It takes me at least 20 minutes to find a spot and if we want to go out to eat around town… well, forget about it; you have to take a cab or public transit. For this reason I was drawn to a web design project I found on the site – SpotHero.
SpotHero is an online parking reservation system and they are crowdsourcing parking spots! Anyone with an extra parking spot in their garage, driveway, or street that show no risks of tickets or towing can register their parking spot and lease it out for a selected amount of time. Pure genius if you ask me!
Jeremy Smith is a 24 year old entrepreneur who lives in Chicago. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 2008 and after running into countless problems with parking tickets and being towed, he thought of this great service to give people and businesses a way to make a little extra money and drivers to find a sanctuary for their cars without the risks. Jeremy and his business partner, Billy Vong, are embarking on getting this idea off the ground so, to them, we say good luck!
I got a chance to talk to Jeremy, the ‘genius’ behind SpotHero, who is hosting this website design project and here is what he wants to share…
1. How did you get things designed before crowdSPRING?
This is actually my first true project. I recently tried out 99designs for a logo design, and was pleased with my final product. Having had a positive experience there, I wanted to try out crowdSPRING to get access to different talent pool. My other options consisted of finding local design companies and friends, however those prices are a little bit out of my budget range.
2. Why in the world did you decide to use crowdSPRING?!
I decided to use crowdSPRING, because I wanted to get a chance to see multiple designers concepts of the site. I knew that there was an idea of how I wanted the site to be laid out, but seeing how each designer attacks it differently has been very valuable for me. I was initially drawn to crowdSPRING from various positive reviews I had come across online. People seemed pleased with their product and the price, and I wanted to look deeper. I went to the website and was really impressed when I was able to browse submissions for open contests. The ease of use, and access to top notch designers got me excited and that’s how I ended up listing my post for a website design.
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Tags: crowdspring, crowdspring.com, jeremy smith, small biz, small business, small business spotlight, spothero
Posted in Awesomeness, business, community, crowdsourcing, design, How To, inspiration, Interviews, marketing, social media, start-up tips, Strategy, Technology | 7 Comments »
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
This week we’re doing something a little different so don’t get too confused guys… Laura Day took advantage of that little blurb at the bottom of our newsletter each week that says “We want to hear your story” and sent us an email. Laura is a creative on crowdSPRING but she also owns her own business! (Way to go, girl!)
Laura is an Australia native and owns Learn 2 Screen-Print a screen-printing business where she teaches people of all ages the proper techniques of screen-printing on paper and fabric and the history behind it.
Laura is a graphic designer and has studied in the field for nine years. She received her BA in Printmaking from Queensland College of Art in Australia. I had a chance to ask her a few questions about starting her own business and this is what she has to share…
1. How did you get things designed before crowdSPRING?
I am a graphic designer. I joined to submit my artwork and designs to crowdSPRING.
2. Why in the world did you decide to use crowdSPRING?!
I think crowdSPRING are doing great things to link small business owners and the design community. As a designer myself it is great to keep active and making designs, and the possibility of winning a job and getting paid for it is a bonus! I also love that you are providing business people with QUALITY graphic design services, not just stock standard designs.
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Tags: crowdspring, crowdspring.com, learn2screenprint, screenprinting
Posted in Awesomeness, business, community, crowdsourcing, design, How To, inspiration, Interviews, marketing, social media, start-up tips, Strategy | 5 Comments »
Friday, July 9th, 2010
Good day crowdSPRING blog readers, today I’m going to let you in on the next big thing sure to hit a conference near you and it’s called Zing!
You’re probably wondering what in the world…? But it’s great! Zing! is an interactive singing fitness show featuring sing-alongs to pop and Broadway hits, paired with dance moves sure to get the blood pumping. In addition to conferences, you’ll find Zing! at fitness and dance centers, offered as a group class targeting strength, endurance, flexibility and balance.
I connected with Pam Peterson, the creator of Zing! and the buyer who posted the Zing! project on the site looking for a logo design. Pam is a professional singer/actress and a personal fitness trainer so she’s highly qualified to pump you into shape at your next conference.
I got a chance to ask her a few questions and this what she has to share with you…
1. How did you get things designed before crowdSPRING?
When I needed graphic designs in the past, I turned to colleagues of colleagues… with mixed results.
2. Why in the world did you decide to use crowdSPRING?!
A fellow NAWBO Chicago member had posted a listserve request for a logo designer. I liked the laid-back, conversational email response from CrowdSpring, and decided to check out your website. Wow! Let’s face it, the concept is phenomenal. Where else could I name my price and attract a global talent pool from which to choose my design?
3. What’s the single best small biz resource that you’ve found (magazine, website, blog, etc.)?
I’m a big fan of two Chicago women’s business organizations: National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) and Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC).
4. If your best friend told you they were going to start a business, what’s the ONE piece of advice you’d give them?
Clear your calendar for the next decade.
Tags: conferences, crowdspring, crowdspring.com, fitness, zing!
Posted in Awesomeness, business, community, crowdsourcing, design, How To, inspiration, Interviews, marketing, start-up tips, Strategy, Technology | No Comments »
Friday, April 30th, 2010
It’s super exciting to see crowdsourcing spreading to all these new industries! So, naturally, when we came across a homepage redesign project (which, by the way, was awarded to cloud168 , congratulations!) we had to get in touch with them and find out what their site’s going to be all about! I got in contact with Scott, one of the founders of MusikPitch and received some great background information on the upcoming site.
