Just a note for those of you who are wondering why a web design company would outsource design work, and I'd like to hear your response. Some people in the world are simply coders who write software; they are left-brained people who deal more in logic than art (I'm one of them, I suck at art). Does that mean that I can't start a web-design company? It surely doesn't, just like it doesn't mean that you artistic types can't start a software company.

Some people who do freelance web design work choose to act as 'project managers', outsourcing things like the design and handling the coding and managerial stuff themselves. Myself, I recognize that I cannot deliver a quality design to my client, so it is better for myself and the client to have an expert do that work. I've very good at the other parts of the business, just bad at design.

I would argue that it is smart for someone to recognize that they're not good at something and outsource it to a professional. If they can get a client to pay $1000 for a site that cost $250 to design, they just made $750. If you don't think a prize is 'worthy' enough then why don't you just ignore it? I certainly don't see anything ignorant or disrespectful about outsourcing design work, for any amount; you don't have to enter the contest.

Just a thought.