Contest Limitation
What is Contest Limitation?
At 99designs, quality and trust within our design community are of the utmost importance. As a way to motivate new and emerging designers to improve their skill sets, we set limits on contest participation.
Therefore, designers are limited to 10 contests per month until 99designs has reviewed their portfolio, onsite performance and professionalism to determine the limit can be lifted. After the limitation is lifted, designers may enter as many contests as they’d like.
How does Contest Limitation work?
The current limit for designers is 10 contests in any 28 day period. Each of these 10 contests is on a rolling counter, meaning the contests don't all "reset" at once.
It may help to think in terms of these as 10 open "slots". 28 days after you have used one of your slots, it will become available again. This method is used to avoid a rush at the end of a calendar month.
Why am I limited?
Designers that signed up on 99designs prior to Contest Limitation have also been reviewed and may still be limited. These emerging designers still need to demonstrate an advanced level of our required criteria (listed below).
Time on site is not a factor in contest limitation.
How do I become unlimited?
Contest limitation is based on how well a designer performs on the following criteria:
Designer quality
- Technical Execution: How strong your design program skills are, and whether you deliver the correct files.
- Knowledge of Design Principles: How well you execute typography, visual hierarchy, composition and color in your designs.
- Professionalism: Exceptional attitude, communication and politeness with clients and fellow designers.
- Conceptual Thought: How well you avoid generic, and submit designs with creative concepts.
Adherence to 99designs' site policies
- Concept Originality: All designs must be your original concept and work.
- Code of Conduct: Respect, honesty and professionalism are required at all times.
- Stock Images & Clip Art: All images must be properly declared and no third-party images are permitted in logo, illustration and button/icon contests.
- A professional and complete profile page: A professional photo of yourself, your best work and a completed "about me"
A few times per year, we also host a week-long open enrollment period where designers can directly apply to have their limitation lifted. These are the only times designers will be able to submit their portfolio and request to become unlimited.
How do I improve my design quality?
Generic and common concepts
Using stock images correctly
Typography
Design basics
The creative process
Looking for more hands-on help?
Share your designs to get peer feedback for improving your work.