Over-saturated Digital Market?

[stephen]

I've noticed lately that there a tremendous number of digital designers out there and that just about everyone and anyone feels that they can start designing with little design experience. New stores crop up all the time and designers move from store to store trying to find out if they can get more sales at a different store (sort of a continual "grass is always greener" analogy).

So what do you think? If the market becomes over-saturated we will have a pure competition environment where prices continually decrease, and everyone loses out. Or do you feel that the number and popularity of digital scrapbookers is increasing enough to support all of the new designers out there? Thoughts?

Stephen

[jencaputo]

Hm.... very interesting post. I'm probably gonna get pummelled (is that you spell it?) but I kinda think you are right. I'm very confused when designers sell at 4 or 5 different shops and are constantly moving and I also agree the market is a bit oversaturated. My personal opinion is "bring something new, exciting, unique, and creative or don't bring anything at all".

Don't hate me!!!

[mrs2a50]

No pummeling from me Jen. I had a whole long post typed out, and deleted it because I couldn't figure out how to say it without being snarky. I believe in the "you get what you pay for" theory, and me personally, I would rather pay $6 (or more) for a kit from a designer who I know puts out quality stuff, than $3 for an inferior kit from someone who decides one day that they think they'll design.

Okay, that still sounds harsh, and I just don't know how to word it any other way. I don't mean that every new designer is putting out inferior kits. I just can't figure out how to say what I need to say! Bring on more coffee.

[matosmom]

Call me snobbish but I can't stand it when a person has made like 3 layouts and all the sudden they think they're a designing pro! I think the market is oversaturated with "noob" styles.

I only buy from the well known names, I want to buy the best of the best. I want the details and textures that look real. Not some sloppy non-textured blah kit that they think they can sell for the same amount as a seasoned designer.

So yes I do think it's getting oversaturated but at the same time I don't see it threatning the good designers sales out there. People know what they want and what designers they like and they'll continue to support their favorites.

[Stephanie]

Originally Posted by jencaputo

My personal opinion is "bring something new, exciting, unique, and creative or don't bring anything at all"

I agree! I'm a small time buyer because I am a conservative spender. Since I don't buy a ton, it's important to me who gets the little amount I do spend. I buy from those I feel create original work. Just because you can copy someone else's idea, doesn't mean you should or that you should profit from it. Like I said, I don't spend a lot so my opinion isn't that important in the grand scheme of things but I want to believe that the "copy-cats" out there won't last long because others won't buy their product when they can get the original for about the same price. So those of you that do "bring something new, exciting, unique, and creative" stick with it and try not to get discouraged!

[LibbysMommy]

Editing because I thought I sounded a little too snobby and I didn't want to come across that way!!

[AndreaBurns]

Sure, there are always new designers popping up, but IMHO, they'll also phase out. It takes some time to get established, it takes time to get known, and it takes time to build a fan base. IMO, the designers with the artistic ability to persevere are the ones that'll stick around.

The well known and favorite designers today are the ones that have bveen doing this for a couple years already. This is certainly NOT an overnight success type of job... unless you are IOD gals, b/c who doesn't LOVE them, LOL! But then again, both of them come from huge artsy backgrounds and businesses.

[stayawake]

I'm new to digital scrapbooking in the last 4 - 5 months, and only really buying for 3 months but I have to say it was HARD to find the good stuff ( quality kits I loved with new and interesting elements that printed well ) and figure out who the 'best' designers were! I bought a lot of stuff I now regreat because I thought itw as the best I could find. So maybe a little bit of oversaturation is happening. Hopefully sites like this will help this in the future. I can see two or three sites becoming really big, and attracting the best designers as people hear more and see more and learn more. I've designed papers and a few elements for myself, but I wouldn't *DREAM* of designing for others for a long time until I feel I have something different to offer ( I also feel like it will be a year or more before I'm experienced enough to do CT work - I don't feel like I *deserve* to be on a CT just because I want to be!! )
I also feel, however, that the best designers are getting better and there are more out there than ever before who I would consider buying from because they are improving too.

[joelsgirl]

I agree--too many designers, especially when there are so many really good designers. I've been thinking that for a while, but new people keep popping up who seriously have talent. My designer list used to be like three people long, and now there are probably ten people whose designs I buy. I think it's good, though, that everyone has a chance to try it if they want, but good also that they step out when they realize maybe they should just stick to designing layouts.

Kellie

[Lauren]

I do agree that it's oversaturated and have been saying so for awhile. I think the problem is that it's an easy business to get in to money wise. If they're already scrappers, they probably have all the equipment they'd need so it's effectively a zero start up cost, meaning every kit sold (after consignment/site charges) is pure profit - not factoring time in this, since I'm assuming noone pays themselves an hourly wage.

Although I WISH all the competition was driving down prices, but they seem to be on the up. It used to be $3 for a mini kit, $5 for full and $7 for a mega. Now it's more like $4, $7 and $10. They're still very reasonable prices compared to paper but with a $20 budget, I'm now getting three kits instead of four. That's noticeable.