Meet Jurgen – he is a freelance designer who works in print, web and other digital art. He is active in the design community and goes out of his way to help answer questions for other designers.
Jürgen Heiss – Austria
99designs handle: Jurgen
Projects won: 111
How did you get started in design?
I have loved graphic design for as long as I can remember. I was less than 10 years old when I had my first experience with Photoshop. I started with photo manipulations and restauration. Slowly – my interest in graphic design grew and I worked to broaden my skills.
I first explored color harmony. I tried to learn as much as I could about colors and how to combine them. I then dedicated myself learning everything there is to know about typography and now 10 years later… I still try to learn more and more – its a never ending process.
How do you get your design inspiration?
I get my inspiration in a variety of ways – a client with a really good design brief can be great source of inspiration all by itself. Nature is very inspiring- just walk around with open eyes and inspiration is everywhere! Things that may look like nothing special at the first can be really be inspiring upon a second look. Music and my daughter are other big resources of inspiration for me – children see the world with different eyes, listen to them and learn from them ;-)
What led you to start using 99designs.com?
I think I came to 99designs like most other designers – I was browsing through a few web pages and I stumbled upon it. In the very first moment I actually wanted to close the page but something stopped me… I’m happy I didn’t.
As I read more about 99designs – I loved the concept and thought I would give it try. I won the second contest I entered and I was HOOKED from that moment on – it was a great feeling that clients loved my designs. With many of the clients I have met at 99designs I have been able to cultivate great client relationship long after the contest ends.
I also found a lot of good designer friends on 99designs such as KhingKhing (actually I’ve known him from years before I came to 99designs) Maka, Gabriella, Digital Martin and Isuk.
Guys forgive me if I forget somebody :-)
What are three things designers can do to have success at 99designs?
I’ve gotten a few emails, skype calls and chat questions from people asking me this very same question…
What can we do to win. Is there a secret… if so tell me. Ok here is what I think about this:
1.) Choose a contest that fits YOU! Don’t choose a contest based on the highest prize. Choose your contests by your skills!
2.) READ THE BRIEF- Read it carefully, think about and read it again.
Many times I write down a few key words on a sheet of paper to remember the most important things… like Portrait, Business Card, No Female Color, Clean, etc… Now if you still have any open questions – ask the contest holder.
3.) Make nice mockups! I’ve seen many cases where designers have had great designs but their presentation was bad. There is no second chance for the first impression – so sell yourself as good as possible. Try to show your design in the best light and demonstrate your professionalism to the client. If the client wants a business card with metallic foil print, than make some mockups so that the client can imagine how the card will finally look. For example you can show a gold foil to the client in this way http://99designs.com/other-design-tasks/contests/business-card-design-needed-college-consultant-68335/entries/3
A good design with bad presentation can loose against an OK design with great presentation!!!! KEEP THIS IN MIND.
4.) Respect yourself, other designers, the contestholder and of course ME *lol* just kidding
What do you love most about being a designer?
My creative freedom! I love that every contest I join, every design I make is a
new challenge. I can take different approaches to reach a goal – there is no step 1, step 2, step 3. It’s just the result that counts. And as a designer, I love to chance to surprise clients with something totally unexpected.
Great interview! cool hints ! keep up the amazing work and ”speed” !
Best Luck and success Jurgen!
Thanks maka, happy you like it
If only I could be as successful as you! great article! I only just came to 99designs a week ago, and I’ve already found my skills and creativity improving. Thank you for the advice on how to succeed!
Great that you found already your creativity improving. Keep it rolling. All the best
What is that 3D card presentation on the foil!? That looks great!
I used a few tools and creativity to get this result. My key was to create an animated mockup which is viewable on 99design site. When I find time I will write maybe a short tutorial on doing such mockups ;)
But what did you use to create it:D?
Hi Jürgen, love your work ;-). Would be just great if you could show us a little bit about mockups. Have to make a corporate identity presantion anytime soon, and i find it pretty hard to get such good results. Would apppreciate your help a lot.
Great interview. Good job Jürgen I like your designs.
Thanks I appreciate your words
Hi, Jurgen!
I designed logo for UnitCaseSoftware.
It’s look like u did it.
Can u remove this example of your work or wrote logo designed by lisa156?
Thanks!
Hi Lisa, yes you did the logo this is just a mockup I did for the Bizcard, never told that I did the logo, but if you feel better I will speak with 99designs to change this mockup with some other from me ;-)
Well, anyway but what does the lisa’s logo in your visit card? Hmm.
