I almost started a cover contest on 99design, since they have this special feature for it, but I never actually put it up. On one hand, I have this feeling it would be impolite to just have these artists work on a design that's ultimately not getting us. On the other hand, it does seem like a good way to get some examples more relevant than a random portfolio. Before I'm considering the contest-thing again, I'd like to know if anyone amongst us has any experience with this.
I'm not sure why it matters if the winning design will ever get used. My understanding is that the winning artist gets paid. What you do with the winning entry is up to you. That said, you can commission a lot of different cover gigs on Fiverr.com for less than the price of one contest on 99Design.
If I'm not mistaken I have to pay to start a competition, but I'll admit right now that I didn't properly look into it yet. And it's true, it shouldn't matter if the 'losers' don't get their work used. I just kinda get the feeling I'm basically saying "dance monkey, dance!" putting up a competition. It's more of a me-problem than a them-problem, really. True. And the difference in quality proves you right. Plus, my rule of thumb is that the place that doesn't show prices is probably above my budget. Mind you, I just came across what seems to be a rather young lady on Fiverr who almost literally works for peanuts, whom I commissioned just to see what she would do with my idea. Don't know if her - admittedly pleasing - art style will suit my needs in the end, but I spend more money on cigarettes in a week than she's asking, so... fukkit.
