[KittyMartyr]

Hi, I'm doing a little research for an article I'm writing about Website design awards. I would like to hear everyone's thoughts regarding the value of winning a Web design award in getting new business. Does it help? Do prospective customers seem to think it makes you stand out from your competition? Have you ever had a customer tell you that the award(s) you won were a factor in deciding to work with you? I welcome all comments about the issue.

[Rotuy]

It goes without saying, doesn't it?

[seen.to]

Depends on the award. Some of them are completely worthless and are awarded just to get a link back to the award site.

[sarajs]

I think if the award is accredited by a professional body or organisation then it's going to install more confidence in a client, untimately i believe it's the quality of your work and your ablity to deliever that work that will pull the client in.

That said a high standard of work usualy does come with awards.

[freelancr]

Plenty of poorly designed or developed websites win awards, just look at the webbys, you pay to be nominated - so its a bit like a raffle really...

Though don't let this put you off doing the odd competition in your spare time to polish up your skills.

At the end of the day your portfolio tells a client/employer more about how good you are, no award or qualification is going to get you more work if you have a shit portfolio.

[cocknose]

I have newspaper design awards and it don't help me none. They just ask "So how did it feel to win"...
.... and I answer "erm... yeah... erm... fine... suppose"

[seen.to]

Originally Posted by freelancr

Plenty of poorly designed or developed websites win awards, just look at the webbys, you pay to be nominated - so its a bit like a raffle really...

Haha, nob jockey.

I've since redesigned (committee led ) and re-coded the whole site. Only took 8 months too

[webbizideas]

Hi,

What web awards do you feel it is worth applying for? The two that come to my mind are:

SXSW
webaward.org

Jeff

[musicdesign]

According to Martin Sorrell of WPP there is a direct correlation between those individuals or companies winning awards, and those companies that win new business. They are more often than not the same.
Entering awards and being named as a finalist is a very inexpensive form of promotion during the current economic climate. Look for niche awards that reflect your specialities. Check out Online Retail Awards, or Music Design Awards, for instance.

[WebPrezentacija]

KittyMartyr,

Winning design awards is of very little help a designer get new work. Personal recommendation is crucial getting new work. People are very suspicious because have little knowledge what is web design.

[solarisedesign]

I recently won the "Solarise Design Award for Outstanding Contribution To My Own Business", which sits nicely as an animated gif on my desktop.

It probably doesn't mean anything if you don't have a good portfolio to back it up. Clients love to see shiny examples of your work more than anything else.

According to Martin Sorrell of WPP there is a direct correlation between those individuals or companies winning awards, and those companies that win new business. They are more often than not the same.

I'd imagine those companies have high quality portfolios which is the reason they won the awards. But the high quality portfolios are probably what gets them new work, rather than the awards on their own.

[Preeharne]

Hello,

I'm new to this community and just had the urge to introduce myself and say "wuzup".

For once a reliable community with colors that I can read - which truly is refreshing!

I'm here to learn + get involved in the community. How would I best participate?

Bye For Now!

PS: - I am attempting to locate a long lost step-brother called Rhett Aderholt, Where could I locate him?

[woodss]

He's down the settee, left hand side.

[bjzaba]

I once read an article in Eye about the subject a while ago. If your writing something on the subject it might be a good idea to check out that issue.

[cocknose]

Preeharne please introduce yourself in the "Introductions Thread" and do not post in old threads.

Cheers.

[HalfMachine]

Some awards are very worthy to their recipients but it seems that 'The Usual Candidates' get selected as they have the label that ticks all the boxes for judges or Charlie went to Uni with the Creative Director and Senior Developer and are very good friends but nobody is supposed to know because Charlie presented them an award last year wink wink.

[johnjreeve]

After ten years of doing web design and development, awards have not done anything for us. We've won a few Addy's over the years and they just end up as certificates stuck up on the white board.

Most of our clients choose us based on word of mouth referrals and on the quality of work in our portfolio. Those two things are going to get you much further than awards.

If you think about it, awards are given by your peers, not your clients. It's a whole different set of criteria, one that your clients aren't really using to judge your work.

[niggle]

Awards are an industry, just like the rest. If the purpose of an award was really to find the best creative or technical work, why would it cost money to enter, to book your table at the "awards ceremony" and to collect your "trophy"?

The purpose of awards is to make money for those doing the awarding. Period. If you haven't grasped that yet, you probably think Simon Cowell runs The X-Factor because he wants to find incredible undiscovered artists.

[jannethayden]

Yes they do help in recognition