Have you ever tried to build your own logo, or used a cheap online generator? If so, you’ll know that this is difficult because even though it may be cheap, you still don’t get exactly what you are looking for. Not to mention, you get a logo that hundreds of others have also. The logo design itself is not customized or specific to your brand. So what do you do? Many businesses find success in working with a design agency. According to Adobe, companies with a well-designed logo and brand identity are advancing far beyond those that don’t.
“Top companies are leading with design. Others that aren’t willing to invest in design because they think it can’t be measured or tied to ROI will fall behind. Business, as usual, is no longer good enough. Mature industries that have focused on more, better, and faster now need to adjust their thinking to include design as a key-value differentiator.”
Design is important, starting with your logo design and moving into branding, it is crucial that your design assets stand out among the rest. Sticking out in a crowded market is our job as designers, and this is solely what you are paying for. A good brand strategy will last a good amount of time, so as pricing can seem steep, think about it as an investment. Sure, you can go spend $50 on a logo design that works, but you will spend a lot of time worrying about it and a year down the road you will find yourself messing with it. In turn, this messes up your brand recognition. Having this done professionally, however, allows you to focus on the business and your tasks while saving you stress and time. Also, your new logo design and brand identity, if built properly should last at least 5 years. So as we tell all of our clients, the investment pays off over the years. This is one of those situations where you can spend a little here and there and still end up spending the same or spend it upfront and save yourself a lot of stress. There are a few things you should know before you pick a design agency and implement a new logo design, brand identity, or both. This post will tell you what you need to know to make sure you select the right fit which will let you successfully execute your design needs.
If you’re looking for a good logo design agency, the best method is to ensure you end up with a company that lets you express exactly what it is you are looking for in your new logo design. You can start by looking for these things:
- Make sure the designer lets you provide your input and reference files. If they don’t this is a red flag off the bat. Now, keep in mind that you are paying them to do what they do best, so what you are looking to do will come with some pushback. A good designer will provide reasoning on why they go against anything they do. This should not be a personal preference, rather a design standard with supporting evidence. For example, if you want some funky font, the designer should offer a custom typeface over downloading a font that will bring the quality of design down–even if you are in love with a font. The reason being, that font isn’t going to work well or cater specifically to your brand because it is built to be typed out on a birthday card, or something of the like.
- Ensure the design agency has a portfolio of design work that aligns with the style you are looking for so you know exactly what you are paying for.
- Any good design agency should keep you updated along the way and include you in the entire process. Also, if an agency or designer promises you deadlines, they better hit those deadlines or at the very least, let you know if something came up and when they need until to get you revisions, files, etc. This is important because as a business owner you need these assets as soon as possible and the longer you go without them the more time you lose on what could be building brand recognition.
While not necessary, some great bonus features of a great design agency or designer are a good personality or being easy to talk to and work with–you will be working with them for at least a month so while this isn’t exactly necessary, it is important. Answering all emails in full without leaving things out causing you the stress of chasing them down. This might sound funny, but you’d be surprised at the amount that gets run over and left behind. Again, not necessary and could be explained but this can also be a red flag of them not paying attention to detail. Lastly, this process should be fun and exciting. Work with someone who gets you riled up–in a good way!–you are not only paying for a service but an experience as well.
Now that you know all there is to know about custom logo design you’re ready to get out there and get to work without worrying about not having the knowledge. Remember how important good design is and what it can do to your profit margin. Having a plan of action when mapping out your brand strategy and using design is a smart way to set yourself up for success. Also, be sure not to receive a zip file without the agency or designer letting you know how to use the files. At ninety two we pride ourselves in being the best logo design company in Rochester, NY. Designers are a dime a dozen, so remember to choose wisely. We are always here to help, please feel free to reach out even if it is just to say hello! For all of your logo design, branding, website design, and graphic design needs please contact us!
