In 2025, the digital design world is more competitive than ever, with many platforms promising to connect you with talented designers who can bring your creative ideas to life. One such platform that has gained significant popularity over the years is DesignCrowd. It offers businesses of all sizes the opportunity to get high-quality, custom designs through crowdsourcing.
However, like any service, DesignCrowd comes with its own set of pros and cons, and before committing your hard-earned money, it’s essential to understand how the platform works, what you can expect, and whether it’s the right solution for your design needs. This comprehensive review dives deep into DesignCrowd’s features, pros, cons, pricing, ease of use, support, and more to help you make an informed decision.
Overview
DesignCrowd is an online platform that connects businesses and individuals with freelance designers from all around the world. Whether you need a logo, website, brochure, or even product packaging, DesignCrowd enables you to submit a design brief and get proposals from a community of creative professionals.
In essence, DesignCrowd operates on the crowdsourcing model, where multiple designers submit their work based on your brief, and you select the one that best matches your needs. The platform promises a wide selection of designs, catering to different budgets and design requirements.
However, there are some key factors to consider before jumping in. Let’s dive into the details of DesignCrowd’s features and evaluate its pros and cons in 2025.
Get Your Budget Logos With DesignCrowd (Maybe)
When searching for a logo or other branding design on DesignCrowd, you might have a fixed budget in mind. One of the biggest appeals of the platform is that it allows you to set your own budget and see designs from a wide range of designers. For businesses on a tight budget, this can be a great way to access creative services without the hefty price tag of hiring a traditional agency.
That said, the lower your budget, the more likely you are to receive designs that aren’t exactly up to par with your vision. While you can get great designs at a lower cost, you may have to sift through some less-than-stellar submissions before finding the right one. The key to getting good results on DesignCrowd lies in clearly outlining your design brief and knowing how to evaluate the submissions.
DesignCrowd Pros, Cons, & Things That Could Be Better
Pros
1. Wide Range of Designers: One of the major advantages of using DesignCrowd is the sheer number of designers available on the platform. With a global network of creative professionals, you’re bound to find someone who matches your specific style and needs. The diversity of the designers gives you access to fresh, innovative ideas.
2. Design Contests: DesignCrowd allows you to run design contests where multiple designers submit their ideas based on your brief. This crowdsourcing element gives you plenty of options to choose from, ensuring that you find the best fit for your project. The more designers you invite to the contest, the more submissions you’ll get, increasing your chances of finding a design you love.
3. Customizable Pricing: Unlike other platforms, DesignCrowd gives you the flexibility to set your own budget for each project. This means that if you’re working with a limited budget, you can still access design work at a price that suits your needs. However, it’s important to note that the lower your budget, the lower the quality of submissions might be.
4. Private Projects: If you’re concerned about intellectual property theft or want to keep your designs under wraps, DesignCrowd offers a private project option. This feature allows you to keep your design contest and the work submitted by designers private, ensuring that only those you invite can view and work on your project.
5. Fun and Interactive Design Contests: DesignCrowd isn’t just for serious business projects; the platform also holds occasional fun design contests that anyone can join. Whether you’re testing out the platform or looking for a creative, playful design, participating in these contests can be a fun way to engage with the community.
6. Variety of Design Categories: Whether you’re looking for a new logo, website, business card, brochure, or even packaging design, DesignCrowd caters to various types of design work. This variety makes it easy to find the right designer for whatever project you’re working on.
7. Revisions and Feedback: If a design submission isn’t quite right, DesignCrowd allows you to request revisions or provide feedback to the designer. This iterative process ensures you get closer to your ideal design, allowing designers to refine their work until it meets your expectations.
Cons
1. Inconsistent Quality: While the platform gives you access to a wide pool of designers, the quality of submissions can vary significantly. Some designers may offer exceptional work, while others may fall short. For a first-time user, sifting through a number of subpar designs before finding a winner can be frustrating.
2. Time-Consuming Process: While crowdsourcing designs sounds exciting, it can be a slow process. Depending on the complexity of the project and the level of competition in your contest, it may take a few days or even weeks to receive the designs you’re looking for. If you’re on a tight deadline, this could be an issue.
