In today’s post, we unpack the pros and cons of who you should hire to design your logo. Should you do it yourself, use a freelance/amatuer service online, or hire a seasoned professional? Keep reading to learn more.
There’s a growing trend, especially in the small business and nonprofit space, where marketing leaders are skimping on graphic design to save money. We understand the need to maximize revenues and “cut the fat,” so to speak, but we are concerned that in doing so, you’re unintentionally throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
There are two reasons this is happening. One is that new (often free) technologies make it easy for anyone to be an “armchair creative,” DIYing their way through logo creation and graphic design. The other is the rise of middle-man services like 99 Designs that function like a broker, offering discounted freelance graphic design services.
On the one hand, this may seem like a great deal. If you or someone on your team has an artistic aptitude and can teach themself enough to be dangerous and get the job done, that may seem like a financial win.
On the other hand, going through a freelance brokerage service may be a cheap and easy way to get an MVP design, but it will show. While you may very well save money taking one of these routes, the problem is that cheap and easy design services almost always look cheap and easy. So you end up with a weak design with no accompanying overarching strategy to properly execute.
We are not just saying this because we are professional designers. Actually, there are some cases where a DIY or quick freelance job could be a viable option for smaller inconsequential projects; but these are never solutions for high-stakes designs—especially logos!
We have worked with a number of clients who tried to do the designs themselves or hired a vending machine middle-man service that spit out a series of logos that didn’t meet their expectations. These clients are frustrated. They’ve wasted time, fallen behind schedule, and will spend even more money correcting these mistakes in the long run.
If you’re still on the fence about how to get graphic design services, there’s more to consider. Here are five more reasons you should hire a professional designer to create your logo, branding, and other high-value designs:
There are so many free tools online to create a logo or generate a color palette, but these tools don’t come with the experience and expertise you need to choose what’s best. When you work with a professional, you get access to the wisdom and discernment that comes with years of perfecting a craft.
Specifics like balance, scalability, and simplicity are essential to logo design. A professional will also be trained in the techniques and theories necessary to create a high-quality logo and brand elements. If you’re unfamiliar with other basic graphic design terms, check out our post: Graphic Design Terms You Need to Know For Marketing Success
When working with professional designers, not only will you receive a high-quality logo and associated branding, but you will also receive a wider range of services related to marketing and branding. For example, if you hire a creative agency to design your logo, you will receive a style guide and brand standards for using the logo effectively.
Furthermore, if you need help integrating other brand elements into your strategy, a pro-team will also have the chops to advise you on those aspects. If you try to DIY it or go through a broker, you will miss out on the strategic aspects of applying and promoting your logo and designs.
If you try to DIY a logo, you’ll be invested, but you will also be frustrated. Because you’re not trained to do this, it will take longer. You will get tired of tinkering with it to get it right and may end up rushing or settling for something that isn’t really what you want.
Professional logo designers and creative teams want your business to succeed. They’re not just there for a paycheck. If you request a logo through a site like 99 Designs, you miss out on the depth and attention to detail you receive when working one-on-one with a creative agency.
Plus, a creative marketing agency knows what questions to ask to really get to know you as a company. They won’t rush the process and will take time to understand your goals and execute your vision.
Read More: Learn Why a Strong Visual Rebranding Strategy Can Help You Get Unstuck
Your logo is one of the first impressions a potential customer will have of your company, so you want to be sure it is a good one. Investing in a professional logo designer is an investment in your brand that will pay off in the long run.
A professional logo designer will have the skills and expertise to create a logo that best represents who you are as a company. They will take into account your company’s values, mission, and target audience to create a logo that captures the essence of your brand.
You may be able to DIY a logo or be satisfied with a basic design from an online freelancer, but what about your other marketing collateral? How will that be updated? How does your new logo complement the rest of your visual identity?
Designing logos isn’t easy. So much goes into it for your design to be competitive and distinctive. It’s not going too far to say that your logo could make or break your business, so investing the time and resources necessary to create a great logo is essential.
Logos should be simple yet memorable and able to stand the test of time. The vending machine design services can’t compare to a professional designer who carefully handcrafts a thoughtful logo that truly captures your brand promise and elevates your message in a crowded marketplace.
As we said before, you may think you’re saving money trying to do it yourself or hiring an amateur, but this ultimately will cost you in the long run if they can’t get it right or you don’t like the designs. If you have a smaller job and want to wing it, that’s fine; just be sure you do that when the stakes aren’t that high. Your logo is valuable and deserves professional attention.
Additionally, there are other financial aspects of logo design that you may not know about that could impact your bottom line. For example, if you choose a font that requires special licensing, you could be looking at significant expenditures. There are also expenses relative to trademarks and copyrights that you need to know if that is a route you plan to pursue. A professional designer can advise you and guide you through these and other important considerations.
At the end of the day, working with a professional designer is the best way to get a high-quality logo that rightly represents your business. When you work with professional logo designers, you get valuable insights, design rationale, brand strategy, and wise counsel that comes from years of experience. If you try to obtain a logo outside of a professional’s guidance, you’re rolling the dice on an instrumental aspect of your brand.
If you’re still on the fence about whether or not to hire a logo design agency, we hope the five reasons listed above have helped sway you in favor of professional help. A good logo design agency will be invested in your success and work with you to create a logo that represents your brand well and stands out from the competition.
If you need the best logo design services for small businesses, look no further! We have worked with businesses, nonprofits, schools, and environmental organizations of all shapes and sizes. We would love to brainstorm ideas and find the right design to fully express your brand. Complete our contact form to schedule a meeting with us today!