I think you are missing the point. Just because you offer a tiny fee for a lot of work and people are prepared to take it doesn't mean it's fair or right. If you respect your vision and artist time and ability why would you want to cheapskate on it? As I said too it is up to people who wanted to take it up just don't like people taking advantage. I'm sure you know how much an illustrator would charge in the real world?

This is the real world. People are free to pick a project or not. Especially in the contest format. I myself work as an independent contractor and have the freedom to say yes or no to whatever jobs I would like. Some jobs I charge a lot and sometimes for the exact same job I charge way less. A variety of circumstances play into my decision. One man's trash is another man's treasure. So to some people this project is "trash" and that's fine, move along and pick another project. But to some this project is a "treasure" and those are the people that are choosing with their own free will to submit a design. Obviously we disagree so maybe we should agree to disagree.

In Asia, they work for 6 cents a day...and work hard too...its not a choice when that is all you know. I have to eat, have to pay my electricity and cable bill...so am I worth more than 5$ a page...hell yeah, but if that is all that is going...I'm gonna do it. My point being, yes it is unfair to only be willing to pay that much...but it is very unprofessional of those illustrators to take it out on you and I feel compelled to apologize on their behalf. They just have to suck it up and do the work...or deliver pizza on the weekends...high turnaround on that job, seems they are always needing drivers.

Cheers...good luck on your project. Sounds fun but I don't get out of bed for less than 25$ a page! Well...twist my arm and I'll do it for 15...but my final offer is 10!

Thank you for the support! I posted this fully expecting not to get any designs. It's all I can afford at this point so I thought I'd give it a shot and if it fell thru then try again in the future. Thanks for understanding.

Just to mention another point of view in this discussion - don't forget there are a lot of newcomers, students, people who are still learning, but have talents and need to prove themselves. Let more experienced designers work for high prize contests. Those who are not willing to pay much take their risk to either receive not so good designs, or luckily find a hidden talent.

Yes!

IT's all good. Yep i've said anyone can do it, it is a choice, yes too low a fee, yes I will choose better paying jobs and no I won't be doing pizza rounds to make up money (i'm actually doing quite well on DC) Sorry for sticking up for fellow designers whatever level or earning they are used to. Love to all :-)

Hi! Do you need the cover book as well? This project sounds fun and lovely. I won't be able to participate in this instance, but in case you haven't found any suitable design I'd be glad to have a tète a tète in a 1 to 1 project and to show you some ideas. You´re most welcome to take a look at my portfolio.
(Sorry for my English mistakes).

Best regards,
Joselyn.

Rezahales, I love your t-shirt designs, you're very talented. Congrats! :D

Thank you so much! :)