Hi, I’m Victor from Nigeria. I’ve been mostly self-taught in graphic design for over 5 years, mainly using Illustrator and some Photoshop. I started out of interest and to find ways to earn online since local options are limited.
Most of my experience comes from crowdsourcing platforms. I know crowdsourcing has mixed opinions, but it helped me learn and grow when other opportunities weren’t available.
I’m here to get a sense of where I stand and would appreciate any advice. Below are links to some of my work:
You’re right. Crowdsourcing sites don’t go over well here — especially the contest sites where there’s no guarantee of payment.
I’m a little confused. The work looks fine, but below your work on the crowdsourcing site, there is other people’s work that looks almost identical to yours. What’s with that? Why does the limited amount of work on your Behance pages not match up with the crowdsourcing work? I’m not making any sense of who did what.
Hey Just-B, that’s a fair observation. On crowdsourcing sites, similar briefs often lead to similar design outcomes across different users. Also, many designers only upload select or polished work to Behance, so it may not match everything from other platforms.
That’s a major point of concern for me also. I mostly avoid such non-guaranteed projects, as it seems clear that the client never intended to pay at all, and rather did so to gather design ideas.
I sincerely appreciate this feedback.
With my skills I have acquired so far, what I’m seeking currently, if possible, are non-crowdsourcing online platforms I can render services on. I must say it’s pretty frustrating submitting to projects, hoping to be the “lucky one”. I’d rather work with a client one-on-one. Less hit and miss.
I believe it may be an error in the site’s functionality. All works on the webpage should be from my portfolio only. (I also just checked again, but it seems to only be my work I see).
I created those two works on Behance as well. However, I recently just created the Behance portfolio, and I should ultimately update it with the other works.
Thank you once again, Just-B. I sincerely appreciate the feedback, and more guidance is always appreciated!
Very true
Similar design outcomes are not uncommon. Though one may up the game by making one’s design stand out, but that is still not guaranteed to give you the win. Sometimes (not all the time), I see the client still go for the inferior designs.
That can be frustrating, so I thought to explore better options, rather than crowdsourcing.
I wish to do that also. I will say that I am not proud of all my work on the first portfolio I still look forward to editing the whole portfolio leaving only selected designs.
Side note:
I’m currently in my second year of MSc studies in Bioinformatics, which has been quite stressful. Lately, I’ve found solace in having graphic design as a skill/passion, and am considering how it might fit into my overall path. Just figuring things out at this stage, to be honest.
I still look forward to editing the whole portfolio leaving only selected designs.