Author Topic: A new concept in online Microstock marketplaces + 50 Euro reward. (Read 6077 times)

Sepia100 · « **on:** June 02, 2019, 04:23 »

Dear reader,

For my master thesis in Human Centered Multimedia I'm researching if interpersonal communication in online microstock marketplaces could improve user experience and benefit the three stakeholders involved. These stakeholders are the contributors of microstock, the buyers and the marketplace itself.

I have posted an inquiry before on this website. Based on these results this concept was developed. See link towards topic below.
https://www.microstockgroup.com/microstock-analytics/exploring-the-user-experience-and-(unmet)-needs-of-microstock-stakeholders/new/#new

I have developed an interactive prototype of a new concept that I would like you to try. This interactive prototype could be used in microstock marketplaces, the design is based upon unmet needs microstock contributor and buyers have.These needs were researched in a inquiry among microstock marketplace users. Some of the main findings in this research where that contributors like to learn more and receive more insight in the needs of microstock buyers through a form of interpersonal communication. On the other end, microstock buyers state that there is room for improvement on successfully finding the content they are looking for.

This interactive prototype is integrated as a addition in a existing marketplace Shutterstock, one of the largest microstock marketplaces in the world.

I have developed two short use cases, one for microstock buyers and one for microstock contributor and at the end a short questionnaire to learn from your user experience.
This whole process will take only 15 minutes of your time. Your participation is much appreciated.

Please note, there are two different inquiries, one for contributors and one for microstock buyers, please follow the correct order and links as described below.

The interactive prototype (for both microstock buyers and contributors):
https://xd.adobe.com/view/5b4f8808-4703-4cdc-720d-f3e55f404ba6-2d7e/

Microstock contributors
Step 1: Test interactive prototype.
Step 2: Fill in inquiry about interactive prototype
https://forms.gle/W4TQ9QbcynyDEuiL7

Microstock buyers
Step 1: Test interactive prototype.
Step 2: Fill in inquiry about interactive prototype
https://forms.gle/krg64SwwJJQf1aiP7

If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to contact me.

Hugo Kurk
hugokurk89@yahoo.com
Master thesis Human Centerd Multimedia
Universiteit van Amsterdam
Student nr. 11923741

Reward
At the end of my thesis project, I will sent the thesis, thus including the results to those who are interested in the outcome of this research. If everything goes according to plan, this will be at the beginning of august. You will find a possibility to leave your email at the end of the inquiry. Before sending the thesis I’m randomly going to pick two participants who will receive 25 euro each. So please leave your email if your interested.

Sepia100 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 09, 2019, 05:00 »

No reactions so far. Still looking for your expert opinion.

The less reactions the higher your chance of winning the reward.

Justanotherphotographer · « **Reply #2 on:** June 09, 2019, 06:52 »

Yuk. This concept is already out there on all those "logo contest" websites, where buyers get thousands of hours of work and hundreds of drafts to choose from for a few dollars. IStock also did it for a while for vectors (can't remember what it was called). Anyway, sucks hard for contributors.

Unless I am misunderstanding (which I just realised I could well be!) and the request only goes to the one contributor? In that case it is not a bad idea, but I suspect if it was implemented it would end up being like above, with requests being posted publicly and contributors competing. It would be good for the client and agency with only us poor mugs getting the sh*ft so bound to happen.

georgep7 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 09, 2019, 07:42 »

offtopic (kind of) funny reaction, (no offence Hugo

)

"...it must be an agency scheme for sure, labeled paying back 50$ but actually giving "me" 25...."

heheheh!

Noedelhap · « **Reply #4 on:** June 09, 2019, 13:44 »

Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on June 09, 2019, 06:52

Yuk. This concept is already out there on all those "logo contest" websites, where buyers get thousands of hours of work and hundreds of drafts to choose from for a few dollars. IStock also did it for a while for vectors (can't remember what it was called). Anyway, sucks hard for contributors.

Unless I am misunderstanding (which I just realised I could well be!) and the request only goes to the one contributor? In that case it is not a bad idea, but I suspect if it was implemented it would end up being like above, with requests being posted publicly and contributors competing. It would be good for the client and agency with only us poor mugs getting the sh*ft so bound to happen.

