The real question you should ask yourself is how much value to your business is a well designed custom logo? After all it will be gracing your business cards, stationary, online presence and will be a strong statement about your business and what image you want to project.
Option 1: The 10 minute logo
The logo template: You can buy an online ‘logo’ template for under $100 but you can’t trademark your logo and there’s no guaranteed it’s original.
The speculative logo: You can have lot’s of designers from around the world submitting their logo designs for you to choose from – sounds great right? But don’t expect an original design, most of these submissions are recycled logo designs that are thrown together in a few minutes. What you need to keep in mind is that these designers are submitting hundreds of designs each day in the hopes of winning a few, and no self respecting designer would be working for free on these sites.
Option 2: Hire a professional designer
- You will get an exclusive custom artwork that is yours to own and trademark. It will be a valuable asset for your business as your designer will work with you until you are happy with the result.
- You will be provided with your logo style guide, which is a document that outlines how your logo can be used, detailing such things as spacing, spot and websafe colours. This ensures your logo will always print perfectly and be used correctly.
Most importantly your logo will reflect the core values of your business and present a professional image to your clients. - But of course it will cost more, as a rough estimate professional designers in Australia charge between $800 – $1400. Think about your logo as an investment in your business and think of all the places your logo will be appearing; a good logo has timeless appeal and is easily recognisable and memorable for years to come.
So what is the new logo design process?
- Working with the client on creating a clear design brief
- Researching the marketplace to see what your competition is doing ensuring your business will stand out
- Concepts: brainstorming and sketching out ideas
- Design & development: taking it to the computer
- Typography: testing typographical styles and integrating those into the logo
- First round of design proofs are sent to the client: usually with 3-4 different options to choose from
- Feedback and continued review until final approval by the client is reached
- Logo design guidelines are prepared
- You will receive a package of your logo in various file formats as well as your logo guidelines
Now that you have a fantastic new logo you might want to consider a more comprehensive branding package. Consider:
- Stationery: business cards, letterheads, envelopes, email signatures, invoices
- Advertising materials: printed flyers & brochures; digital banners for mobile & web advertising; advertising on social media
- Signage: buildings, vehicles, shop fronts
- Website: building a strong online presence with a well designed website.
- Social media: Twitter & Facebook backgrounds, as well as visual content such as infographics, or special offers & competitions