Celebrate 4th of July with Tribe!
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit… to be happy with your logo designer.”
In celebration of our nation’s independence day, we would like to celebrate the freedom to choose whom you do business with. While it may not state this exactly in our declaration of independence, this is a right you have.
We’ve heard countless stories from clients and colleagues who have made decisions they have regretted when hiring a logo designer. So to help you not make the same mistakes, we’ve lined out the options you have when hiring a logo designer and the lessons learned from their experiences.
Freelance Designers –
If you are not interested in hiring someone for more than just your logo design, finding a freelancer may be a good option for you. (A freelancer is an artist or graphic designer who works independently on a job-by-job basis.)
There are plenty of freelance designers out there, so when choosing one, make sure you do a thorough background check. Get a list of at least three references. Verify that the design work they presented to you was actually chosen by the client. Ask their references about the individual’s time management and professionalism. Did they respond to the client in a timely manner? Did they honor the price they quoted or was there a surprise bill at the end of the project?
Remember: just because your nephew, brother-in-law or neighbor’s daughter has taken some graphic design courses and is willing to design a logo for you (at a low price) isn’t always the best course of action.
Lesson learned – You can never tell a book by its cover.
Online Services –
Perhaps you’re swamped with work and prefer to conduct the entire logo development process through the internet? With an online service (more than likely), you fill out a form, the designers are outsourced (overseas?) to bid, you receive a few logo samples, you have one or two revision options, then they send your completed logo within 48 hours. Quick and easy, right?
Before you sign off, verify that the design is unique to your company (and free of any copyright violations). Does the logo they created reproduce easily on other mediums: screen-printing (shirts) or promotional items (cups, pens, jump drives)? Remember, if your logo looks amateurish, then so will your business.
Business owners often invest a lot of time and money in property and equipment but let their logo design fall by the wayside. Your logo is the first impression of your business. Invest the time and money to make sure your logo is unique and memorable.
Lesson learned – A quick fix is never long term.
Graphic Design Firm –
If you need to develop your logo along with other marketing materials (website, brochures) for your business, hiring a professional graphic design firm is your best option. But exactly what kind of firm should you hire?
Should you hire a boutique shop or a full-service agency? Are they a new firm or do they have a long-standing reputation with the business community? Have they worked with clients in your industry? Do they have an understanding of your audience and market (business-to-business versus business-to-consumer)?
Unlike typical job-shop design houses, Tribe Design offers a cost-effective, step-by-step approach to creating and solidifying a consistent brand image. With a design firm like Tribe, you get a partner that applies expertise to any project or program that reflects your brand and increases lead generation with tools like a professional logos, interactive websites and effective corporate and product brochures.
Lesson Learned – Not all design firms are created equal.
If you are looking for a professional logo design but are also seeking a true creative partnership to develop your visual brand and marketing communications, contact us today to see how we can help your “Brand Building by Design”.