Crowdsourced design work -- worth it? Anybody have experience on the client end?

[stephen]

Here's what I would do in your low-budget situation.

I would go to the best design department of a college or art school in your city, and take it to them as a project. Guarantee that you will use the winning result. Students are dying to get produced work, and you would have the added guidance/curation of the instructor.

Plan to invest some meaningful time with the class briefing them and giving them honest feedback so the experience will be valuable for you both.