Vermonters Len Britton and Bradford Broyles (pictured) are using an online contest to find a logo for their planned ski movie. This is the movie project we reported on back in March — not one of those “ski movies” that’s basically just cool skiing footage, but a “comedy-drama” type of thing that happens to be set at a ski resort. Tremors director Ron Underwood is helming the production.
Broyles says the production will get ski footage at Sugarbush and visit “selected Vermont towns for the off-mountain portions.” In keeping with the general Vermontiness of the project, its original working title was Woodchucks, but that’s since been changed to Down Hill: The Movie.
From now through Monday, August 29, the filmmakers are inviting designers to submit logos incorporating that title at the crowdsourcing site 99designs.com. They’d love to see some Vermont participation, says Broyles. Enter the contest here, or check out the 93 designs (and counting) entered so far. The ski-goggle-shaped logo seems to be doing well…
This article appears in Aug 24-30, 2011.
Got something to say?
Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!
Much of what is being said above, on both sides of the argument, has merit. It sounds like there’s an acknowledged “roll of the dice” going on. It’s in response to needing an alternate, less expensive way, of finding a logo after failed attempts. Hearing that THREE attempts were made to “go local” and that none produced leaves me wondering what part of the process failed. The constant in all three of these attempts was the client. I wonder why this approach has (crowd sourcing) has taken hold of the design industry if not for the lack of understanding about how good design happens. Wouldn’t most of us think it ridiculous to find a doctor or lawyer in the same way? I’d suggest that in these cases we generally know and likely have a measure of what “poor” service would result in. Also, we clearly understand what it takes to be an expert in these areas. As a designer I’m continually in education mode. But that’s a good thing. The more people know, the more they see these design sourcing sites for what they are. Sites like “99Designs” provide me with good anecdotal stories that SUPPORT my value; not undermine it. 3 months after utilizing one, my cousin received a cease and desist letter from the company whose logo was being infringed upon by his “cheap” one. My biggest concern doesn’t stem from feeling threatened. It’s that there are designers out there going this route to get work. Why don’t THEY value their contribution more?