Gurnee logo not a thing to be proud of

As a graphic designer and business owner, I am appalled and disgusted by the actions of the Village of Gurnee. They used what is referred to as a "crowdsourcing" website to get a fresh logo at low cost.

The Village of Gurnee acquired 325 logos, or "choices", from 325 designers. Of those 325 designers, only one gets paid, and it's far less than a fair rate for a logo that will be used on everything that is connected to the village. The other 324 designers? They get nothing for their time and talent. They worked for free. There's a name for that; it escapes me at the moment.

What if we did that for everything? What if we ordered pizza from 20 different pizza places, and only paid for the one that we liked best? What if we had 20 architects draw up plans for a house, and only paid for the one that we liked? Why not have 20 photographers at your wedding, and only pay the one that took what you considered to be the best pictures?

The Village of Gurnee took advantage of struggling designers, and they are touting it like it was a success story. Shame on every one of them, from Mayor Kristina Kovarek on down. You'll never, ever, see any one of them working for the Village of Gurnee for the opportunity of maybe getting paid. It makes me sick to my stomach to see that they make the front page. Instead of cutting real fat from a budget, they're praised for literally stealing from hard working, talented and struggling people.

It's modern-day slavery. And now it's acceptable, thanks to people like Mayor Kovarek. That's what we've become.

Doug Gaster

Roselle