HI Lisa,
I requested already that the change the example, but also when you hover over the example you can see in the title that this is an example of my business cards. Almost always the clients have already a logo(and I don’t know from who it is/was) when they want BizCards. But I try to understand you :) and hope that 99design will change it quick.
:)
Thanks, Jurgen!
Regards!
I have switched to a different business card design by Jurgen.
Congratulation Jurgen :-)
Serh gut!
ps: When I start on 99 your winnings made me keep trying, to reach first win…
Thanks for that
Thanks, feel free to contact me anytime when you need any help. the first win is sometimes the hardest. Just keep the designs rolling and the first win will come soon.
well, ur a monster. haha ur so cool dude! im inspired by your work. i wonder how do make those brochure effect. it looks like real! (im a noobT_T)Congratulations!
Oooh thanks :-) Fill free anytime to contact me to teach you how to mockup things.
Jurgen – you have done a fabulous job with my business card and your patience is appreciated! Thanks for all the time and effort you have put in. Top class! Bernadette
Thanks the pleasure was absolutly on my side, anytime again.
I read your interview that you sent me last night. Great! and thnaks for the advices, the part of reading the brief and read again is the best advice, I´ll try it next time. Also I got surprised with the gold effect busines card, I want a tutorial too. Well see you in a contest. Are you thinking in one special or many?
Ana
Hi Ana, I’m glad you found some advice. A Tutorial about the gold effect, hmm hopefully will find some time in the near future for this. Well we will meet again in some contest be sure :-) All the best and good luck.
great jurgen..!! conratulations..!! i hope i can be a professional just like you..
Thanks and I’m sure you can be like me :)
Cool, Thanks Sir Jurgen. You motivated me to much extend. Thanks again.
I’m happy that I give motivation to you. Just forget about the Sir ;) *lol*
Im new to designing stuffs, esp. with the programs, but im really liking it… this article really inspired me.congrats!! i’ll try to learn more to be able join contests inorder to challenge my skills.
Great looking forward to see you in contest :)
great,,
wow,,inspiring..great!
Hello! I really appreciated looking at your work! Very nice! How much do you do design? You on a full-time schedule? Do you ever need someone to help you with “overflow”? :) My husband and I work full time from home, and have a great turnaround time. ;-)
God Bless!
Sara Roney
owner
Sunrise Studios
thanks @dee & @Dominador R. Huete Jr.
nice jobwork!
thanks Himanshu Yadav
I love the way you think jurgen, thats so inspiring, keep moving dude… :D
Thanks :)
This was very helpful ^^ Also 2 questions: What programs do you use and are there any videos you’ve used to get where you are now or did you do it all by yourself?
I’m happy that it was helpful for you. Which Programs I use? This depense on the design but in most cases Photoshop and InDesign but also illustrator I use a lot :) Feel free to contact me if you have any further questions. My email is in my profil :)
Congratulation for your achievements Jurgen.
Impressive I’ve to say and the first tip ‘Choose a contest that fits YOU!’, you’re right, can’t agree more!
So, best of luck to you, keep the awesomeness up!
Best regards,
Ira.
Yes chossing the right contest is the key to success ;)
I like everything what you says in the interview, and I agree with you when you say : –’ there is no step 1, step 2, step 3. It’s just the result that counts. And as a designer, I love to chance to surprise clients with something totally unexpected’.
Thanks 4 share your experience with us !!!
Esther
Hi Esther,
I’m happy you agree and happy you like my interview
ooh yeah, i cant wait to get started now ! Great, unique and simple tips Jurgen…keep practicing is what, the underlying meaning is all about, (hope i’m right )
Yeah keep practicing and read the brief carefully after the wins will come :)
dear jurgen,…u boost up my spirit :) …..tq
Thanks I’m glad I was your spirit booster *g*
thanx Jurgen it was really helpful
I have not entered an of the contest yet but you inspired me to at least try to have a go
hope i do my best
thanx again…
Anytime again, hope you will enter soon.
Thank you
sdf
Kudos on a great interview. I have one question, where did you learn to make such impressive works? Was it a website, or a class, or did you major in graphic design?
Hi Brian,
I learn over many years from many different resources like websites, DVD’s, Magazines and books.
hi jurgen, thanks for that comments you make me inspired…. what tool do you have in making designs?
