Incentives For Feedback

I just posted a thread in the Elite Designer's section, but it got me to thinking

Here is the original thread:

http://www.designcon...html#post143870

What if we took it a step further?

What if we gave incentives for designers that provide crucial feedback to there fellow competitors? Would this not alleviate designs being strikingly similar? Would this not help designers GROW as designers?

I have always felt the idea of "Two heads are better than one" is a great concept to live by. Using this concept, can we not achieve above par results in DesignContest.net?

What if... What if we were able to allocate percentages/portions out the prize from the contest winners to those designers that helped further a design into the winning pick? This, of course, being totally up to the consent of the winner.

I feel that with a little bit of coding, we could achieve a system that is unmatched upon the design world as far as helping the CH's get a solid design. Which is what SHOULD be the goal for all designers (especially Elite) at DesignContest.net. This helps the word of mouth, this helps the designers grow, this WILL alleviate the pressure of similar designs, and this helps us all get the recognition we deserve as designers.

I recently noticed that one of my designs was close to someone elses. Although noticeably different, it still felt like something I should bring to attention. I feel that we inspire eachother whether we like it or not so long as our entries are available for view to our competition. Whether it be subliminally or by pure light bulb ideas from first glance, we all are helping each other anyways.

Let me know your thoughts on this, as I am curious to hear your ideas.

Furthermore, if the above idea doesn't suit, why not open the contests open for discussion AFTER the contest between designers and only between designers? Why not allow critiques of certain designs, of what you thought could have been better, what was not so good, or how the contest went overall?

As I understand it, some contests went beyond the control of moderators, and cause much discussion afterwards (Such as MedLab). Why not cater to this need for communication?

As designers, we grow our careers off this valuable feedback. We don't really get any of this "valuable" feedback from the CH's (maybe because they feel they want to be nice or cordial, which is understandable) but once the contest is over or while it is going, if you are like me, I would love get feedback from respected designers in this community?

I would not be half the designer I am today (and that's not saying much) if I didn't have some harsh critics here and there, and that drove me to become better in my profession. I feel any seasoned/aspiring designer should agree.



Just another thought.

Edited by cclark413, 01 November 2010 - 03:18 AM.
Grammer

I can't acces the link probably because of insufficient privileges but in reference to this post

What if we gave incentives for designers that provide crucial feedback to there fellow competitors? Would this not alleviate designs being strikingly similar? Would this not help designers GROW as designers?

In principle I agree with you but how can you rate a "crucial feedback", how can you be sure that it is crucial or constructive? Every designer has it's own style it's own approach ... there is a chance that the designer receving feedbacks will get confused by to many.

I have always felt the idea of "Two heads are better than one" is a great concept to live by. Using this concept, can we not achieve above par results in DesignContest.net?

What if... What if we were able to allocate percentages/portions out the prize from the contest winners to those designers that helped further a design into the winning pick? This, of course, being totally up to the consent of the winner.

Pride and greed two aspects of humman nature have a big role here. "I don't need your oppinion, I've won X contests, I know what I'm doing, I won't share my money with you" - 8 out of 10 people think similar, if not more, despite their fluffy forum posts and flower power vocabulary.

The only ones that can allocate percentages/portions out the prize are the CH in my oppinion.

Furthermore, if the above idea doesn't suit, why not open the contests open for discussion AFTER the contest between designers and only between designers? Why not allow critiques of certain designs, of what you thought could have been better, what was not so good, or how the contest went overall?

Totally agree.

I would not be half the designer I am today (and that's not saying much) if I didn't have some harsh critics here and there, and that drove me to become better in my profession. I feel any seasoned/aspiring designer should agree.

Art in general is something that is done 80% with heart and 20% with brain leaving tallent out of it, that's how I see it. Critics are sometimes constructive but they should never change your view of design no matter how seasoned the designer is.

All in all I agree with you and who knows maybe we will see some changes in the future.