Crowdsourcing Response
I got some interesting feedback after posting a link to my crowdsourcing blog entry on Twitter last week. Another designer said “the best thing a designer can offer is problem solving.” I thought this was a great response because problem solving is such a huge part of what we do as designers. The general problem that we’re solving is, “How can I best communicate the message to the desired audience.”
Another user spoke up and suggested that the “community intelligence” in crowdsourcing makes it better and more efficient than the traditional designer/client relationship. Although it’s an interesting argument, I disagree.
There’s a relationship that’s formed when I meet with clients. It starts at the very first meeting when I learn about their goals for their company and this project in particular. I’m able to ask them relevant questions about their business, their competition and their target customers. I have a hard time seeing this interaction being facilitated to an acceptable degree online when there is never any personal interaction. Of course a thorough creative brief will answer many of these questions but I think there’s something valuable to be gained in the personal interaction.
Going beyond the initial meeting, as projects progress, a relationship is cultivated. As I present subsequent projects to the client, I’m able to gain a greater understanding of the way they think and the direction their business is heading. In the crowdsourcing model a client won’t be sticking with one designer or design firm for all of their projects. Each new project brings a new set of designers that has no history with the company.
With all of that said, the point about multiple minds working on a project is a good one. It’s true that different people bring different skills and backgrounds to the table. I think it’s great to work collaboratively and that’s something that I’ve tried to make sure we do with Adam Lee Design.
In the end I think there are positives and negatives to crowdsourcing. I believe that the negatives outweigh the positives for both the client and the designer but there will be those that disagree.
On a side note: I’m loving Twitter. I think it’s awesome that a random person happens to see one of my tweets and can jump in with their opinion.
