If you are a graphic designer looking for some spare cash or you are a small business with a limited marketing budget, crowdSPRING may be the site for you. Sure, the name is a little unclear and the capitalizing the last word may annoy you a little bit but this website is a great graphic orientated marketplace. Essentially, how it works is that businesses post a project with a specific request for some creative work (logos, website, etc.), add a monetary value and post it. Graphic designers can then search the projects and submit a corresponding design in an attempt to win the account. 

While no one is going to get rich winning these accounts (varying in the range of $150-$1000 generally), it is a great way for graphic designers to both add to their portfolio and earn a little additional income at the same time. The real benefit is for the small business owners that may have an extremely limited marketing budget but still want a professional result. The traditional approach would involve hiring an ad agency or design firm, which could cost thousands.

People concerned with security of their intellectual property have nothing to worry about as crowdSPRING has intergraded several measures designed to protect both the buyer and the seller. The site even has integrated a ‘Pro Project’ feature for clients who required a high degree of discretion, even as far as to implement non-disclosure agreements with the graphic designers. The result is a completely secure site that serves as a valuable service to independent graphic designers and small businesses.

(Editors note: crowdSPRING is currently competing in the Wired Small Business Program, check out their online video and if you like you can give them your vote.)