Logos

cichlid child

I have started my own business and a customer called today asking me to send my company logo.
I had not really thought of it untill she asked.
I am now wondering how I go about getting one.
Do I just make one up on my computer in phoshop and send it to her.
Should I get a professional to sort it out
For a logo does it have to be paitened
How much is this going to cost
Any help would be much appreciated

Tomthepost

I would advice paying something for a suitable symbol using cheap websites such as istock.com. Log into it. Do a keyword search based on your type of business and you will pick something up.
Good to pay something even if its a small amount to cover yourself legally from a copyright perspective.
If you get it to that stage Im sure there are posters here that can get you over the line from a design perspective at a reasonable low fee.

Pixelcraft

^ worst advice ever. Istock don't allow their stock items to be used as logos, and it most certainly doens't cover you legally!

Tomthepost

Pixelcraft wrote: »

^ worst advice ever. Istock don't allow their stock items to be used as logos, and it most certainly doens't cover you legally!

Apologises if that is the case:o
I don't see you offering an alternative funnily enough!

Pixelcraft

alternative is if a logo is important to you, pay a pro, if it's not then stick to text. There's no direct 'alternative' to using istock, because you shouldn't do it in the first place.

Spinnaker

I worked through this a couple of times. You will be asked for your logo many times in your new business.

It will need to be suitable (visually and print-format etc) for business cards, website, all stationary types , upload to other websites, print on your products etc, sales collateral. Ideally it's use should be consistent across these media.

You are starting-up so cost is an issue I assume. Outsource it to say www.talenttank.ie, collab.ie, local art&design college etc or post more about requirements here in this forum.

Whoever you sign up for design should care well about it's potential applications and provide you with multiple electronic formats, sizes, resolutions and maybe even alternate colours and black and white.

TheCostumeShop.ie: Ronan

Yeah I'd second PixelCraft, if your going to do something like a logo do it once and do it right. You wouldn't go to a business meeting in shorts and an old t-shirt, so don't let your business have a poor image either.

Also wanted to point out PixelCraft is a well known graphics design person so does have some authority on the subject (and i'm impressed he's not selling his services even when there's a perfect fit - fair play).

If your really stuck for cash, sign up to a freelance website (such as https://www.getafreelancer.com/) and have someone in vietnam etc do it for you for about €30 - €50 euro, just be sure to check its not a rip-off of some other businesses logo (hence don't pay to little). If you can afford a little more get quotes from the above and a few other respected graphics designers.

No need for a patient at this stage the copyright is yours for orignal work and it's unlikely to be ripped off unless you become very big. Also you still have lots of rights if you are copied even without a patient.

Atlas_IRL

Try scriptlance.com you will get one for a good price. 10-50 dollars. Always ask for work they have done before though and dont pay if you are not happy.

Tomthepost

Pixelcraft wrote: »

alternative is if a logo is important to you, pay a pro, if it's not then stick to text. There's no direct 'alternative' to using istock, because you shouldn't do it in the first place.

Will you ever chill out!
I answered a question in the best way I thought possible. Its useful to know I am incorrect but there is absolutely no need for the agression.
I was always under the impression that when you buy a royalty free image you can use it as you see fit more or less.
We both know that many 'so called' graphic designers would have done what I suggested and charged as if they had spent many hours working on it from scratch.
Also please take on board that many people that post here are start-ups that are struggling to put food on the table never mind afford the services of a pro for an aspect of their business. No disrespect to your sector or the service you provide intended.

tricky D

Tom, he's not really directing it at you as much as you think. It's more a bluntness that comes with much experience and authority. I'm similar myself and don't like mince words too much. Start ups need this kind of experience and bluntness - just look at TV like Dragon's Den.

OP it very much depends on your kind of business/market. If you're in more Perfect market, you probably won't need a big deal logo as branding/identity is a lesser factor. If it's a market where you need or can stand out more, then you'll need a well thought out logo/identity, done properly and with the branding 'right' from early on. These don't come cheap and putting yourself in a position of having to change this later to get right the second time is really bad for business.

So, what kind of business/market is it OP?

fishy21

i have made a few on www.logomaker.com and it is very easy to do and the results are great.

Pixelcraft

Tomthepost wrote: »

Will you ever chill out!
I answered a question in the best way I thought possible. Its useful to know I am incorrect but there is absolutely no need for the agression.

Perfectly chilled out Tom, and there's no aggression here. I just informed the op that doing it your suggested way could end up with a costly royalty bill. As a business owner myself I know it's tough out there for startups and established businesses alike, don't see what relevance that has here though.

