FAQ

Getting Started

It's a chance to participate in a competition against other designers, during which you create the next big marketing idea -- a logo, website, PowerPoint template, mobile app interface, vector drawing, etc. -- and get paid for your efforts regardless of whether or not we choose your design.

In our Classic Challenges, every participant receives a participation rate, which varies depending on the project, and the winner gets an even bigger prize. We think it's a pretty sweet deal.

We feel we're unique in that you'll always get rewarded for turning in your efforts. Our philosophy is that if you're taking the time to show us what you're capable of, then you should have something to show for it.

For our Tryout Challenges, participants don't receive a participation rate, but everyone is eligible for the grand prize. Plus, the top 3 participants in each Tryout Challenge get added to our pool of freelancers for regular, ongoing projects -- i.e., paid work!

No. We will never charge you to participate.

We handpick our Challenge participants based on their expertise in the area of the project.

All artists are invited to participate in certain Challenges -- you can't search for contests and join them on your own.

All work is owned by Infinitely Big upon acceptance of payment.
If an artist does not receive payment (including participation rate or grand prize), the rights are retained by the artist.

See our Getting Paid section of the FAQ.

Our system is a bit different from other contest-based sites. You won't see any active projects when you log in. When we have a project for which you qualify, you will receive an invitation to participate via email. You’ll be able to read the design brief in the invitation email and then decide if you want to participate or not.

***Please be sure to add yougotwork@infinitelybig.com to your email's safe sender list so your invitations won't get sent to the spam folder.***

Challenge Basics

Each Challenge project will have a pre-determined window of time, which will vary from project to project, during which you can enter as many submissions as you'd like. We'll provide feedback throughout this period.

Once the contest ends, we will narrow the selections down to the finalists and present the designs to the client, who will then determine the winner within 30 business days (typically much sooner).

Make sure you click the "Accept" link in the email if you plan to participate.

We send out more invitations than there are spots in a Challenge, and the projects often fill up quickly. If you don't click Accept, there's a chance you could miss out on the Challenge.

This specifies exactly what we are looking for in your submissions. It's your guide to creating a winning design.

We think this is the fairest way to run Challenges. It protects both you and our client. When submissions are hidden, no one can be accused of copying designs.

At the end of the Challenge, the winning design will be revealed to all participants.

Click "Accept" in the invitation you received via email.

Yes, the design brief (or project description) is included in your invitation email.

You'll receive the participation rate as long as you submit at least one design for the Challenge project. The participation rate remains the same regardless of how many designs you submit.

Our Classic Challenge projects are limited to 10 participants at most, which increases your chances of winning.

For Tryout Challenges, we open participation to any number of artists, but typically no more than 30.

We think this is the fairest way to run Challenges. It protects both you and our client. When submissions are hidden, no one can be accused of copying designs.

At the end of the Challenge, the winning design will be revealed to all participants.

Participating in a Challenge

We sure do!

  • Read the design brief/project description... and read it twice.
    This is where you'll find all the details regarding what the client wants to see in your designs. If you have any questions, don't wait -- email the project manager right away for clarification.

  • Submit early and submit often.
    Our seasoned project managers provide star ratings and feedback on nearly every submission. The sooner you submit a design, the more time you have to receive feedback and make adjustments, which increases your chances of winning the Challenge.

  • Incorporate our feedback.
    We provide feedback to guide you in the direction of winning... Take the time and opportunity to make changes to your designs based on our feedback (and ask for clarification when needed), and you'll be that much closer to winning the grand prize.

How do I upload a submission to a contest?

  1. Sign in to the Project Management Tool
  2. Scroll to the "Participating Challenge Project(s)" section. Click View next to the project
  3. Click Upload File(s) to add your submission.
  4. Select your source art file.
  5. Wait for the flashing dot(s) on the Upload window to turn green, then select your thumbnail image(s). You can choose more than one thumbnail (for example, you have a PSD file for a website design, and each layer contains a different page, so you'll upload a thumbnail for each layer).
  6. Enter a description for each thumbnail.
  7. Click Submit.