3. Additional Costs for Higher Quality: Although DesignCrowd allows you to set your own budget, paying more doesn’t guarantee you’ll get top-tier designs. To attract the best designers, you may need to pay for “premium” services, which can increase your overall project costs. If you want the best quality, be prepared to spend more money.
4. Navigating the Platform Can Be Challenging: DesignCrowd’s user interface is functional but could be more intuitive. For newcomers, the process of navigating the platform and selecting the right designer can be overwhelming. The sheer number of options and designers can make it difficult to narrow down your choices.
5. Limited Support Options: While DesignCrowd offers support via email and phone, some users have reported slow response times and unhelpful answers. If you encounter any issues or need assistance with your project, be prepared to wait for a while before receiving a resolution.
Things That Could Be Better
- Improved Platform Navigation: The platform could benefit from a more user-friendly interface. Simplifying the process of finding and engaging with designers could help users save time and frustration.
- More Reliable Support: Expanding support options or improving response times would enhance the overall customer experience, especially for users who need assistance with urgent design projects.
Features
There’s Everything You’d Expect from a Site Called “DesignCrowd”
At its core, DesignCrowd is about crowdsourcing creative designs. This means you can post a project brief, set your budget, and receive multiple submissions from designers around the world. Whether you need a logo, website, or marketing materials, the platform covers all aspects of design.
DesignCrowd’s Community Is Its Biggest Feature
The most significant selling point of DesignCrowd is its vibrant and diverse community of freelance designers. With thousands of designers available, you’re not limited to a specific niche or region. This global network ensures you can access fresh, creative, and innovative design ideas. You can view ratings, reviews, and portfolios of individual designers, which helps you make an informed decision when choosing the right one for your project.
You Can Pay Extra For (Nearly) Guaranteed Higher Quality
If you want to ensure you receive high-quality work, DesignCrowd allows you to select premium pricing options. By paying extra, you increase the chances of attracting top-tier designers who specialize in the type of work you need. While this doesn’t guarantee flawless results, it does raise the likelihood of getting the quality you desire.
You Can Keep Your Projects Private
For businesses concerned about confidentiality, DesignCrowd offers a “private project” option. This feature ensures that only invited designers can view or submit designs, keeping your ideas under wraps. It’s a great feature for businesses working on new branding or product concepts and looking to maintain a competitive edge.
DesignCrowd Holds Design Contests Just for Fun
Not every project on DesignCrowd has to be serious or business-related. The platform also holds occasional fun contests where designers compete for the opportunity to submit creative work without a specific commercial goal. This is a great way for new users to get a feel for the platform and have fun with the design process.
My Experience with DesignCrowd
Having used DesignCrowd for multiple projects, my experience has been mostly positive. The platform offers a good balance of cost and creativity, with an extensive pool of designers to choose from. However, I have found that getting the right design takes time, and there were a few occasions where I had to request multiple revisions before I was completely satisfied with the final result. That said, I was able to collaborate with several talented designers who understood my vision and delivered creative, on-brand work.
Does That Mean DesignCrowd Is the Right Solution for You?
DesignCrowd can be an excellent choice for businesses, startups, and entrepreneurs who need custom designs but are working with a tight budget. However, it’s not the best option if you need your designs completed quickly or want guaranteed high-quality work. If you’re willing to invest the time to review submissions and engage in the revision process, DesignCrowd offers a solid value proposition for those looking to create unique and professional designs at a fraction of the cost of hiring an agency.
Ease of Use
While DesignCrowd offers a robust platform for crowdsourcing designs, its ease of use can be a mixed experience. For newcomers, the interface may feel overwhelming due to the multitude of options and features. However, once you familiarize yourself with the system, navigating through your projects becomes more manageable.
DesignCrowd Could Be Much, Much Easier to Use – but It Could Be a Lot Worse, I Guess
DesignCrowd isn’t the most intuitive platform. While it’s functional, it can take some time to get the hang of how to navigate the interface, especially when dealing with multiple designers and submissions. The process isn’t as streamlined as some other design platforms, and it might take a while to familiarize yourself with the layout.
