I have written before why I think a logo design is worth investing a little time and money on, but a friend told me something a little while ago that shed a whole new light on cheap logo design.
My friend another freelance designer had recently started working with a new client who unfortunately had already had their logo design done by a cheap logo designer. He had now approached my friend to help with some design work after the problems they had had with the cheap logo. They had basically commissioned someone to do a really cheap logo, they were happy with the design and so had it printed on they stationery, literature and vans. The problem began when they found another local company in the same line of work had a very similar logo. I don’t know whether both logos were done by the same designer, or perhaps two different designers used some logo clip art, or the designer copied the other logo, but either way it was an expensive mistake. The cost of van graphics, literature and stationery could easily outweigh the costs of using a reputable graphic designer who charges realistic prices because they spend time thinking about and designing a logo and not just using clip art or copying designs.
Its a pretty embarrassing thing to be driving a van which looks very similar to your competitor too.
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184 Comments
logo could be very expensive . and also very cheap
Davidson [the creator of nike's logo] submitted a bill for $35 for her work.
Pay peanuts you get monkies – the big problem is that many clients just don’t have the eye, background or experience to discern between a really good or a really bad logo.
As a designer i’m always annoyed when a customer. Sees a competitors logo and wants thier logo to be very similar.
Great point to the article. It is always worth paying a little extra to have something done right than going the cheap route.
Didn’t think about how it could cost you by having to repaint the logo on trucks. That hurts !
Treat each client as he or she is your only client – this is a vital freelance logo design business characteristic. Take an extra minute to write a nice message, to create an additional mockup or to deliver the files promptly – if you do so the client will be happy and will return with future projects.
Tara,
I empathize with your friend’s client. I know somebody who had done the same thing. The thing was I warned my friend to research and think about her company so that she can come up with something original. She agreed with me, but the thing was she didn’t want to spend the money hiring a graphic designer, so she ended up hiring somebody through an ad. What happened was that the person’s portfolio was phony. It was pictures from the internet and other people’s creativity. This person knew the basics of the software, but wasn’t good at it. Later, she ended up seeing her logo in the internet for some company overseas. In a hurry, she took her logo down and had to start all over again. She never got in contact with the designer. I hope your readers can understand and learn from your article.
I would prefer a high rate graphic designer than those who are cheap. It is just the same since a cheap designer would cost a lot and spend a lot of time. I agree with your post.
I am very glad ,i would nt need an logo designer for a long time since iam running a blog
i am very glad i have a blog , and not a website ,you dont even have to put a logo in there
You may pay a lot or a little for the design, it does not really matter.
It is the quality of the design that matters and if it will sell your company or business.
If people are worried about peoples work not being genuine they can always ask for a few examples of work and then contact those companies to see if they are genuine.
Real designers will be proud of there work and more than happy to offer companies where references can be obtained from.
My husband does my logo’s with some software we bought. Probably not professional looking but I think they are pretty close.
It’s important to educate your prospective clients as they’re embarking upon a design job with you: give them an outline of what you will be doing for them, the reasons for the cost involved and why it will be of value for them in the long run.
I see your point here and it is a valid one. I certainly agree that a logo is more than just a flashy little icon and is deserving of proper attention. However, I also find fault with the company not knowing its competitors branding either. Sure, a good designer will also do this kind of checking, but a company should definately research their competitors enough to know what their branding is offhand. I think it may be a stretch to assume the “cheap” designer whipped up some clipart without thinking. It could be the case that the competition with similar branding doesn’t even have a website. Aside form driving around the location in question looking for vans, it would be impossible for them to have avoided the problem. So as I still agree with the main point, I hesitate to associate “cheap” design with bad design.. we all have to pay the bills don’t we?
I completely aggree with your point. As a web designer, we get customers who come to us asking for a website using the poor logo design that they paid next to nothing for as a starting point.
As corporate design is the basis of the website design it can prove very costly down the line.
Yes! Im sure every designer worth his lick in salt has had to struggle with the common problem of convincing others the value of good logo design. Thanks for sharing this as I plan to bring up this example the next time I face this challenge.
Graphics design can be an incredible tool to have in your pocket. It is certainly something anyone with interest in web design should learn.
Good post. I am in the process of helping an offline business redo their website and help with SEO and they are looking at redoing their logo. I agree that they need to be willing to spend a little bit to get one that is completely unique to them, and one that effectively shows what their business is about.
Tara, I agree completely, branding is an essential component of marketing a business. And logo design is a vital tool in that activity. A good logo will stand the test of time – think about the nike swoosh, and the chevy “bowtie.”
And I think that a business logo should say something about a business’ intent, mission, and style.
Great post – Jim
Hi there
Thanks for the interesting article. I will really have to do some digging around. I paid somebody a few dollars to do a logo design for a new company. I found the person on a webmaster forum and I am now panicing a little that I may have a problem down the line. Some of the designers on these sites have turnaround time of a few hours. I am thinking it may be worth my while once the business is up and running to sit down and spend some time with an experienced designer.
