How to get the first prize in 99designs contest as a newbie
By: Sabila Rahmawati
Tags: Additional Income, Side Hustle, Design Contest, Design Challenge, 99designs

Welcome to 99d

Coronavirus attacks were changed people lives. Fortunately, it hits my life too as newly employee. I came back to the country-side in East Java, which was my birthplace. Of course, spend with a small penny in a big city would kill me gradually.

So here I am. Start everything that can produce money to survive. And one of the potential ample rewards is from the design contest. But challenges have followed. I picked 99designs and start to join a contest again.

I was ambitious to become a winner at that time. No matter what. lol

These steps will help you get a chance as a winner though you’re an entry-level in 99designs.

FILTERING CONTEST

Know your strength. Even if you’re confident enough to start a ‘blind’ contest, start with an easy-peasy level. Checked ‘base’ contest level as the level is aimed at all designer levels.

Then, add contest selection with an ‘open eye’ symbol. This type allows you to see other designer entry. Let’s have a sneak peek. Oh, if you won’t mess up yourself with NDA (non-disclosure agreement) approval tab. Simple clicked ‘unlocked’ icon within a private button.

2. FIND YOUR NICHE

I know it’s a bit idealistic. But why not begin with something that you like. You can scroll down to any design contest. Choose brief, style attributes, and references that may fit with your design style.

What kinda style do you match with?

Tips: On the right list, find a few designs entry, 2–3 days, and have at least 2 feedbacks. Oh, once more if you see a guaranteed contest, take it. Guaranteed contest means that client won’t be able to make a refund in the middle of the contest. So, you can save time.

3. READ BRIEF THOUGHTFULLY

Don’t see the design tab first to see your rival entry. The best step is understanding client needs. Know exactly what they want, how it looks, and philosophy beyond it.

Once you get it, you may move to the design tab. It allows you to compare your cognition. Find other weaknesses, their faulty and unaesthetic design. Oh yes, almost the client wants artsy looks. But alas, it should represent the ideate too.

Read the description thoughtfully

4. GENERATES IDEA!

Your brain may pop out the idea while scanning other designers. Sometimes, you should beware because it can fall you out to plagiarism. The trick is to observe-copy-modify. In these steps, our ability to process new input is tested to leverage creative and critical thinking. The more you have a brainstorm, formed ideas will come in integrate and impeccable.

5. SUBMIT AND WRITE A DESCRIPTION

Before submitting the design make sure you know exactly what you’ve created about. Your pitch should be concise, compact, and bright. At the end of the sentence, you can ask the client for feedback. Or adding an option of design modification.

6. FOLLOW UP

Once the client hits and gives any feedback, go cashing the sun. Give the best and fast responses as you can. Showing a solution to their problem through your design. If they ask you to make any modification, combine the revised design with your own gut feelings.

7. FINAL ROUND

After long days of battle and if you’re lucky enough, you’ll have an invitation entering the final round. In this step, there were a few designers picked by the client. The client can pick up to a maximum of six designers. Revisions still apply within this stage.

Due to a few designers get involved, keen your eyes to deep-dive an observation. A winner usually will visibly stand out from the crowd. They’re quite, sometimes not making a rush action, and have frequent revision in steady-certain times.

Curious about their uploading time

Tips: You can short design by ‘newest first’ entry. Some of the designers will upload a revision in certain time.

8. DRUM ROLL FOR WINNER!

Be patient and make a wish. Don’t blame yourself for anything that can’t be changed and happened. You’ve made a great step to leverage your skills. and willingness to grow, this is the point.

This final step can take up to 14 days for client to make a decision. Fortunately, most clients will pick in 1–3 days. Even just in 24 hours. No wasting time.

9. FINAL FILE

The announcement of the winner will be notified through email (if you linking email). You can click the upload design button under your design entry. This step is to upload raw files through a link. Before submitting the final files, you should sign an agreement.

In order to get approved by the system and get the prize, your client should sign the agreement either. Then you’ve got your earning!

a zero earning after payout. lol

10. WITHDRAW THE PRIZE

You can withdraw the money through Paypal or Payoneer. In this case, I was using Paypal as a digital wallet because it’s easy to create in Indonesia. You can click the request payout button and choose Paypal. It takes 3 days business hour into your Paypal.

If you wanna transferring into the local bank (BRI, BNI, Mandiri, etc), it will take 3–4 days again. Exception for Jenius, it’s about 7 days working days.

Tips: You can create Paypal account with Jenius card. No more credit card for ‘sobat misqiuen’.

Happy digging for dollars!