Yes, you can submit as many designs as you'd like.

Yes. For Illustrator files, fonts must be outlined; for Photoshop files, include editable layers. The acceptable file types will be noted on the upload window for each project.

Because of a combination of our short turnaround times, international time zones, changes in client requests, and the need to show the top logos in the best light possible (sometimes animated, sometimes large format prints), we need the source files to help sell the client the concept.

If your design does not end up winning, we will never show it publicly.

The project manager and/or our client.

Logos should always be created in a vector program such as Adobe Illustrator, and all fonts must be outlined. The project manager will specify the file type for other types of projects.

Yes, please provide a description for each design you submit to a Challenge project. A meaningful description will help explain your design choices to the client.

Click on your submission to open the feedback window. Here, you can add comments to respond to feedback.

We will provide a star rating on all the designs submitted to Challenge projects; however, sometimes things get busy and the project manager may not be able to review all designs as soon as they are submitted. Please be patient.

Star ratings are subjective. They are not based on your ability as a designer, but on whether or not the project manager or client thinks your design best suits their needs.

Star ratings are meant to serve as your guide to submitting great designs that have the potential to wow the client and win the grand prize. Here’s a basic outline of how they work:


  • 1 Star: Please try a different approach.

  • 2 Star: The design has potential.

  • 3 Star: You’re heading in the right direction... maybe make a couple of suggested changes.

  • 4 Star: Great job. We’ll show this design to the client (the design is considered a finalist).

  • 5 Star: Woohoo! You’ve won the contest!

The project manager's contact information is included on the left side of the screen when you view a project.

The client has up to 30 business days to choose the winning design, but it typically takes much less time.

No. Your design is already uploaded to the Project Management Tool and an email is auto-generated to the project manager.

After a Challenge Ends

Yes, you can see the winning design when the contest is over, but other participants' non-winning entries will remain hidden.

It can take up to 30 business days to choose a winner, though it typically takes much less time.

Yes. If the client loves more than one design, each winner will be paid the full prize amount.

All work is owned by Infinitely Big upon acceptance of payment.
If an artist does not receive payment (including participation rate or grand prize), the rights are retained by the artist.

No. Per the non-disclosure clause of our Terms of Use, you are not allowed to make public any designs you submit to us if they contain anything we provided -- name, tagline, template, design to be included, etc.

Please respect our clients' privacy. Failure to follow the requirements of the non-disclosure clause will result in your being banned from all future Challenge projects.

Getting Paid

When a Challenge ends, we will pay the participation rate (if applicable) to all participants within one week. After a winner is selected, we will pay the balance of the grand prize to that person.

For example, if the participation rate is $100 and the grand prize is $1,000, we would pay the remaining $900 to the winner once selected.

You'll be notified via email that payment is on its way.


We pay a few ways:


  • If you are a U.S.-based participant, we will pay you with a check sent via U.S. mail

  • If you are an international participant:
    • You'll be paid through Paypal, if it is available in your country
    • You'll be paid by another payment option if Paypal is not available

Please make sure your payment information is up to date. When you are signed in to the Project Management Tool, go to My Account in the navigation bar at the top of the page and choose "My Information."

Funds are disbursed in U.S. dollars. We do not pay currency conversion fees.

All About Your Account...

When you are signed in to the Project Management Tool, go to My Account in the menu bar at the top of the page and choose "Change Password."

Click here to reset your password. We'll email you a new one!

When you are signed in to the Project Management Tool, go to My Account in the menu bar at the top of the page and choose "My Information."

Yes. We need this information in order to pay you! Also, if you live in the U.S., we'll need you to complete a W-9 for tax purposes.

We'd hate to see you go, but if you really aren't interested in participating in projects, you can deactivate your account. When you are signed in to the Project Management Tool, go to My Account in the menu bar at the top of the page and choose My Information. Click "Deactivate Account."

Please click on the link, indicate that you are not a U.S. person, and click Submit.

Our Guidelines and Policies

If you don't find the answer to your question

please don't hesitate to Contact Us now!