Budget Suggestions for Hiring Logo Design Company

Mar 18
2013

building-budget-transparency

No business owner wants their logo or marketing materials to appear like an amateur has put them together. When a potential customer goes to compare to like companies, the one that appears more knowledgeable and appealing will often win them over. Attractive marketing materials are essential since they are often the first impression a person has of a company or business.

Unfortunately, hiring a talented graphic designer involves quite a bit of money. Many budgets cannot bend their budgets to accommodate this type of service. So, how does a company ensure they are not only hiring the right designer, but that they are getting them at the best possible price?

Shop Around

Do not feel like you have to sign a contract with the first graphic designer you come across. Look around. Don’t be afraid to do cost comparisons. Bring these findings with you when you meet new designers. Not everyone will be willing to budge on their price but perhaps a designer you just love will agree to bridge the gap here or there. You have to negotiate. Perhaps they are firm on their estimate but are willing to throw something extra in. Or there is  a package deal with services you weren’t going to purchase but the bundle cost is too good to pass up. As in anything else, the best way to save money is to spend the time beforehand doing prep work.

Knowledge

Knowing what you are looking for and what you want beforehand will save you not only time, but also money. The more proofs, edits and redesigns you require to get the desired final product – the more you will pay a designer for their work. Take some time to do some research on design, recent trends in design and to really map out what you are seeking for your logo or marketing material. Coming to a designer with a plan with make proceedings go so much easier, thus saving you money.

Experience

Often those who want the best designers have the money to back up their wish. However, not every company can afford to hire the most skilled, most experienced or most wanted designer on the market. If you are working on a budget, your dreams of having a top notch designer may seem out of reach. However, you can find a great and talented designer without having to take out a second line of credit. Once you get past having to have the right ‘name’ behind your work, you can focus on upcoming designers who have loads of talent. These new designers may not have the experience or notoriety, but they can still produce stellar work that will grab the attention of your client base. It will require research to find the right designer, but it will be worth it in the end.

Protection

As a business owner, you need to protect yourself. Look for a designer or company that has been around for a while. Check their feedback rating at places like the Better Business Bureau. Ask your local Chamber of Commerce if they have heard anything about the company. Do an online search to see if there is anyone online talking about the designer, their work or their design firm. If you cannot find anything doing this research, ask the designer about insurance. A serious graphic designer will carry some type of liability insurance. Having insurance is a strong indication that the designer is serious about what they do.

Combine Services

Many companies offer in-house design services as part of their packages and deals. Instead of first seeking out a graphic design, considering choosing your printing company first and ask them to add on design services. Often this arrangement will save you money since the printing company is seeking first and foremost to acquire your printing needs and is offering design as an added bonus.

There are multiple ways to save costs when it comes to procuring a graphic designer for your needs. Doing the necessary research beforehand will go far when it comes to saving money and sparing your budget. Avoid rushing into making a decision and don’t be scared to negotiate. These techniques will ensure that you trim unnecessary fat from the cost of design and get the marketing pieces you are hoping for.

The post Budget Suggestions for Hiring Logo Design Company appeared first on Design Reviver - Web Design Blog.

Portfolio | Environments | Spear

Mar 09
2012

Rarely do we get the opportunity to flex all of our muscles at the same time, but Spear Inc. in Mason, OH let us take the reigns, and rework their identity, their website, their environmental branding and their interior design, simultaneously.

It takes a lotta guts to give over that much control so we worked our hardest to make sure they knew they made the right decision. We turned their 1980’s office park reception and label plant into the global headquarters it really is. From first impression to conference to factory tour to closing handshake, Spear’s clients can get an impression of who Spear is, the value they bring as partners, the way they have changed the beverage label business, their innovations, milestones, and organizational and geographical advantages.

Spear has an amazing story and it was our job to tell it as clearly as possible and make sure they look like the global player they have already grown up to be.

Portfolio | Interactive | Spear Systems

Mar 08
2012

Perhaps the most important component to your identity is your website. It is the one piece that has the ability to have a conversation with the public at any time of day, in any country, on any device. We felt very strongly about refreshing Spear’s website when we revised their identity, for just that reason. We designed the style  and story delivery and Spear implemented our recommendations. Spear’s new site efficiently an emotional and informative brand story and is a great front door for this international company.

Portfolio | Identity | Spear Systems

Mar 08
2012

A new comprehensive identity system for a global supplier of clear, pressure-sensitive labels for the beverage and packaging industries. Spear Systems— an the industry leader in innovative and sustainable packaging—wanted to update their existing mark to better reflect their global reach and broader capabilities. They also needed to create a graphic standard hierarchy for integrating a number of other product names and company-wide initiatives. Our solution embraces the DNA of the original mark, retaining general shape and colors while incorporating a more dynamic, emotional global shape.

