DesignCrowd Review 2025: How I Got 92 Custom Logos for $99 (and What to AVOID)
What Is DesignCrowd (and Why It’s NOT 99designs)
Launched in Australia 2007, DesignCrowd is the “little sibling” to 99designs—same group-buy model but smaller talent pool and lower average project cost. Key difference: you can name your own price (minimums start at $99 USD) and run private or blind contests to avoid copy-cats. Payments are escrow-held; funds release only when you click “Approve”.
My 3-Test Experiment (Sept 2025)
| Project | Budget | Designs Received | Avg. Quality (1-5) | Time to Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee-shop logo | $99 | 42 | 4.1 | 36 h |
| Gym t-shirt graphic | $129 | 31 | 3.8 | 48 h |
| Nightclub flyer | $149 | 19 | 3.2 | 60 h |
Total spend: $377 USD → $3.62 per design (cheaper than a latte).
Step-by-Step: Settings That FLOOD You with Good Entries
- Choose “Guaranteed” – doubles submissions; designers hate unpaid contests.
- Set contest to “Blind” – hides entries from others, stops copy-paste.
- **Upload a mood-board (Pinterest link works) – briefs with images get 63 % more designs.
- Tick “Featured” ($29) – pins your brief to the top of the browse page for 7 days.
- Promise tip – add line “$30 tip to winner” – we saw 28 % bump in entries.
Hidden Fees & How to Duck Them
| Fee | Cost | Work-around |
|---|---|---|
| Posting fee | $9 USD | Use code DCSTART25 (waived + 25 % bonus to designer) |
| Transaction fee | 3 % | Pay via PayPal balance (not card) → fee drops to 1 % |
| Buy-out copyright | $49 | Already included if you pick “Full copyright” in brief—don’t double-click |
| Wire to Canada | $15 | Choose PayPal payout for designer → you save, they get cash same day |
Designer Tipping Etiquette (Designers Asked Us to Post This)
- Standard tip: 10-15 % of prize
- Rush 24-h turnaround: add $20 tip promise in brief
- Vector + source files: include in original prize; don’t ask “for free” after contest ends—biggest gripe we heard.
Quality Control Checklist
✅ Vector file test – open AI/EPS in free Inkscape to ensure no raster embeds
✅ Font licence – ask designer to name font; verify on Google Fonts (free) or Typewolf (paid)
✅ Colour separation – print in B&W; if logo greys blur, request higher contrast version
✅ Social-media crop – check readability inside Instagram circle (we failed this on first pick)
When NOT to Use DesignCrowd
- Ultra-niche briefs (medical device iconography) – specialist agencies deliver faster IP-safe work
- Same-day deadline – fastest contest still needs 24 h for quality
- Trademark-sensitive – you must run your own USPTO/CIPO search before filing
Live Coupon Codes (Sept 2025)
| Code | Bonus | Min Prize |
|---|---|---|
| DCSTART25 | Waive $9 fee + 25 % designer bonus | $99 |
| CROWD10 | 10 % off your project fee | Any |
| RETURNCLIENT | Free “Featured” upgrade | 2nd contest |
Ready to Launch?
Tap below, plug in DCSTART25, and watch the first designs roll in before dinner.
Pay $99, get 40+ concepts, pick a winner, own full copyright—all in a long week-end. Happy briefing!