Originally Posted by robwod

I'm extremely curious to see this list as well. I have several projects over the next few months to keep someone busy, but this past week has proven to be an eye opener.

I have needed a single header designed -- very simplistic, minimal "light" font use, and a lightweight, fluid design... perhaps 150 pixels tall. This is something I can even do myself for how much effort is involved... I just have not the time. And I won't even get into some of the prices I have been quoted for what should be an hour's work - two at the most.

What really surprised me, however, is that every person claimed they could deliver what I want, and of course, every single one wanted money upfront. After receiving the money, they have either disappeared, have not had the courtesy to communicate any updates, or have sent me mockups that are woefully inadequate -- and not even close to the directions or the examples I have shown. Heck, I even went so far as to make a PSD they could use as a general guideline and I still end up with something using oversized tacky fonts and colors -- certainly not professional quality.

And I won't even get into trying to find a decent tgp site designer who won't come back with the run of the mill, cookie cutter circle jerk sites, complete with gaudy / tacky toon and oversized font -- and then actually want several hundred dollars for it for their overpriced cookie cutter. No thanks.

The search continues.

Thanks for starting this thread... I am quite serious to locate those who can deliver a level of professional quality, polished output and follow direction as requested without interjecting the usual tackiness I see on most portfolios.