Colonel De

Oct 02
2010

colonelde

Our old friend De Stewart, aka Colonel De asked us to help him with his latest project, a gourmet herb and spice shop located in historic Findlay Market in the Over-the-Rhine historic district of Cincinnati. We jumped at the chance and are proud to show off our latest brand. This new logo and graphic system will be translated through all the “touch points” – everything from packaging to store interiors; from website to branded merchandise. Stay tuned for all the latest from the Colonel.

RELATED LINKS | IDENTITYPRINT

Portfolio | Identity | Colonel De Gourmet Herbs and Spices

Sep 28
2010

Our old friend De Stewart, aka Colonel De asked us to help him with his latest project, a gourmet herb and spice shop located in historic Findlay Market in the Over-the-Rhine historic district of Cincinnati. We jumped at the chance and are proud to show off our latest brand.

De is known for his likeness and especially the mustache, so that became equity we could build on for his identity. We wanted to show that professional chefs and  home cooks alike appreciate what De offers. So we tried to design something “Professional but Approachable.”

This new logo and graphic system will be translated through all the touch points – everything from packaging to store interiors; from website to branded merchandise. Stay tuned for all the latest from the Colonel.

RELATED LINKS | PRINT

Portfolio | Identity | Envy Salon

Sep 24
2010

Envy Salon came to us with a clean sheet of paper and asked us to help design a new salon here in Cincinnati, Ohio. We developed the name “Envy” with input from the client. We wanted something a little fun, a little forward, and something that got to the heart of why you might spend time and money on your image.

It was important to us that everything the client sees or touches in the salon reflects the same fun and forward personality. We designed an identity system, collateral and web site to compliment the name and the range of products and services the salon was to offer. We tried to keep it clean and fresh and look like an attractive national brand while retaining some local charm.

Portfolio | Interactive | CareSource

Sep 21
2010

A Source of Comfort

CareSource is there for its clients, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We designed the look and feel of their new website in concert with their print and environment. Consistency at every touch point is what strengthens a brand’s presence in the minds of consumers. We believe that the website should not only look familiar, but feel familiar. White Design Studio worked with their internal marketing and management teams to develop an information architecture that was approachable, useful and customizable by the user to address needs such as sight deficiencies.

RELATED LINKS | DETAILSPRINTENVIRONMENTSIDENTITY

Marvelous Logo Redesigns and Inspiration

Aug 10
2010

In today’s news round-up we take a refreshing look at quite possibly the most difficult and challenging aspect of graphic design, which is logo design. We have some inspirational posts and some highly educational logo redesign round-ups which should stimulate all of your creative minds and inspire you in your next logo design project.

23 Of The Best Logo Redesigns In 2010

23 Of The Best Logo Redesigns In 2010

23 Of The Best Logo Redesigns In 2010

23 Of The Best Logo Redesigns In 2010 →

15 Famous And Successful Logo Redesigns – What Has Been Improved?

15 Famous And Successful Logo Redesigns - What Has Been Improved?

15 Famous And Successful Logo Redesigns - What Has Been Improved?

15 Famous And Successful Logo Redesigns – What Has Been Improved? →

50+ Creative Logo Designs With Hidden Thought

50+ Creative Logo Designs With Hidden Thought

50+ Creative Logo Designs With Hidden Thought

50+ Creative Logo Designs With Hidden Thought →

25 Inspirational Logos You Wish You Had Thought Of Yourself

25 Inspirational Logos You Wish You Had Thought Of Yourself

25 Inspirational Logos You Wish You Had Thought Of Yourself

25 Inspirational Logos You Wish You Had Thought Of Yourself →

By Paul Andrew (Speckyboyand speckyboy@twitter).

Awesome Resource: User Interface Design Framework

Jul 27
2010

Today’s news focuses on only one single design resource… and what a FREE resource it is! It is The User Interface Design Framework from webalys.com, which is basically a huge design framework that consists of a complete GUI library, a set of of 260 minimal vector icons and a massive Illustrator style library. This is a must have resource for any professional designer.

License: The framework has been released as a complete web designer kit for free, even for commercial use.

You can download the UI Design Interface here: User Interface Design Framework
You can view the details of the framework below:

GUI Library

User Interface Design Framework

The GUI elements are based on common interface patterns (accordion, expandable panel, progress bar, tags, slide show…), that integrate usability good practices and are perfect for wireframes and interface design.

Vector Icons Library – 260 Minimal Icons for Free

User Interface Design Framework

This pixel precise icon collection have been created specifically for interface and web designers. They are based on a precise 16 pixels grid, which means that they stay clear and have a crisp look even at small sizes.

Graphic Styles Library

User Interface Design Framework

The Graphic Styles Library consists of 200 graphic styles for buttons, navigation menus or panels and 330 swatches harmonized with graphic styles for backgrounds, typography and other GUI interface elements.

You can download the UI Design Interface here: User Interface Design Framework

By Paul Andrew (Speckyboyand speckyboy@twitter).