Hye can you tell me wich tools on i have to work or can you tell me any website referance
hi, would like to tell me which tool is use to making these?
Photoshop, Illustrator & Indesign in combination with some creative mind :)
Hey man, there r lots of things i wanna knw from u… mail me please..
N thanx for the bright ideas.. helped a lot..
Feel free to ask. But please understand that I’m a little busy so if you want to get same info you should ask not opposite ;)
Dear Jurgen
Your design is very creative, I like it. But which tool is use to making these? Please remind my your creating ideas.
Thanks
Hi, the tools I mostly use are Photoshop, Indesign and Illustrator depense on the project I’m working on.
hi! im jerry, thanks for your concern… but my problem is i dont have yet the software for making the logo’s and i’m new with this things…
could you help me?
If you don’t have the money for Illustrator or corel Draw check out Inkscape its a Freeware Vector application.
I love ur designs….
:)
that’s a great designs jurgen i like it.
Thank you soo much :)
Hi Jurgen, Highgate would prefer to keep biz cards as paper and limit colour to three and no special effects to keep print costs down.
I can see you produce clear eye catching designs and I look forward to receiving your thoughts
Regards
Michael
just one word, AWESOME!!
just 2 words, THANK YOU
You are totally Great designer..congratz of your 131 winning
Thanks kingkut you have great designs too.
Awesome Portofolio Jurgen Heiss and nice to meet you.
Cheers
TaoRapp
The pleasure is on my side @TaoRapp
Great work Jurgen. Impressive and motivational. Freelance and self tought very impressive. Its been my approach too but more on a web basis. Good luck for everything that comes your way mate.
Hi Jurgen,
Its good to share some secrets amongs fellow designer, keep it up your good work and all the best!
Thanks guy I wish you also just the best
This is a good perspective and thoughts about starting to be successful by identifying you skills and making proper bid in 99designs.com. Truly it helps us to be more wiser about the matter.
Thank you and Merry Christmas…
its a grate job jurgen
i also want to b best designer….
thnkyou
is there anybody who don’t wants *lol*
Thanks Rosendo to you also a great Christmas time and a happy new year :)
really inspiring Jürgen,,
i’m newcomer in 99designs, so i hope i will have my success like you ;)
best regards…
keep working on self and the success will come
What can I say is “you’re such a good artist in blood” amazing! I really like the way how you work with your designs, in fact I was challenged. Someday, I’ll be like you. Keep it up brother! :)
Thanks you soo much
how can do that…?? Lol..
what software to make all it??
I interest you design..
Tank for inspiration. .
^_^
how can do that…?? -> Just do it
what software….-> depense on the project (PS, AI, ID, Painter)
Good taste, great designs…
Hope I could make my own design as good as like yours.
Congrats, Jurgen.
thanks mate
I am very impressed by your help to every one. i am a new user to 99designs. I have not yet joined a contest. I am using Illistrator, Photoshop, and Corel Draw. I have no expirience with Indesign. do you suggest I need the Indesign program, or can I get away with out using it for some contests? I am going to purchase the program when I can.
Hi! Indesign is a vector program like Illustrator — Illustrator is for one-page layouts and Indesign is GREAT for multiple-page layouts like magazines, booklets, etc. You don’t necessarily need it if you have Illustrator but it doesn’t hurt to know as many programs as you can. ;)
Hope that helps!
Alli
Thank you Allison!
What else to tell :) As Allison told you already its great to know more than one program this gives you the flexibility to combine them in future projects.
Hi Jurgan,
Your work is absolutely beautiful and a step above the rest! It is very inspiring! Time for me to practice, practice, practice…
Congrats,
Megan
Thanks Megan, I will apprecate you r nice words just keep working on self and your improvements will come quicker than you can imagine :) All the best
–Jurgen
very inspiring
Thanks temy
This interview is helpful especially for beginners like me. Thank you!
brilliant ide
Hi Jargon,
i like the word “my creative freedom!”.
it says a lot.
Hi Iam shofiq Form Bangladesh. I want to Earn.
I like it, inspirational and informative.
Thanks :)
Thanks guys
creative and inspiring design.I like your design.
Thanks
luar biasa gaambarnya bagus sekali, sempurna….
terima kasih
Which University did you study at?
Hi Iam shoriful Form Bangladesh. I want to Earn.