You're thinking of spec work, but that seems different than what Sepia100 implies. This sounds more like assignment work (one-on-one) where the contributor learns more about the needs of a certain buyer and the buyer can communicate what he's looking for.

I might fill in the survey later today.

Steveball · « **Reply #5 on:** June 10, 2019, 03:05 »

Quote from: Noedelhap on June 09, 2019, 13:44

Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on June 09, 2019, 06:52
Yuk. This concept is already out there on all those "logo contest" websites, where buyers get thousands of hours of work and hundreds of drafts to choose from for a few dollars. IStock also did it for a while for vectors (can't remember what it was called). Anyway, sucks hard for contributors.

Unless I am misunderstanding (which I just realised I could well be!) and the request only goes to the one contributor? In that case it is not a bad idea, but I suspect if it was implemented it would end up being like above, with requests being posted publicly and contributors competing. It would be good for the client and agency with only us poor mugs getting the sh*ft so bound to happen.

You're thinking of spec work, but that seems different than what Sepia100 implies. This sounds more like assignment work (one-on-one) where the contributor learns more about the needs of a certain buyer and the buyer can communicate what he's looking for.

I might fill in the survey later today.

That's just the usual client / photographer relationship probably with a minuscule budget!

ShadySue · « **Reply #6 on:** June 10, 2019, 03:08 »

Quote from: Steveball on June 10, 2019, 03:05

That's just the usual client / photographer relationship probably with a minuscule budget!

That's what I thought. What has that to do with microstock? (A micropriced commission?)

Sepia100 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 10, 2019, 05:43 »

Quote from: Noedelhap on June 09, 2019, 13:44

Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on June 09, 2019, 06:52
Yuk. This concept is already out there on all those "logo contest" websites, where buyers get thousands of hours of work and hundreds of drafts to choose from for a few dollars. IStock also did it for a while for vectors (can't remember what it was called). Anyway, sucks hard for contributors.

Unless I am misunderstanding (which I just realised I could well be!) and the request only goes to the one contributor? In that case it is not a bad idea, but I suspect if it was implemented it would end up being like above, with requests being posted publicly and contributors competing. It would be good for the client and agency with only us poor mugs getting the sh*ft so bound to happen.

You're thinking of spec work, but that seems different than what Sepia100 implies. This sounds more like assignment work (one-on-one) where the contributor learns more about the needs of a certain buyer and the buyer can communicate what he's looking for.

I might fill in the survey later today.

Thank you, I would appreciatie that and remember you have a chance to win 25 euro

Justanotherphotographer · « **Reply #8 on:** June 10, 2019, 08:29 »

Quote from: Sepia100 on June 10, 2019, 05:43

Quote from: Noedelhap on June 09, 2019, 13:44
Quote from: Justanotherphotographer on June 09, 2019, 06:52
Yuk. This concept is already out there on all those "logo contest" websites, where buyers get thousands of hours of work and hundreds of drafts to choose from for a few dollars. IStock also did it for a while for vectors (can't remember what it was called). Anyway, sucks hard for contributors.

Unless I am misunderstanding (which I just realised I could well be!) and the request only goes to the one contributor? In that case it is not a bad idea, but I suspect if it was implemented it would end up being like above, with requests being posted publicly and contributors competing. It would be good for the client and agency with only us poor mugs getting the sh*ft so bound to happen.

You're thinking of spec work, but that seems different than what Sepia100 implies. This sounds more like assignment work (one-on-one) where the contributor learns more about the needs of a certain buyer and the buyer can communicate what he's looking for.

I might fill in the survey later today.

Thank you, I would appreciatie that and remember you have a chance to win 25 euro

Can you please clarify, is the idea that contact would be direct between the buyer and one contributor who's work they are interested in, or is it an open call for any (many) contributor(s) to respond to.

wordplanet · « **Reply #9 on:** June 10, 2019, 17:22 »

Tried from my iPhone but the site isn’t responsive can’t pinch to make it large enough to read. If you answer the question about whether you envision one on one communication vs the concept of many contributors vying for the same buyer shooting on spec & whether the price for all this work is micro or more traditional $ I’d be inclined to take 15 mins on my laptop to answer. With a daughter working on a thesis I have a soft spot for students 😎

Noedelhap · « **Reply #10 on:** June 11, 2019, 05:14 »

Quote from: ShadySue on June 10, 2019, 03:08

Quote from: Steveball on June 10, 2019, 03:05
That's just the usual client / photographer relationship probably with a minuscule budget!
That's what I thought. What has that to do with microstock? (A micropriced commission?)

