Contests vs. Clients

Last year I started doing contest and after about 4 or 5 months had some success and won on some of the major contest sites.

After having a creative dry spell and other bullshit going on in my life, I strated trying to do more client work a couple months ago and it’s been cool and I’ve had enough work to keep me busy but at this point it seems that I will have made more money on contests then clients and worked twice as hard.

I wish I had time for both, but I’ve got a 9 to 5.

anyway I was just thinking about this. Any thoughts?

1. 

   quakerninja said 3 months ago

   I prefer contest work, but there are so many now, its mighty tempting to try to do the shirt circuit professionally. I can’t believe I get to draw for money, Someone should make a documentary about the life of competitive tee shirt designers, it’s a fascinating life, really.

2. 

   RustyEight said 3 months ago

   Honestly, I think contests work more for people trying to make a name for themselves. If you are already established and known, there really isn’t a need for it.

3. 

   explodingtoes said 3 months ago

   quakerninja said: I prefer contest work, but there are so many now, its mighty tempting to try to do the shirt circuit professionally. I can’t believe I get to draw for money, Someone should make a documentary about the life of competitive tee shirt designers, it’s a fascinating life, really.

   just leave a camera on for a week in jimiyo’s lair

4. 

   derekdeal said 3 months ago

   Id like to do more of both but i actually feel like i have more creative freedom with clients. They usually know what they are getting into before they hire me.

   Each contest seems to have its own aesthetic too. Im not totally against trying to play into it, but for now the clients keep me pretty busy being myself. I also get approvals and payments in days instead of months, which is probably the most frustrating thing about contests.

5. 

   justgeoff said 3 months ago

   I’m content doing client work. I just don’t have the time to devote to a piece for a contest, since it’s basically spec work.

6. 

   edword said 3 months ago

   explodingtoes said:

   quakerninja said: I prefer contest work, but there are so many now, its mighty tempting to try to do the shirt circuit professionally. I can’t believe I get to draw for money, Someone should make a documentary about the life of competitive tee shirt designers, it’s a fascinating life, really.

   just leave a camera on for a week in jimiyo’s lair

   true!

   derekdeal said: Id like to do more of both but i actually feel like i have more creative freedom with clients. They usually know what they are getting into before they hire me. Each contest seems to have its own aesthetic too. Im not totally against trying to play into it, but for now the clients keep me pretty busy being myself. I also get approvals and payments in days instead of months, which is probably the most frustrating thing about contests.

   That is true the stuff that I’ve been doing for clients would never fly on the contest sites, you do have to have the right aesthetic to win on the contest sites and it’s different for each one.

7. 

   edword said 3 months ago

   justgeoff said: I’m content doing client work. I just don’t have the time to devote to a piece for a contest, since it’s basically spec work.

   yeah I feel that! I wish I had time for both!

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