in which wil asks the readers a question

It's years out of date, so I've been considering either closing or updating the WWdN Cafepress store. I can't design for shit, though, and even if I could, I don't have time to do it.

Rather than just close it down, I thought I'd pose a question here: I'm sure there are lots of good designers and creative people who read my blog, so if I had a contest to design things like shirts and stickers and stuff, would anyone be interested in participating?

The winner would get a signed Happiest Days hardback and credit + links to the winner's website, blog, store, whatever.

I would probably use the "Hey, that's awesome!" method of choosing a winner, which may lead to two or even three designs making it into the store. All winning designs would get the same book + credit + link prize, of course.

I'd have to find some contest rules to use somewhere, but it would probably be one of those things where you hold onto the rights to your submission, and I get a royalty-free license to use it commercially until the sun burns out, etc., so it's kind of like work for hire, I guess.

I don't know if this is the best idea in the world, so let me know what you think in the comments, mmmkay?

Comments

[Jon Snow]

I think it's a great idea, but I will leave the creativity to the creative types.

BTW - just finished JUST A GEEK (you signed it for me at the Festival of Books), and it was, as they say in my native homeland, wicked awesome!

[raphael]

I'm a designer, it sounds like fun to me, I'd do it, why don't you try it and see what happens?

[Aaron]

Hell yeah...I run a freelance design business...Wet Frog Studios...and I'd love to take part in some sort of contest. Keep me posted! [www.wetfrogstudios.com]

[kaellinn18]

I think the idea might be ok, if the terms were adjusted a little. Since, in your original proposal, the creator is maintaining the rights to their creation, what's to prevent them from selling it in their own store and undercutting you once they've gotten whatever publicity they can from you? I know your motto is "don't be a dick" and that the majority of the people who frequent this site probably wouldn't do this. Let's be honest, though; this is the internet. I'm just trying to point out possible issues.

[Dex]

You know, every time you use the word "awesome" I can't help but think... "like a hot dog"

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0rYT0YvQ3hs

Sorry, I haven't taken the time to figure out if I can post a true linky link...
I registered an account today, after having followed your blog on and off for the past year, just to tell you that :)

[pojut]

I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

That being said, I think this is a great idea...that also being said, I agree with a previous poster; I would highly recommend in the rules somewhere that YOU gain total control and ownership over anything that you choose...it's the smart business thing to do.

[Bog]

You are so on, man. Yeth, pleathe.

[Meili D]

Sounds like a great idea, though my talent doesn't completely lie in that area...

[Hicks]

This idea rocks, and you should roll with it.

[Jake]

I agree - sounds like a great idea. Also agree with keep the ownership control of the winners as a just in case sort of thing.

[DJC]

Sounds like a great work-avoidance program to me (for those of us who don't doodle-for-pay but love-to-doodle). A great way for fans to give back and get swag in return.

[Laurie J]

I would, and I release all my work that's not work-for-hire under a CC license (BY-NC-SA, usually, but I'd go BY-C-SA for this.)

[nwc_orca]

I don't know whether I'd be able to come up with anything, but I think it would be a fun idea!

[killcaiti]

that is certainly a terrific idea. =)

[starshine_diva]

LOVE it! :D

[Fricka]

I think it's a great idea, though as a designer, I would like to keep control of my own design because I never know when I might need it for something even if it's just a mash up of old designs. Your original idea of you getting royalty free rights appeals more to me.

In terms of "what if the designer sells it in their own shop". If you are concerned about that you can have the designer sign a variation on a non compete clause.

But really unless the designer has much more google fu than your webpages your's is going to be what's found first even if you had two shirts put up.

[barrymcw]

I'd throw some designs your way, sounds like fun.

Alternate prize for contest winners - playing an NPC in a tabletop gaming session?

Cheers

[VT]

Wil,

IANAL, just a member of GAG, but what you're looking for is an all-rights contract, where the artist gives up any rights to any income generated by the image, apart from a single payment up front (usually). Work-for-hire strips the creator of authorship as well as rights to the income generated by the image, which isn't quite what you're looking for.

Normally, I'm not too keen on either type of work, but since it's you, and you can be counted on to not be a dick -- sure, I'd be game for a contest.

[Amy Sisson]

Don't know how feasible this is, but I rather like the idea of the winner getting some compensation if, for instance, sales/profits reach "x" amount. Or you could say something like 5 cents for every sale, but that you only pay out once it reaches $25 each time. (A place called Anthology Builder has a set up like that where payouts only occur when the "account" reaches $20.)

I'm not competing, so this isn't self-interest. I just thought it would be a nice way to reward the winner(s), without obligating yourself to shelling out lots of cash if nothing much happens.

[Jenne]

I would so be up for that. I've been very bad about doing artsy things lately and as long as I got to use it in my portfolio, I'd be happy to.

[Chris Radcliff]

Jonathan Coulton did a shirt contest recently, and the results were amazing. I think he used Pixish, but that's the extent of my half-remembered knowledge.

[Lisa]

I like the overall idea. CafePress charges a lot of money for what they do.

There are places you can order items in lots of 20, 50, 100 and get a far better price -and selection. Of course you'd have to store and ship the stuff, but then you'd also have it handy to take with you to shows.

I also like the idea of a contest or ongoing contests, or whatever. I would view an entry as fun stuff, and wouldn't mind handing over copyrights in exchange for a mention in the blog and an the ability to have a signature/url in the image itself.

[Dreamrock]

I think it sounds like a great idea, but I'm not necessarily the most talented person in the visual arts sense. I'd certainly give it a shot though.

[Kudra]

I am a sucker for designing t-shirts for people that are cool. I will get to work. Just give me a deadline.

[Alan]

Turn the idea into a business instead of a contest. Order "small" batches of shirts and sell them on your conference tours. Pay the designers a share of shirts sold. Maybe you order in lots of 100 and pay the designer when the batch has sold.

You'll end up attacting the best design talent that way. By making small batches you'll make the shirts more valuable for the buyers.