How To Choose A Logo Designer

1. Experience:

First analyze the previous project of the logo designer. Don’t consider about the quantity of logos. Concentrate more on his quality. Based on that you can determine what skill level the designer have and what you can expect from him.

2. Positive Testimonials:

Next thing you have to analyze is; whether they got the positive testimonials from their previous clients and colleagues? You can check that in their web address, otherwise send an e.mail to their company and ask feedback about your designer

3. The Logo Design Process:

So, once you satisfy with others feedback then check whether they have a logo design process. Just see whether they follow any strategy to design a logo or simply they are producing a logo without any pre-plan. Will you receive the file types needed for both web and the print at any size of reproduction. Since you are paying money you have full rights to know about all these things.

4. Achievements:

Next analyze whether they received any awards for their previous projects? Is their work is published in any journals, magazines or books? How they are recognized in the industry?

Ofcourse not all the awards have criteria that effectively indicate that their success will carry over to the client work, however it is still something that you have to keep in mind before hiring a good designer for your work.

5. Strength of portfolio:

Just see the strength of their portfolio? Have they got 100+ mediocre logo designs or 20-30 excellent ones? Just analyze the ration of real to fake logo designs. The fake logos here I refer is the logos made for imaginary companies rather than the logos made for original companies.

6. Price:

How much a logo design costs usually? This is the most generally asked question that everyone wants to know and it is the hardest question to answer. This is because every company has different demands. The best way is prepare a customized quote for individual companies.

The cost of the service is usually quite apparent of what you are going to get. So,don’t take price as the only indication.

7. Timeframe:

The creative logo design will take more time. The time taken to finish the project will usually depend on a number of factors such as their own availability, complexity etc. As I have mentioned above, the good logo will takes more time. It is not something that can finish within 48 hours or less than one week.

A typical logo will takes atleast 4-5 weeks. But this is not standard it may vary depend on the designer, complexity in the logo etc.

8. Transparency:

When hiring a logo designer you must want to know who you are hiring. What you want is full transparency of the designer. Here are indicators of good transparency:

The personal photo of the designer should displayed openly in their websites and social profiles.
An established blog where they write articles related to their expertise.

If the social media profiles and the blog have large fans or followers then that is the good sign. Check what other designers are saying about their work. Based on that hire that person for your project.

9. Problem Solving and Strategic Thinking Skills:

It is one of the important quality a logo designer must have. Because it is not just drawing the pictures. A professional designer will take the time to understand your business goals and use their problem solving skill to develop the most effective identity.

As a client, it is little bit difficult to identify the designer’s problem solving and strategic thinking skills. If you find your designer is conducting research and brainstorming for your project then it will be the good sign. Usually the skillful trainers use the techniques such as sketching, mind mapping etc. Because, they help to generate the most effecting design ideas.

10. Professionalism and Communication:

How do they present themselves? Whether they quickly respond to your phone calls and e.mail quickly? Do they work with a contract to protect both them and you?

11. Appropriate Questions:

A good designer should ask a different array of questions to find out your requirements and achieve your business goals. Their questions should revolve around the companies history, competitors, goals, target market, audience etc.

In a nutshell:

You should consider the following 10 points while choosing a logo designer for your company:

1. Experience and Success in previous projects
2. Positive Testimonials from their previous clients
3. Awards, Achievements, Credits, Published work etc.
4. Good Portfolio
5. Good Customer Service
6. Proper and Relevant Questions
7. Professionalism and Communication
8. Time frame
9. Transparency
10. Problem solving skills
11. Last but not least the Price.

Wednesday, 7 May 2014