Although not as ideal as a 'real' assignment, if the work created for that client is not exclusive, the lower budget might be acceptable. You get to create something that at least one buyer will want, get paid a commission AND retain the rights to sell it RF.

Noedelhap · « **Reply #11 on:** June 11, 2019, 06:08 »

Did the survey and tested the mock-up interface.

For your information: it's not about spec work / crowdsourcing, it's about customers asking for a customized version of an exisiting portfolio image. For instance, a 3d render in a different color scheme. The custom job would be listed on your dashboard including a description, the extra reward the buyer is willing to pay, a delivery date and accompanying reference images. You'd then have a choice to accept the custom job for the reward offered.

I like the concept, but the reward has to be worth the time (no Fiverr type of prices, maybe add the option to negotiate a price or list your own hourly rate). Also, the reward should be on top of the license commission.

Edit: some more feedback: there'd have to be an escrow payment system, so the artist isn't doing work for nothing. You don't want a situation where the client suddenly stops responding (i.e. the work doesn't get approved or the client refuses to pay). The agency would need to mediate in case of a dispute.

Justanotherphotographer · « **Reply #12 on:** June 11, 2019, 13:10 »

Quote from: Noedelhap on June 11, 2019, 06:08

Did the survey and tested the mock-up interface.

For your information: it's not about spec work / crowdsourcing, it's about customers asking for a customized version of an exisiting portfolio image. For instance, a 3d render in a different color scheme. The custom job would be listed on your dashboard including a description, the extra reward the buyer is willing to pay, a delivery date and accompanying reference images. You'd then have a choice to accept the custom job for the reward offered.

I like the concept, but the reward has to be worth the time (no Fiverr type of prices, maybe add the option to negotiate a price or list your own hourly rate). Also, the reward should be on top of the license commission.

Thanks for clearing that up. Not sure why the OP wasn't responding.

Sepia100 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 13, 2019, 03:26 »

Quote from: Noedelhap on June 11, 2019, 06:08

Did the survey and tested the mock-up interface.

For your information: it's not about spec work / crowdsourcing, it's about customers asking for a customized version of an exisiting portfolio image. For instance, a 3d render in a different color scheme. The custom job would be listed on your dashboard including a description, the extra reward the buyer is willing to pay, a delivery date and accompanying reference images. You'd then have a choice to accept the custom job for the reward offered.

I like the concept, but the reward has to be worth the time (no Fiverr type of prices, maybe add the option to negotiate a price or list your own hourly rate). Also, the reward should be on top of the license commission.

Edit: some more feedback: there'd have to be an escrow payment system, so the artist isn't doing work for nothing. You don't want a situation where the client suddenly stops responding (i.e. the work doesn't get approved or the client refuses to pay). The agency would need to mediate in case of a dispute.

Yes, this also crossed my mind. The ideal situation is that all parties will be benefited by partcipating. The contributor could be able to upload his created work too his own microstock portfolio if the buyers chooses not to buy the work. It could be the case that the contributor has to make (minimal) adjustments to make it suitable for the "general public".

Sepia100 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 14, 2019, 10:57 »

Still open for respondents, I could use at least ten more.
Don't forget you have a chance to win 25 euro's. As I do not have a lot of respondents yet, your chances are high.
25 euros as a image sale on a marketplace would not be bad

Also I'm looking for buyers of Microstock, this audience seems to be a lot more scatterd and do not really have forums like these where they gather.
Maybe someone has suggestions on where to find Microstock buyers?

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Author Topic: A new concept in online Microstock marketplaces + 50 Euro reward. (Read 6077 times)

Sepia100

Sepia100

Justanotherphotographer

georgep7

Noedelhap

Steveball

ShadySue

Sepia100

Justanotherphotographer

wordplanet

Noedelhap

Noedelhap

Justanotherphotographer

Sepia100

Sepia100

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