I wish I had found 99designs years ago. It is a fantastic platform for designers of all levels, but amateurs specifically should pay attention here: this is hands-down the best way to get exposure, experience, and inspiration as a new designer. You will get your work in front of clients right away, receive priceless feedback, learn the standards of the industry, and become accustomed to both the disappointment of failure and the euphoria of success. Experiencing all of these ad infinitum across a constant stream of new projects will provide you with knowledge and expertise much more quickly than anywhere else. It will harden your creative spirit, smooth out your edges, and refine your artistic eye. Or, it may reveal that this industry is not for you. Either way, I believe every aspiring designer should start their career on 99designs and use it as a launching point for reaching their professional goals.