MusikPitch will work a lot like crowdSPRING in that anyone looking for music can post a project, set a price, and listen to the music that pores in. Songwriters and composers can pitch their original songs to the project holder in attempt to win the award. The buyer then picks the song they like best and purchases the licen
se to that song.
This website opens up new platforms for Music Supervisors who are looking for film underscores, video game makers needing music for their games, corporations looking to brand their products with a song, or even musicians looking for lyrics to a new song. This will also be very helpful for anyone wanting a song made for their wedding, festival, reunion, etc.
For the musicians out there this opens up a level playing field in a very hard industry to come into. You no longer have to “know somebody” to have your music heard or bought.
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Tags: crowdsourcing, crowdspring, crowdspring.com, musikpitch, musikpitch.com, small biz, small biz success, small biz tips, small business blog
Posted in Awesomeness, business, community, crowdsourcing, design, How To, inspiration, Interviews, marketing, Reviews, social media, start-up tips, Strategy, Technology | No Comments »
Friday, February 19th, 2010
If any of you are as excited as I am about the FIFA World Cup being held for the very first time in an African country then you’ll be just as excited about this company that posted a project on crowdSPRING. CAfrica Sports (pronounced see-Africa-sports) was in need of a logo and stationery design for their company that will be the first private broadcaster to deliver content to over 40 countries in sub-Sahara Africa.
They already own the rights to broadcast NBA and many other programs. This is huge for any company wanting to target African countries because they can now advertise during NBA games and other popular programs. Not only that but this is the first time companies will be able to advertise to more than one country at the same time. Before CAfrica Sports, companies wanting to advertise in Africa had to pay on a country to country basis.
We got a chance to talk with Sarah Eder from Eder Communications, who posted this project, to find out a few things and here’s what she said…
1. How did you get things designed before crowdSPRING?
Before crowdSPRING, we either designed our logos and websites ourselves (poorly) or we would use a designer recommended by someone in our network of contacts. Even then, the prices were usually beyond our budget or we would only be presented with a handful concepts.
2. Why in the world did you decide to use crowdSPRING?!
A friend in public relations told us about crowdSPRING; she had used the site for other clients and projects. We immediately loved the concept. We checked out the crowdSPRING website and were amazed by the creativity and quality of the submissions. And, we were impressed by the professional approach of the crowdSPRING team, and the rave reviews the site had received.
3. What’s the single best small biz resource that you’ve found (magazine, website, blog, etc.)?
It’s hard to pin down just one. For our industry, we love www.balancingact-africa.com because of the media and telecommunications information about Africa. We’re also fans of Timbuktu Chronicles at http://timbuktuchronicles.blogspot.com because it captures the entrepreneurial and consumer essence of Africa. But, the best resource available is our personal and professional network. It’s sort of like the Kevin Bacon game; we are usually about six people or less from getting to the right person we need to get to.
4. If your best friend told you they were going to start a business, what’s the ONE piece of advice you’d give them?
Build your team to fit the business, not the other way around. Oh, and check out crowdSPRING!
Tags: Africa, blog, CAfrica Sports, crowdspring, crowdspring.com, FIFA world cup
Posted in Awesomeness, business, community, crowdsourcing, design, Interviews, marketing, Strategy, Technology, Uncategorized, writing | No Comments »
Friday, September 12th, 2008
The crowdSPRING crew has the honor of attending WIRED NextFest 2008‘s opening event in two weeks. The festival, which will be held in Chicago’s Millennium Park from September 27th – October 12th, features innovative exhibits that bridge design and technology together.
Here are some great exhibits that will be on display throughout the upcoming weeks:
Alinea
Gourmet Magazine named Chicago restaurant Alinea 2006′s Best Restaurant in America. Their innovative fusion of food and chemistry, coupled with great presentation, has made Alinea one of America’s most creative fine dining establishments. Have you ever seen bacon look so high end?
Art of Play
Interactive designer Erik Natzke takes Flash to the next level as a medium for fine art rather than just ad banners. By using drawing engines, generative algorithms, and color studies in Flash, Natzke created prints 9 feet wide with an impressive aesthetic.
iPoint Presenter
Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications’ iPoint Presenter takes the idea of a touch screen to the next level. Using a system of cameras, the iPoint tracks your motion to move elements, press buttons, and more on an existing screen. The screen reacts with just a swoop of your arm or finger. Imagine a touch screen that you don’t even have to touch!
As a creative start up, it’s great to see our hometown begin to evolve into a viable technology community. On Monday, Ross and Mike will be speaking at the Chicago New Media Summit, along with people from 37signals, Critical Mass, Microsoft, Avenue A | Razorfish, Tribune Interactive, and more. Our fearless leaders will be speaking about community based creative content – a concept that is changing how people sell, collaborate, and share their creative ideas. We look forward to discussing the benefits of this global creative network with other tech-related professionals, whether in digital advertising, publishing, or marketing, and how community based creative sites such as crowdSPRING and fellow Chicagoans Threadless can be an asset to the creative world.
It’s a great time to be living in the Windy City if you’re in the technology business, and we are proud and excited to be a part of this burgeoning community!
Tags: 37signals, alinea, art of play, avenue a razorfish, chicago, chicago new media summit, cnms08, critical mass, crowdspring, crowdspring.com, erik natzke, flash, fraunhofer institute for telecommunications, iPoint, microsoft, millennium park, threadless, tribune interactive, wired, wired next fest
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