You Can Save Your Projects Until You’re Ready to Pay and Launch
One feature that adds to the flexibility of DesignCrowd is the ability to save your projects and come back to them later. This is especially helpful if you’re not ready to make a final decision or need more time to review the designs.
It’s Easy to Keep Working with a Designer You Like
If you find a designer whose work you like, it’s easy to continue working with them on future projects. This consistency can help streamline your workflow and reduce the need to re-explain your design preferences every time you need something new.
There’s a Nifty “Designer Finder”
For users who know exactly what they’re looking for, DesignCrowd offers a “Designer Finder” tool. This allows you to search for designers who specialize in specific areas like logos, websites, or even packaging. This feature can save time by narrowing down your options to the designers most suited for your needs.
Support
How Does DesignCrowd’s Support Measure Up?
While DesignCrowd offers support, some users have reported slow response times and delays in resolving issues. The support team is generally helpful when you get in touch with them, but you might experience frustration if you’re facing urgent issues that need immediate attention.
DesignCrowd Email Support
Email support on DesignCrowd works, but the response time can be slow. Depending on the complexity of your inquiry, it may take anywhere from a day to several days to get a resolution.
DesignCrowd Phone Support
Phone support is available, but as with email support, response times can be longer than expected. The support team is friendly and professional, but improvements could be made to speed up the process.
Pricing
Does DesignCrowd Offer Good Value for Money?
DesignCrowd offers a pricing structure that’s flexible, meaning you can find something that fits your budget. However, as with many crowdsourcing platforms, the value you get for your money varies based on the budget you set. If you’re looking for high-end, premium designs, you’ll need to spend more. For businesses on a tighter budget, DesignCrowd offers an affordable entry point, but don’t expect the same level of quality as you would from a premium agency.
Usage Rights
One key consideration is the ownership of the designs. When working with a designer on DesignCrowd, you’re granted usage rights, but these rights can vary depending on the project’s pricing tier. Always clarify the terms of ownership with the designer before finalizing the contract, especially if you’re dealing with intellectual property concerns.
Comparison
How does DesignCrowd match up to the competition?
DesignCrowd competes with platforms like 99designs, Fiverr, and Upwork, but what sets it apart is the crowdsourcing aspect. On DesignCrowd, you get multiple design submissions, which can lead to more creative ideas compared to platforms where you only work with a single designer. The downside is that it can be more time-consuming, and quality isn’t always guaranteed. However, for businesses that need a lot of options and can handle the back-and-forth, DesignCrowd offers a valuable service.
DesignCrowd REVIEW: BOTTOM LINE
In conclusion, DesignCrowd is a great option for businesses that need custom designs without the hefty price tag of a traditional design agency. The platform offers flexibility in pricing, a wide selection of talented designers, and the ability to crowdsource ideas through design contests. While the platform is not without its flaws, particularly in terms of navigation and inconsistent quality, it can be a great tool for businesses willing to invest the time to review submissions and communicate with designers.
If you’re looking for affordable, custom designs and are ready to work through a few iterations to get the perfect result, DesignCrowd might just be the right solution for you.
FAQs
How long does it take to get a design on DesignCrowd?
The timeline for receiving designs can vary. Typically, you’ll start seeing submissions within a few days, but more complex designs may take longer.
Can I work with the same designer on future projects?
Yes, once you find a designer you like, you can continue working with them on future projects.
Is DesignCrowd better than 99designs?
DesignCrowd offers a more flexible pricing structure and allows you to crowdsource designs, whereas 99designs typically focuses on higher-quality submissions from a smaller pool of designers.
What happens if I don’t like any of the designs?
You can request revisions from designers or extend your project to get more submissions.
How does DesignCrowd handle intellectual property?
DesignCrowd grants you full ownership of the designs once you’ve paid for them, but it’s important to clarify the terms of usage with the designer before finalizing the project.