Thanks Again
Gerard
I totally agree.
I get people trying to force their existing logo and corporate design into their website design. In the long run this means they have to redo the website, logo design, stationary, etc. Buy cheap buy twice.
It is always best to invest a little extra money to get a good brand logo.
Hi Tara,
Thanks for your great bit of valued information. this is a subject that gets overlooked by alot of small and new businesses and I guess everyone is guilty of it, and that is everyone is out to look for a bargain. its alright if your looking for an Xbox or a Wii because this is driven on price, but a logo should not be driven on price. the client should look at the quality of the designer, the portfolio of the designer the testimonials then this will give a client a good idea of how much that designers time is worth.
Thanks
Regards
Taz
Hi Tara,
Thanks for your great bit of valued information. this is a subject that gets overlooked by alot of small and new businesses and I guess everyone is guilty of it, and that is everyone is out to look for a bargain. its alright if your looking for an Xbox or a Wii because this is driven on price, but a logo should not be driven on price. the client should look at the quality of the designer, the portfolio of the designer the testimonials then this will give a client a good idea of how much that designers time is worth.
Thanks
Taz
Your story make me believe more than price does matter. Investing on logo is not waste when we seriously want to buil a brand.
Price does not matter…
QUALITY matters
Yes, Quality matters, not price, but honestly, can you tell a good logo from a bad one? I can sometimes, but I’m not a graphic pro.
Hiring a professional is a great way to help get quality
Not always the case believe me…I can vouch for that with the amout of fixing work I have done for people over the years.
True Quicky, unfortunately
That’s why I said “help” get quality, not guarantee.
I know some people who consider logo as something that unimportant. Those people don’t understand that logo is as important as their business reputation. A logo is the representation of a company.
Yeah that’s right PRICE does not matter…
QUALITY matters…
Graphics design can be a credible tool to have in your pocket. This is something specific to anyone with interest in web design should.
that’s the downside of getting your logo designed for less… sometimes it’s hard to resist a seemingly good cheap deal, but as it often turns out, there’s a catch…
Logo is one of the more important yet overlooked aspects of a website design. The logo is essentially your “brand”, when someone thinks of your website this image pops into their head. It is of utmost importance!
A good logo is important. It just does not have to cost the earth and anyone who says it does is just ripping people off.
e.g. Some companies in London chargeing £25,000 for a logo and bullshitting saying they researhing the market and have done analysis when they have got there designer to knock something up in five minutes….(I have worked for them so I know this is fact but I will not name then as I don’t want to get my arse sued or anything)
and then you have the Nike logo, done for $25 or whatever which goes on to be a global brand.
Quality matters not cost….
Logo has to be really good in order for your business to stand out among the competition. Great article!
Paying other people to design your web graphics and logos can be quite costly. That is why I design all of my own graphics. Public Domain resources are extremely helpful.
This website is full of tons of helpful information as well.
i don’t want a cheap looking logo… logo and design of your page tell a lot about your company, so it’s better to give a little more money for better looking logo, customers will remember it easily…
There does seem to be a train of though on here that more money = better logo.
It does not and never will. Quality of design does.
I agree with you – but it’s worth pointing out that there have been plenty of occasions when very reputable designers and design companies have produced expensive solutions only to discover that they aren’t entirely original. Mimicry, copying or simultaneous creation is not limited to the low fee agencies.
The difficult reality is that little is truly original.
I agree wholeheartedly. I’ve seen those ‘free’ logo design sites on the internet and the result is stunningly pathetic. I paid $150 for both of mine so far, and I’ll do it again as I have need. It is worth it. You get a very professional image, and as you mentioned, the assurance that yours is unique.
A company logo is perhaps the biggest single thing that can affect someone’s opinion of your company.
Lots of these cheap logo designers you see advertising do seem to do a decent job, but they have the hallmarks of all looking like it’s the same designer behind them all. Modern and nice, basically.
Cheap labour in India can be tempting to customers, and to be fair a one off logo is the sort of project you could easily outsource oversees.
This is a subject that gets overlooked by many small companies – more should realise just how important it is.
If start up business have low budget then its better they design their own logo and get it improved professionally instead of going for cheap options which are nothing but clipart variations.They are an insult to art and creative skills of genuine logo designers
Logo is a tool to attract people to a site why it should be cheap
I agree with you. It is not all that cheap-work cost is good. We must see other factors such as port-folio, reputation, quality assurance and research methods. There are also factors likely accidental / incidental but this is very little possibility. The last one is a risk. This is a risk job.
using stock clipart for a logo? It really pays to check out who is doing your logo and and do some research on the logos others are using so that this doesn’t happen.
I’ve had good work with Craigs list and elance for my non-profit work, but it can be hot or miss.
For my corporate work I have a couple professional design firms I use.
really it’s useful interesting and informative. thanks
I totally agree with you Tara, i think now it’s the time to make my own logo..
Its too bad to drive a car which is similar to the opponent..I like it..If we design ourselves we can reduce the costs up to some extent..