Choosing the Right Logo Designer
Creating a Brand.
You have an idea for a company, a business or a service. You’ve developed the plan to carry out your idea. You’ve created your business plan and you’ve found the perfect office space and put 100% of your own blood, sweat, and tears into your own dreams.
Sharing that idea requires a logo and/or branding concept.
It should be something that says what you are, who you are, and what you do. Something that is simple but detailed and complicated. It should tell your story and share the idea of your passion. A concept for a logo can range from a text logo to a detailed conceptual design that goes into a creative spin on your idea.
Nike is a swoosh.
Tiffany’s is a Font Design
Instagram a simplified camera.
Twitter a Bird
Facebook a letter.
Starbucks is a siren.
These logos did not start here, many companies go through a change in logo design. While the idea typically stays the same, the design and details often change. This is not uncommon and something I highly recommend as your company, idea or brand grows, so should your logo. The google logo itself is always evolving.
Using a Graphic Designer
Outside of a budget, there are multiple ways to search for someone that can design a logo. Multiple websites provide this as a service, including Fiverr, Upwork, 99designs, and more. You can ask a friend, pose a question on IG, or Facebook, get opinions or recommendations from others, or really the best option; word of mouth. You can also use google and search locally “Find a Logo Designer Near Me”
There are always options and choices. When choosing a logo designer you should take into consideration the body of work of the potential designer. Examine and spend time looking at the portfolio of the potential designer, are their logos custom? Handdrawn? Reflective of your own taste. Not every designer designs the same. Each graphic artist will always put their unique and creative spin on a design.
Personally, I listen and ask questions to get to know you. When someone chooses me to design their logo, we have an initial consultation, and I provide a questionnaire that helps determine the direction you wish to go. My job as a designer is to take that information and create something that not only speaks to you but also can represent you.
Think of it this way, you would like to remodel your kitchen, but you have never been trained to demo, remove cabinets, install drywall, mud, handle plugs, outlets, plumbing, etc. Do you take on the project yourself or do you hire someone that has years and decades of skills doing that task so you can focus on other aspects of your new business?
Creating a logo using software / or an online designer
What I have found is budget is a big choice in how someone plans their logo design. Many think I can create something that will work. There is software or online websites, that allow you to create, design, or modify existing logos.
There are websites like Canva, Vectr, or even websites like Adobe Spark or Etsy, where you can customize a premade logo. Some are free, some have a cost or limitations.
A shift in the world over the past few years caused many companies to quickly pivot and develop their online presence and abilities. In the online world, the first thing someone will see is your logo, your colors, and your branding. It’s something that will appear on social media platforms, websites, business cards, digital or print.
Do you want to take the time to learn new software?
I do believe some of these are great ways to learn and develop ideas or even come up with concepts. They provide inspiration and help fuel the direction you’d like to go with your design.
Where do you start when creating a logo?
The logo design process requires research, sketching, reading, learning, and brainstorming and while it may seem like the easiest aka “cheapest” option is to do it yourself, there are a few things you need to consider.
Where will you be using the logo?
A logo only being used digitally will be different from one that you plan on printing on business cards or other marketing materials.
Print? Online? Social Media, Video?
Logos that will be used outside of the digital medium can change the type of logo file format you will use and the color variations you will need.
Do you know your branding colors?
For color variations, you will want to have light, dark, and full-color versions of a logo for all of your branding needs as well as versions that have transparent backgrounds. Your exporting options for color will also range, with RGB being used for digitally displayed logos and CMYK being best for printed products.
Some other questions to consider.
Do you know the type of file you will need for printing, a website, a t-shirt or signs?
Do you know what RGB or CMYK is and when each is used?
What bleed means?
Do you understand the different types of files like .ai, .eps, .svg, .png, .jpg, or .pdf and how they are used in designs?
The difference between DPI and Resolution?
What a vector file is?
Are elements hand drawn and unique?
Is your logo yours and not a copy of someone else’s design that anyone can use?
How do you know you made the right choice?
It’s something everyone struggles with, don’t make your decision to work with a designer purely on the quality of the logo designs. The design process and deliverables that you will receive are just as important to a successful logo design project.
Trust your gut.
Check out their work (website/portfolio)
Cheap does not equal quality.
Ask questions about their process.
Keep in mind, your logo will change as your business changes and it’s always a great idea to refresh things every year or two.
Communicate.
You get what you pay for.
Custom logo packages and prices will vary significantly because of the amount of time and effort necessary to get a job completed. The average cost can range from $300-$500 for a simple design and up to $2500 or more for complicated designs. There are many factors that can impact costs.
In the end, it’s your choice but ALWAYS get a second opinion!
If you have questions about my process and have an upcoming logo design project and would like to work together then please get in touch and I would be more than happy to discuss your ideas. You can contact me or call me at (216) 230-9960.
