Why your Logo doesn't cost $50?

Here's some comic strips that illustrate the topic:
1) Comic Strip One
2) Comic Strip Two

You can buy things with money, but there is something money can't buy. Time.

Professionals in any trade value their time, so does designers. A $50 budget should not be expecting anything more than an hour's work. Needlessly to say time spent on changes to the sample, time spent on consultation, time spent on the execution.

Consider the amount of time spent in the designing process, if $50 is the budget, it isn't worth the time for the designer to even do it.

More Reasons why your logo doesn't cost $50:

1. A logo is the very first impression people get of your company.
2. A logo needs longevity.
3. A logo needs to be original.
4. A logo should look professional.
5. A logo should reflect the time and thought gone in to designing it.
6. A logo is the starting point of your whole corporate image.

Take a look at your logo, does it adheres to the above six pointers? If not, probably it is time to invest in a professional logo.

Simply email me ( designempire@live.com ) and state them you are interested to hire my service, and I'll send my questionnaires over to you.

10 Basic Steps Of A Logo Design Process

There is many ways a designer work. But here's my style: Zander Style - My 10 Basic steps for A Logo Design Process.

1) Writing a Design Brief -

Clients are to provide information, facts or even Company history. This ensures the designer have a narrowed scope to research on, saving time and money.


2) Confirmation to engage -

Contract(s) will be drafted and signed by both parties as a confirmation to engage. This serves as a protection for the client as well as the artist.


3) Research-

Research can take hours or a few days, depending on the accessibility of the information. The design brief helps to generate keywords for the designer to research on. The research usually includes competition, the industry and company history.


4) Visual Research -

Original, fresh logo, that is what all business owners would wanted. Having copied logo may get business owners into trouble. This is where visual research comes into an important play. Researching on the logo of similar companies, allows the designer to critique and better position their client. Visual Research is generally vital for inspiration and originality.


5) Conceptualizing & Sketches -

Pencil and papers. Lots of sketches, even the ugly ones. Choose a few inspirations or ideas and fully explore the possibilities.

It is advisable to work solely on a Grey scheme or a single color (maybe black) at this point of time. Worry about the colors later.


6) Prototypes -

Depending on the agreement, the designer will draft a number of prototypes for the client. These prototypes would have undergo the designer's filter and selection from the sketches before making the decision to complete them as prototypes.


7) First Presentation & Review -

My personal preference is to provide the prototypes in Grey scheme, and this allows the client to focus on the design of the prototypes.

Clients are to feedback and critiques on the design, and discuss with the designer how to further proceed. It is advisable to narrow the numbers of prototype to only one which is closest to the desired outcome.


8) Refining Process -

Refining the prototype and making changes. Note that often, if the changes are too drastic and involved a lot more time, the designer may consider additional charges to the project.


9) Final Delivery -

Once upon approval of the refined artwork, the designer will provide the completed artwork, along with necessary file upon request.


10) Maintaining Relations -

The relation built in the process of the whole project will not just end upon the final payment. The designer should maintain the relation and in any scenario should the client face problems with the artwork, the designer should be there to offer any help.

4 Reasons Why A Design Brief is Important

One of the most important element of the project - writing a good design brief for the designer, before the start of the designing process.

1) As the business owner, you made known to the designer what you want to achieve by the end of the project.

2) Providing a detailed design brief, allows the designer to save more time and rather focus on more important key words and elements that truly represent your company.

3) It gives the initial discussion more value and making it worth the time. Designer would be able to ask further questions to clear his doubts in a shorter time.

4) A good design brief will ensure that you get a high quality design that meets your needs, provided you have chosen the right designer.

I provide my own design brief questionnaires for clients before the start of any design project. It saves lots of my time and allows me to focus on researching the key elements in the brief.

What is logo?

1) A Logo is NOT your brand. It is representing your brand. ( It does not have to illustrate the obvious, just like how McDonalds does not illustrate that they have the cheapest and fastest burger in their logo.

2) A Logo should be simple and yet portrays the right identity.

3) A Logo should work well in both small and extremely large sizes. ( Should not blur or pixelate )

4) A Logo must be describable.

5) A Logo must be memorable.

6) A Logo must be effective without colour. ( in a black or white )

Above are the basic vital points of a logo. Often you can see how new small business start up companies put little emphasis on their logo, most of the time, doing it D.I.Y. It is important to remember a Logo gives the first impression to your customers, whether do your company looks and feels dependable depends on the logo on your business card.

They are the one who do the important silent job, which most of the time you won't hear it from the customers. An average logo will be able to attract your right customers. A great logo will impress them, and often a poorly designed logo will repel them. The impression usually stays for a period of time.

What's a logo worth?

"A company without a logo, is as good as a businessman without a namecard."

I read a interesting post by various designer's blog regarding how most people underestimate the worth of a professional design. For most designers, chances are, there are times when a businessman requesting artwork at a far low rate then you can imagine. For example, spending $50 on professional services for a logo should not expect anything more than one hour's work.

Initial start up on any business, usually comes with tight budget. However, being in business doesn't always means cut costs, save money. Consider how much it cost for a poor initial identity, and spending much more for a re-branding.

A logo design can be a huge asset to a company.
- It makes a company look more professional -- and trustworthy.
- It can become a powerful symbol recognized by the masses.
- Great logo design makes your business memorable for your clients.


What do you think of a logo's worth?