If there is one thing the recent high-profile conflict between Apple and Samsung makesa classic example of, it is the importance of design. Business firms are now using design to stand out in the crowd. Of course, this means designers are in high demand, but, thankfully, the supply is highas well. The only problem is there is no convenient way of pointing out good logo designers from the bad ones, mainly due to the disparity among graphic designers in their portfolio size, design skills, experience, and expertise. So what will you do to get yourself a designer logo? Well, pull up your sleeves, because we are going to tell you sevens do’s of solving this problem. Ready? Here we go!
Leafing through the telephone directory or browsing over portfolios is not the right way to start your search for an onlinegraphic designer. First of all, you should know the answers of ‘what’, ‘why’, and ‘how’ of the business identity you want to develop. Do precisely that – ask yourself questions. For instance, here are a few whose answers you should have at hand when you start your hunt for a logo designer:
There is no such thing as good or bad design; there are designs you like and designs you don’t like. However, it is important that you know why you like a design over others so you can guide your online graphic designer to take care of the things that make a design appealing to you.
Donot look for industry-specific designs in the portfolio of an online logo designer. Just familiarize yourself with the creative approach and designing style of the graphics designer and compare them with your preferences.
The variety of designs in a portfolio depends on whose profile you are visiting – famous freelancers showcase only a few of their best designs while designing agencies have larger portfolios. Number doesn’t matter much, though.
Caution: Cross out the ones having copied designs on their portfolios
Reliability counts. Donot just rush to call all custom logo designers with appealing designs. Do some investigation, first. Has these logo designers received appreciative testimonials from their past customers? If yes, make sure they aren’t phony. Check whether the designer has provided their names and contact details. Go ahead and consult the person, enquiring the following:
Also, look for them on social media and blogging websites. Read their articles and social media posts. Does their communication reflect professionalism and expert knowledge on the subject? Are they consistent in their claims and promises? Have they received good comments from like-minded people? This will help you make sure that your chosen logo designers are not only creative but professional and trustworthy as well.
It’s time to ring the bell. But, wait a minute! Are you clear on what you are going to ask your designer? Here are a few sample questions you should ask:
Graphics designers must be able to understand your problems and satisfy you with the answers. These questions are the test of their knowledge. At the same time, do not expect customer support staff to be that knowledgeable. Instead, when it comes to support representatives, see how helpful they are.
Response time is important. See if your selected logo designers are replying your emails or responding to your calls on time. If not, donot go for them, unless you have no better option.
Above all, make sure you can easily gel with the graphic designer or customer support staff. It is critically important, as it shows if youcan comfortably deal with your business logo designer in the long-term.
The outcome depends on the process. If the logo designer company or the freelance graphic designer has a well-planned design process with all necessary elements, you are sure to get a good logo. Usually, the design process involves:
Your company logo designer ought to be forthcoming about his/her design process, enabling you to decide whether your logo will be designed after thorough research or not and whether the company is not merely selling ready-made images that are nice to look at but cannot target your customer or give your company an identity.
Make sure you allocate a sufficient budget for your brand design but donot consider overspending. Decide your budget on the basis of
a) Who you are:
b) What you want:
Who you are determines your affordability. Also, if you are a small company, chances are a renowned designer will rarely devote his efforts and time on you. They have other better options at hand.
What you want determines the time and research needed for your design plus the type of designer required for doing the job. Here is an estimation to help you pre-plan your budget
Designers charge for the time they spend on your logo. More time means high cost.Yet, it also means more research and lesser chances of getting a compromised or copied design. So, give your business logo designer enough time to come up with a custom-made design. At the same time, do give him/her a deadline and make sure he follows it.
To cut the story short, there are a few dos and don’ts you must keep in mind for hiring a logo designer.
First off, donot be hasty and do some research. Know what you need, what you do, and what you like. Decide a budget,set a deadline, look through portfolios,contact past clients, and only then get in touch with the designer. There is no scarcity of logo designers, so it is best to pick out the ones that suit your requirements, budget, and preferences.
Secondly, ask specific questions. Inquire about the designing process, time, cost, policies, guarantees, and every other feature that can affect your selection of the custom logo designer. Also, remember to be open to the designer and feed him all the information he might need to design your logo.
Thirdly, donot overspend on your order or be miserly. Also, do not be inspired with big names unless you are a big name yourself. Remember to never go for the least priced option. Take it as investment and spend as much as is affordable for you.