Run, don’t walk from cheap logo design.
There seems to be a rather recent influx of cheap logo design out there, plus clients who expect to pay next to nothing for their logo.
So why aren’t logos $30? What’s so bad about that?
There seems to be a disconnect between what designers know and what everyone else thinks they know when it comes to the reality of logo design, and why it’s not cheap. The reasons are many, but let me just start out by saying us designers aren’t trying to take you for all you’re worth; rather, we know what goes into creating a logo that will last a lifetime.
Believe it or not, designing a logo actually takes work
Professional designers aren’t just “playing around” on their computers all day. Any design we do requires work, and we take our profession very seriously.
We know the principles of good design; we need the necessary skills to properly use design programs like Adobe Illustrator; we devote our days to self-marketing, research, meeting with clients, going over briefs, and giving presentations.
Designing a logo isn’t simple
Part of the reason so much time goes into logo design is because we have to do things like meet with the client, create a design brief, create a proposal, research your company, research your competition, research your audience, brainstorm, generate ideas, seek inspiration, sketch, do roughs, create the actual logo ideas, refine them, show them to you, get feedback, go back and do revisions, finalize the logo design, choose a suitable typeface and color palette…I could go on, but by now you can see that the process of a logo design is quite extensive.
Those cheap “designers” you see on Craigslist or 99designs? They probably just design something off the top of their head without knowing anything about your business, your audience, or your competition.
So it might be a cute design but it won’t have any staying power, and it won’t strengthen your brand. Or they might steal a logo that’s already out there, and you’ll be liable for copyright infringement. Or they could just use some cheap clip art, which looks horrible and is a teeny bit illegal. Fun stuff like that that I’m sure you don’t want any part of.
You know that saying, “you get what you pay for?”
It takes more than just a couple of hours to design a good logo
A good logo cannot possibly cost less than $275 dollars: do the math. If someone is selling you a logo for $30, how much time do you think they spent on it?
Certainly no more than a couple of hours. If they spent the time going through the whole process, they would end up making less than $2.00/hour. That’s not even minimum wage. So I can pretty much guarantee, if you’re getting a logo that’s much less than $275, your designer is probably skimping on the process of creating that logo.
Everything else builds on your logo
Do you have a business card? A company website? Colors? Well, you really can’t have any of these things without first having a logo. The logo is the foundation of everything else your company does visually. It is the cornerstone of your branding and identity. So, obviously, it’s important. You really can’t do anything without a defined logo in place first. That’d be like going through a maze blindfolded. You need to have that cohesive branding ready before you start your venture, not after the fact.
Your logo is the first thing people see
You want to make a good first impression, don’t you? Wrong! You want to make a great first impression! So why risk having someone take one look at your logo, the very face of your company, and cringe?
And there are some cringe-worthy logos out there! Don’t let your business be one of them. I firmly believe that if you take pride in your business, that if you believe in your cause, and are willing to make that initial investment,
I can guarantee your business will have great start to be a success.
Your logo will last you many years to come
You want a cheap logo now, because you plan on buying a better logo a few years down the line, when your business is successful. That’s not a good idea, because what you’re trying to build as a new business is your brand. If you go and change your logo every few years, then you completely defeat the purpose of having a brand.
Everything that people began to associate with your business, via your logo, will disappear and you’ll essentially be starting over from scratch. Besides, what if your crummy cheap logo prevents your company from even taking off in the first place?
You will save time. You will save money.
You will know it’s done right, the first time. You will stand out from the crowd. You will make a better first impression. You will be consistent and memorable. You will get better results. |
Another factor to keep in mind is that a professional designer is going to know the most cost effective ways to design your materials, and he or she will likely have suggestions to help keep your printing costs to a minimum.
A logo is such an important part of your corporate branding, so it’s important to get your logo right. |
6 more reasons to invest in a professional logo design:
1. A great logo gives a great first impression
2. Designed with a concept and strategy of a professional
3. A good logo gives your business an identity & makes it easier to build your brand
4 Your logo will help you to project a professional image
5. You will get the correct formats and variations for all media
6. You will see a return on your investment
2. Designed with a concept and strategy of a professional
3. A good logo gives your business an identity & makes it easier to build your brand
4 Your logo will help you to project a professional image
5. You will get the correct formats and variations for all media
6. You will see a return on your investment