Benefit of Logo Designers

Maybe I just don't get it...

[woop01]

Over the past year I’ve had logos designed for three websites and spent about $400 on each project. I’ve tried using online bidding processes such as elance, tried using firms I’ve found through the SERPS, and tried one on a referral. Each and every time, I’ve gotten back stock images that I recognize from clip art galleries or logos that would get me sued by other companies due to blatant similarities. In each case I just gave up and made significant changes to the logos they sent to make them unique.

Am I the only one who has lost all faith in logo designers? I try using these guys because I figure their creative talent trumps my ability to manage a site and code but I’m starting wonder about it myself. If I see one more stock clip art image submitted as 'original artwork' I think I’m going to puke.

Am I expecting too much for $400 projects? How much have other webmasters who had designed logos paid to find a descent service?

[peewhy]

I remember when there was a rumour that the Marlbro pack design had some other dark implications and also Lever Bros soaps used a design of stars and moon and it was deemed to be a sign of witchcraft.

I can understand the need to invest in redesign to incorporate new thoughts, brands and ethos but I'm pretty sure a lot of logos don't have that same creative process at the design stage.

They probably focus more on repro behaviour and how they will work and react under differing printing processes from magazines to billboards and TV screens to PC monitors.

[krieves]

Yup, the medium of reproduction can a design consideration. A designer needs to know how the logo will be used. What looks good on a website may not translate well to a t-shirt. Also, depending on the customer's budget, there are considerations. For one customer, custom full color embroidery on a golf shirt is well with their budget. For another company, they may be concerned about using more than one color screened onto a t-shirt.

[rogerd]

Excellent point, krieves. I've got a logo project coming up (as soon as the TM gets approved), and the logo will need to be suitable for web use, color print use (letterhead, cards, etc.), and B&W print use (invoices & checks). In addition to display medium and color, size can be important - I've seen logos that look great in reasonable size, but lousy when reduced to business-card size. Small type and closely spaced lines can be nightmares for printers - a logo may be easily printable on letterhead, but the details on raised-ink business cards may blot together.

So... be sure to anticipate your needs and have the designer provide the artwork in a range of sizes and formats.