Hi I am satrio from indonesia. Your dezign make me to learn more. May I do it or question with you about how make a “rich” dezign ? Thanks a lot and nice to know you .. Bb
like your advice.. it will help me more… thanks
Inspiring read! I joined 99Designs a week or two ago, but haven’t entered any contests yet (I think I was nervous!) But I think I will…right now. Thank you!
I like it, inspirational and informative.
Thanks :)
Thanks friends
good
Best of luck.I want as good as you.
Gracias Jurgen, eres un gran profesional y mejor persona. Exitos!
Muchas gracias, Claudio
amazing.. i cant wait to start.. my problem is i dont have any computer unit yet for now…
Wish you all the best, some other designers also starts designs at internet coffees and with the first wins the bought the our computer :) So try to focus on contests that really fits you and not on the money, and you will hopefully have your own computer very soon.
Hey very inspiring.I just recently joined 99designs while browsing through.. Not yet joined a contest but I am going to take your words into account and try and find something that suits my interests.. hopefully I will be as successful as you.
Wish you all the best, see you in contest :)
Great designs, all what I can say is that you are talented man.
Thanks buddy
very much inspiring Jurgen… have learnt few things from your talks
I’m happy to hear that you learned something from it :)
WOW! Very inspiring work!
love your work!!
Hey Jurgen, question. what would you say would be the best thing to do for someone that who is 24 and has only 2 years experience with adobe programs? what can people who have not been involved with adobe programs since the age of 10 do?
Hi Reed, don’t look just the years for experience its a nice factor but not the only thing. Try to find some field you absolutly love. Like Print Design, Logo Design, Web Design and so on. Try to join contest you are really interested in. Most important learn from your mistakes. thats the best tip I can give you :)
very good desion
god bless each day of yorr life with happines
thanks buddy same to you.
Congratulation Jurgen
great interview, thanks
Is people like you keeps me moving, keep it simple the rest always follows..Blessed Jurgen rock/rock on
mast
Hi Jurgen, nice interview and especially nice work. I like your style. Many thanks for your tips! ;)
waw , i don’t say again
Thanks Jurgen. You are an inspiration to me.
Thanks Emily, happy you get some inspiration out of it :)
Thanks for the nice words guys and girls :)
Hi jurgen
thank’s for inspiring word “Choose a contest that fits YOU!”
Not on high prices,i’ll make small step not big one can’t i handle
PS:please make the design tutorial for newbie like me.
Thnx Jurgen,its inspiring for new designers.Plz give me some suggestions who are very new in designing.
Hey Jurgen thx for all the inspiration i too started young in the arts and got into mechanical drafting and such then i started with a company swepping floors because i still didnt think i had anything to offer then as time persisted i started out silk screen printing corpate and giftware i worked my way up to doing all the graphic layouts ive worked with MacDonalds Chysler Ca. Hond,a Acura CN rail Pacific rail Via rail Cristie biskets etc. Every big company in Ca but the company couldnt afford computers so i recently went to college to learn photoshop and im just getting into the graphics again well from cut, paste, with wax is a long way from Photoshop the time thats saved is really the bonus here i appreciate all the help i can get from all the people in the trade its certainly the best family of people when it comes to work the creative side of it seems to be the driving force behind such a great trade i love the fact that everyone supports each other to get things done and in the end thats what its all about making the customers happy and enjoying what we do so we can go hone at night and feel good about what we’ve accomplished thx to all for the support James A Thomson Graffiti II Graphics.
Hi Jurgen
You are really good. I was inspired after browsing at your designs.
Dear Jurgen,
It’s Great Interview! very valuable for designer. I just join the 99designes. Actually, i was working in the MNC company 12 years. Now i started my small design unit. my website is http://www.kaiserdesign.in. So, i don’t have too much experience of freelance. I need your valuable feedback. Please spend 5mins for my work.. I’ll be very thank full to you.
Keep it up!
Regards,
Sonal
Thanks for your insight. I just joined a couple of weeks ago. Trying to get established as a graphic/web designer. Graduated as a web designer and need to get some business. I will take your advice about inspiration and picking a contest.
hello sir,
I am new to designs and i know ly photoshop and i am learning corel draw. I had done some small designs during my college. I am interested in doing these kind of works and will work dedicate. Could u guide me a proper channel to learn abt these things thro any known websites
good, i like your designs, hehe
hm .. maybe im late, to say Congratulations for you Mr. Jurgen. U’re AWESOME really AWESOME.
so so many questions you can not answer yet,
by Jurgen fans