Topic: Crappy pay, crappy logo! Think twice cheapskates!
THIS IS ALL IN MY OWN OPINION AND HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE VIEWS OR BELIEFS OF ANY OTHER DESIGNER. (although it may)
I know that this is probably well pointed out within the site, but I really hate the fact that people insist on paying such a low amount to very talented designers. I know that there are probably several places or people on the web that'll do a logo for you for like $20, but you'll end up with something along the lines of clip-art revised, that maybe 5 or 10 people already have. It's not like it's YOUR logo. More like it's anyone's who wants to pay for it.
If you want to charge less than $300 for a logo, think about this:
Most of the talent that you see went through some kind of training that took several years and thousands of dollars. They worked hard on projects and had long brutal hours of studying and competing to be the best at what they do. Concepts, thumbnails, sketches, and perfection go into every little logo that's produced. It takes hours to make something to brand your company for the rest of it's days.
You as the client must keep all of this in mind. It's not just a little symbol to which you identify your company with. IT IS YOUR COMPANY!! When people see that little symbol, they will know it's you, and in most cases that's the only way they know it's you.
You as the client must pay for all of this. You have to consider that you are not just paying for a logo, you are paying for all the time that designer put into learning this trade skill. You are paying for all the hours spent on perfecting your company's identity. This little symbol will make your company pull in more money and profit than the meager price you pay to have it made.
Here is something helpful:
• An entry level Graphic Designer should pull in anywhere from $25-30,000 per year. That's with just the education alone.
• Most designers should be paid at least $50-100 per hour.
• It takes at least 5-10 hours for a good logo. Or maybe some really good sketches and concepts.
• On average it can cost $500 for a logo, and that's not including owning the rights to it. (That's a whole other ball game.)
These are just some small pointers. I mean if you want to pay $40 for a logo fine. But all you'll get is $40 worth of work. That's what, 35-40 minutes worth of design? Not a good investment on your company's future identity.
Keep all these things in mind when hiring a designer. If you want clip-art, fine. If you want a sketch for a logo, fine. But if you want something that'll say something about you and your company, something that'll stand out in the crowd, you have to pay for it.
And you designers have to stay strong! I'm married with a son, and we have a ton of bills, but I refuse still, to be paid such a lousy amount for something I put all my efforts into. It may seem tempting to get $100 towards a bill, but by the time you finish the design, it may not seem like it was worth all the effort. My logos are my babies. I spend time and energy just thinking of what to do for a company. To get into the desire of the client for their company. I want to make a logo solely for them. No other company will fit with a logo I create. This is at least my goal.
Stay strong!
To you seeking the professional design:
Don't degrade our profession, Don't be a cheapskate.
J
Last edited by jmill (Jul 01 - 8:09 pm)