To answer your question, there's no real set cost for logo design, or branding if you're taking it that far. If you haven't even thought about your business image before I'm guessing that it's irrelevant to your business, maybe you don't need one at all?

wouldd

I used these guys: http://www.25poundlogo.co.uk/

They keep going through revisions until you are happy.

What I did was to get them to do a first draft based on some ideas I explained, I showed it to some friends and then gave them back that feedback.

I was happy with the results in the end...

cichlid child if you want PM me and Ill send you a link to the logo that I had done

thegoodlife

You could try a guy called Ioan Popa, I can't say Ive dealt with him yet but he has come recommended in the past...heres his website

www.1onica.com

I couldn't see it being too cheap though.

cichlid child

Thanks for all the replies lads and I do mean all the replies.
I think you all said it has it is a logo is not going to be hugely important to me and starting is a real pain with cash.
It is just when the client asked for it I felt like a right goon saying I don't have one.
But it is good to know that if I do get one it does not have to be by law patient.
I might mess around with a few ideas.
Tricky D it is conference managment ie:sound-visuals-voting-lighting-simultaneous interpretation etc for conference,meetings and award ceremony’s.
Wouldd pm sent

Tomthepost

tricky D wrote: »

Tom, he's not really directing it at you as much as you think. It's more a bluntness that comes with much experience and authority. I'm similar myself and don't like mince words too much. Start ups need this kind of experience and bluntness - just look at TV like Dragon's Den.OP it very much depends on your kind of business/market. If you're in more Perfect market, you probably won't need a big deal logo as branding/identity is a lesser factor. If it's a market where you need or can stand out more, then you'll need a well thought out logo/identity, done properly and with the branding 'right' from early on. These don't come cheap and putting yourself in a position of having to change this later to get right the second time is really bad for business.

So, what kind of business/market is it OP?

Not to worry im not overly sensitive to criticism but neither the OP or myself have asked for investment here.
What you might call 'much experience and authority' could easily be perceived by others as arrogance however.
Anyway its not an area I have expertise in as I have clearly displayed and whilst I am happy in that I learned something new from getting involved there is no need for the condecending nature of his comments.

Tomthepost

Pixelcraft wrote: »

Perfectly chilled out Tom, and there's no aggression here. I just informed the op that doing it your suggested way could end up with a costly royalty bill. As a business owner myself I know it's tough out there for startups and established businesses alike, don't see what relevance that has here though.

To answer your question, there's no real set cost for logo design, or branding if you're taking it that far. If you haven't even thought about your business image before I'm guessing that it's irrelevant to your business, maybe you don't need one at all?

The relevance is that everyone cant afford to pay a proper professional as a start-up. That is all.
Thank you for teaching me something new all the same.

javajoe

I also tried http://www.25poundlogo.co.uk/ and it was a disaster - they did not follow the brief at all and kept sending me really poor and irrevelant logo samples - until I cancelled and they eventually they refunded - whole process took 3-4 weeks of frustration. In the end I went to www.pixeldesign.ie and was very happy with the results - more expensive but professional and worth it.

KJF

Why not try 99designs

Outline of how it works:

1. Step 1: Create Your Design Brief

We will ask you a few simple questions that will form your design brief. A design brief is just a summary of what you need designed. It costs around $39 USD to post your brief on 99designs.com.
2. Step 2: Set Your Budget

We will ask you how much you’re willing to pay the winning designer to purchase their design. This is called the prize. Prize amounts generally range from $100 to $600 depending on the type of design you require.
3. Step 3: Work with the Designers

Once your design brief has been posted to 99designs.com, designers from around the globe will submit design concepts to compete for your prize. It’s your job to rate the designs and provide feedback to help the designers deliver what you want.
4. Step 4: Choose Your Favorite Design

At the completion of the design contest (which is typically 7 days) you will choose a winning design and pay the designer the prize amount. The designer will send you their completed design along with copyright to the original art work.


I've used it many times and have been very happy with the results.

http://tinktank.ie

tricky D

cichlid child wrote: »

Tricky D it is conference managment ie:sound-visuals-voting-lighting-simultaneous interpretation etc for conference,meetings and award ceremony’s.

Briefly, you're in a business where presentation is important and for real world events you're going to need things like big banners, backdrops, stings etc. You're going to need a proper logo. A quick one in PhotoShop won't cut it - raster format is wrong for starters.

Pixelcraft

+1 I was quite surprised to learn that was your industry.

cichlid child

Sorry it does look bad when you read it.But it is all background stuff for examble I would not be putting up banners or giving presations

Zascar

www.worth1000.com competitions are a great way. Not the cheapest but the quality is top notch