Design Hope for Startups 2009

by Jonathan Longnecker

So we’ve been thinking a lot about how the economy is affecting businesses and individuals. What I find truly inspiring is hearing stories of really brave people giving up all that is safe, embracing the unknown and starting a new business in the face of an economic downturn. We know what it’s like to start a business from scratch, but I wonder if we would have the balls to do it in these uncertain times. The more I think about these people who are risking all they have in search of creating something revolutionary and forging a better life for themselves and their families, the more I want to help them out.

And that’s exactly what we’re going to do. We’re going to design and build one lucky new business’ website for FREE. Yep, for free. Not only that, but we’re going to put the whole design process up on this blog as we go and get feedback from the community.

We’re going to design and build one lucky new business’ website for FREE.

Are we crazy? Probably. We’re insanely busy right now and fitting it in will be interesting. But I can’t get this out of my head. We want to keep the entrepreneurial spirit alive even in these tough times. Read on for more details.

What You Get

Kick Awesome Design from FortySeven Media.

We’ll make it look good and work even better. Then we’ll put it in ExpressionEngine so you can update it yourself. Keep in mind we’re looking at a medium-sized, simple site with great content that’s published on a regular basis. Huge custom apps and social networking sites probably wouldn’t be a good fit for this promotion. We’ll be glad to throw in a logo design or re-design as well.

ExpressionEngine license from EllisLab

In addition to the license of ExpressionEngine, EllisLab has also offered a Forum Module and Multiple Site Manager Expansion if you need it. That’s potentially $500 worth of software for free!

1 Year of Hosting from EngineHosting

EngineHosting is generously dontating a year of their Shared Hosting S-2 Account. We hear their servers are rock solid and the support is top notch, friendly and personal. Worth around $240.

Email Design and Integration by Newism

Newism wanted to add another dimension to the promotion and has offered to design a email newsletter campaign and integrate it with Campaign Monitor. Now you’ll be able to update your clients in style!

20,000 Email Credits from Campaign Monitor

The wonderful people over at Campaign Monitor are huge supporters of the design community and are donating almost $200 worth of email credits so you can send great looking emails, have access to amazing reports, track your progress, and not have to pay for it for a long time.

Free Set of Icons from StockIcons

As if all this weren’t enough, the generous folks at the IconFactory are donating a set of icons from StockIcons! Very awesome indeed.

Details

So you think you deserve a free website? Read through the details below to see if this project is the best fit for you.

1. How we work

For this project we’ll work on a 3 comp basis. So if we’re doing the logo we’ll start with 3 variations, pick one or two and refine up to 3 times from there. Same with the site except we’ll start with wireframes and then move to design.

2. Be open to the process

We will be publishing each part of the design process on the blog, so you have to be ok with that kind of openness and transparency. Of course, the final decisions are up to you, but having an army of creatives giving input will make it interesting!

3. Convince us

So usually when you mention the word free, you get a lot of response. We’re only picking one start-up business so you’re going to have to convince us why it should be you. A couple of pre-requisites:

• Your business was started no earlier than 2009
• You’re based in the United States
• Your product has to be outstanding
• You deeply believe in what you’re doing
• You’re personally invested (i.e. no entrepreneurs who have 5 other projects going on)
• You really need an awesome website to make it work
• You can be flexible on the timeline

Stats

Request Deadline: May 22, 2009 Project Start: TBD Project End: Will depend on the project

Spread the Word

In order for everyone that needs this to hear about it, we’ve got to get the word out and we need your help. Tweet it, Bookmark it, Digg it, Blog about it, and by all means, participate in the design process when it gets up and running. And don’t forget to follow it through our RSS feed or Twitter.

Contact Us

If you have read the above and think you’re the best fit, fill out this form and make us believe.

If you’re a stock photography company and want to partner with us, contact us here.