Where to find high quality (affordable) web designers?

[Loganshark]

One quick opinion:

We have used a number of developers from eLance.com and have always been satisfied. As with any design project, the more information you are able to provide (in terms of what you want), the happier you will be with the finished product. Most designers will have a portfolio with samples of their previous work.

Prices will vary depending on the scope of the project, time frame, and how experienced/qualified the designer. You can get an idea of what people are paying for different projects by searching the job listings that other people have posted, and how much they are offering.

In our experience, eLance and similar sites are best when you know exactly what you want and the scope of the work is relatively small. Often times those developers are in different parts of the world and communication can be difficult (time zones, language barriers). For large, detail-intense projects, you might do better to find someone local or at least within the U.S. It might end up costing a bit more, but like Steve mentioned "you get what you pay for" and if you end up with a website that you don't like, the money you saved won't matter.

[alexhoug]

This is so true and what makes this designer recruitment process even harder. Finding that balance and even someone that is near my area that is good.

[alexhoug]

I have had some experience doing this, like when shooting a video, I find an intern at a local TV station who has access to nice equipment and have them shoot some video for me, it worked out great!

I like the reminder!

[alexhoug]

Email sent

[alexhoug]

Very good points, I will take everything you said into consideration when going into this web development project.

[alexhoug]

Any insight on the design contests? They seem interesting.

[firstconversion]

Probably best to say where you are based, then get personal recommendations from that area and meet the designer in person.

I can give you great designers in London and I know Luke Jones is a great UK based designer and also contributes to SEOmoz a lot, so maybe get hold of him via DM www.seomoz.org/users/profile/139920

You could try here as well http://www.seomoz.org/marketplace/resumes/service/2 <- people who have tagged themselves with design (altho its a bit spammy)

[kchandler]

I've always had a great experience with 99designs but you want to make sure you give a lot of requirements and inspiration if you want to get exactly what your looking for. I've only used them for logo work though so i can't give much feedback for other types of projects. What are your price points?

[alexhoug]

Around $500 for now. The project I am working on is a family one so I didn't charge them nearly as much as I normally would.

[mosaicpro]

I think it's about what you want to get and for how much.

It all starts from there.

For example:

budged : 1k  - for a 8-10 page website with no complex features you should be able to find good designers.

budged : 300  - for a 8-10 page website with no complex features you should be able to find poor designers that could still do the job.

It's also about luck to find a quality and reliable designer. (depends on background, location, etc)

Hope it helps.

[BeTheBoss]

Spec work is terrible and undervalues the industry. I say you get what you pay for. http://www.no-spec.com/