Company Logo Design Help (NSR)

[Core Shot]

Anyone have decent experience with creating a new logo?

I've been trying to use some local design resources and just haven't got anything that clicks. Then again, I haven't tried an experienced logo design firm.

Tempted to try www.logoworks.com
at least they offer several designs from different design teams, and then you can refine the best one.
For $509 I get 5 different designers to each give me 2 logos. That's 10 different logos in diferent styles an directions that might just get something that works.

Right now, working with just one designer, I feel like I get stuck in a loop. More variety might be what I need.

Who does the TGR designs? Obviously the main TGR logo with the mountains and the heli is pure perfection, but even the logos for most of the movies are pretty freaking good. Is that a difficult process? Or is it just the result of natural talent - e.g., not all graphic designers can do logos.

Any help, advice, etc appreciated.

[Cyber Cop]

That seems like a pretty sweet deal if they do nice work, and a quick browse of the site looks like they do. You could easily spend that on 1 design, and if you are feeling frustrated with the current designs your getting I'd jump on it.

If you go with them report back your experience.

[4-TEEF]

Tell us what sort of business you are trying to represent and show us the roughs that you already have. The hardest part of logo design (for most people) is accurately defining/distilling their business BEFORE talking to a designer. It takes a very good and experienced designer to coax the right information out of a client.

Logoworks pays shit wages to designers who are either not good enough to be hired by anyone else or not experienced enough. This doesn't mean that you won't get a decent product but it does mean that you will probably get some pretty generic solutions. Logoworks uses a "shotgun" type of approach where they figure that if they have 5 different designers spend 2-3 hours each they will end up with something that the client likes. I don't really like this approach but depending on the business this might be exactly the solution that you need.

[squirrelmurphy]

people here have enough creativity and free time that if you post a general idea of what you're looking for, chances are someone will avoid doing their real work to come up with something for you. its happened before, i'm pretty sure.

edit: 4-t33f beat me to it. what he said

[Blurred]

Check this place out Core-

http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/

Very cool for what you're looking for.

[Core Shot]

Check this place out Core-

http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/

Very cool for what you're looking for.

Thanks, Brett. Pretty fucking cool site. Freelance jobs via the internet. - did not know that even existed.
For less money than logoworks.com I should be able to get many more attempts.

If there are any mags in the design biz that want to take a crack at this, PM me so we can exchange email and design criteria. I'm willing to pay for a winning design. I just can't afford to pay for the meter to be running during a fishing expedition.

[PeachesN'Cream]

well...

as a graphic designer i'd say you usually get what you pay for.

the $500 place will probably get the job done but i wouldn't expect a great logo.

if you really care about the quality of the logo hire a designer or a design agency and get some really fitting and unique options that are really well thought out and custom to you.

i gaur-un-tee any logo that comes to your mind as being memorable, good, really fresh, or really smart did not come from a $500 one stop logo shop.

good luck!

[jibij]

BC's right. A great logo is more than a cool icon. It has to capture and represent the businesses core mission and be technically capable of transferring accurately across an infinite number of sizes and mediums. A good designer is more than artistic. They're good listeners and communicators.

What you likely won't get from the one-stop-logo-shop are graphics standards and a brand management plan. They're equally important.

[Core Shot]

well...

as a graphic designer i'd say you usually get what you pay for.

the $500 place will probably get the job done but i wouldn't expect a great logo.

Agreed.
Sorry to be that cheap ass client you love to hate.

Much respect to the graphic designers of the world, but:
1) this ain't no publicly traded company or soon to be franchise
2) money is tight
3) nothing about the business screams "logo me" but the logo I inherited is dated and confusing. What I end up with will prolly be pretty boring to you, but at least cleaner and crisper than what I got now.
Mostly, it needs to be easily read on the side of a van or on a building sign.
4) working with a designer with the meter running is like working with a lawyer with the meter running. I can't afford either meter right now.
5) a logo will neither make nor break this business.

I am meeting with another local designer Weds., but a lot will depend on how he wants to charge me and what type of ideas he has.

[meatdrink9]

Based on what you're looking for I say go with the cheapies. Everyone will be happier in the end. It doesn't sound like you need anything all that sophisticated. It sounds more like you just need someone who's cheap and knows software.

[Blurred]

No disrespect to any designers out there, but most of the logos I see carry the respect of the company....that comes a long time after the logo has been designed. There are a lot of really goofy logos out there that look good because we've grown to respect the company in which the logo represents.

Take this one for example:



Dumbest logo ever, but it's known for everything it represents, and therefor is respected. (unless you're not allowed to work in sweat shops)

[be]

We had the guys at Logoworks do our logos at my last firm (they're based down in Provo). Its a pretty efficient process and they do good work for the price...b

[flytrip]

I used Logoworks to design my logo, and was happy with them. I can recommend them with confidence.

[PeachesN'Cream]

Sorry to be that cheap ass client you love to hate.

i wasn't intending to do any harm, just giving my take. it sounds like logoworks will do a fine job for you especially since you listed a bunch of issues (cost, simple look upgrade etc...) that really influence who will be best for you to work with. plus it sounds like others have done work with them and been pleased with the results.

also when you talk with the other designer ask about doing a flat project rate instead of hourly.

good luck and feel free to share the solutions they come up with. i'd be intersting to see.