In 2007, the London Olympic Games Committee paid the Wolff Olins brand agency £400,000 for a logo that sparked a public backlash and was famously condemned as "a puerile mess, an artistic flop and a commercial scandal".  I looked at that logo and thought "I know 10 people that could do better than that" - but they were never given the opportuntity.

Today we launched DesignBay - a graphic design marketplace that gives creative people opportunities and helps businesses get the best design possible.

DesignBay aspires to shake up the graphic design, marketing and advertising industries.  We believe creativity exists everywhere and reputation counts for nothing.  We think great creativity can come from an agency or the person sitting next to you.  Carl Jung believed in the Collective Unconcious, DesignBay believes in Collective Creativity.  We are not exclusive, we are an open meritocracy.  Everyone gets a chance and your success is dictated by your actions.

DesignBay aspires to innovate.  We offer Open Briefs where anyone can bid with their actual design, eliminating the quote step from the design process and ensuring businesses get the best design possible.  We offer guaranteed Base Payments so designers don't have to bid-for-free.

The London Games Committee took a big risk in using just one agency.  The designers that created the logo probably worked in the same room, had similar training and similar backgrounds.  But the London Games Committee was not at fault.  They had no experience themselves.  They used one highly respected agency because that's how it's always been done.  They put all their eggs in one basket - but they had no protection.

DesignBay offers a risk-free alternative.  Offer your budget to the global creative talent pool and find the best idea available.  Furthermore, we are an independent third party who acts as a buffer to protect you if your requirements aren't met.

There are 6 billion people, brains, creative minds in the world and all they need is opportunity.  Ask yourself this: what would the London Olympics logo they offered a £400,000 (or even a £40,000) prize to design the logo? 

Fire up people.

Alec

Written by DesignCrowd on Thursday, January 10, 2008

DesignCrowd is an online marketplace providing logo, website, print and graphic design services by providing access to freelance graphic designers and design studios around the world.