But you don’t want to place your brand in the hands of just any old designer. You want to choose somebody with the right skills, the right experience, and, just as importantly, the right attitude.
You also want to understand how to get the most out of them to ensure the project is successful and you’re delighted with the results.
Below, I’ve put together some tips for spotting the right designer for your logo design or refresh project, along with the questions you need to ask to make sure they’re the perfect fit for the job.
While it’s true that there are plenty of bright young things out there with talent, experience still matters. Established companies have proved their worth by surviving in such a crowded marketplace. This means that they are not only likely to be very good at what they do, but also that they know how to meet deadlines, handle revisions, and make sure your project stays on track.
Any freelancer or company worth their salt should be able to provide you with a design portfolio. Looking at logos they have created for other companies should help you get a feel for their house style. Be sure to ask for more details about any companies that you do not recognise, as some designers will bolster their ‘book’ by adding fictitious company logos in amongst their real work.
The way that a designer treats prospective customers should give you a good idea of how they will behave once they get your commission. If they are tardy with their responses to your emails and phone calls before you sign an agreement, what will they be like once they’ve clinched the deal? Great customer service early on is a superb indicator as to how you will be treated once your project is underway.
Designers may be inventive, but they are not mind readers! Make sure you spend as much time as you can putting together a thorough brief so you can get your point across and leave little room for misinterpretations.
Asking for two things that diametrically oppose each other will only lead to confusion. Be clear on what you’re looking for – and make sure any other team members who are involved in the design project are on the same page, too.
Make sure that your designer is fully aware of your business and the problems it solves. A logo should represent what the benefits of using your company over your competitors are, so be sure to provide as much information on your products and services as possible in the project brief.
Knowing who your audience is will help your designer create something that appeals to the people who are likely to buy from you. This is vital, as your customers are the core of your business. Yes, it’s still important that you fall in love with your final design – but your opinions aren’t as important as those of your target customers!
Failing to future proof your logo to the best of your ability might mean that you need to revisit the design further down the line. Let your designer know the direction your company is heading in. It’s the only way they’ll be able to create something with longevity.
Although being specific about what you want is important, leaving the design stage to the designer is essential. After all, it’s what they do best, and their thought process will work far better if it is not clouded by too many questions or suggestions.
Where I differ, however, is that I deliver a stellar experience alongside top quality design concepts.
From the second you enquire with me to the moment you receive the final files for your beautiful new logo, you’ll feel well and truly looked after. And it’s this commitment to customer service that’s commented on the most by my wonderful clients, many of whom have been with me since I started up shop back in the early 1990s with my main brand, Design FX Studio.
Here are five reasons why I’m running one of the best design studios in the local area – even if I do say so myself!
I have more than two decades of experience in guiding businesses through the branding process. I understand your challenges and your frustrations. I know that this is completely out of your comfort zone. I get that design isn’t your ‘thing’. I’ll do everything I can to make you feel happy, content and in control of your investment, and I’ll talk you through everything I’m doing as your project progresses.
All too often, logo designers try to come up with exciting concepts for their clients without fully understanding what their business is about, and how their products or services benefit their target market. This isn’t me. I’ll use my brand questionnaire to get lots of useful info on what you do and why – and I’ll put myself in your customers’ shoes to create a logo that really resonates with them.
One of the advantages of having a long career in design is that I’ve worked with all kinds of companies in virtually every sector imaginable. From plumbers to professional IT services, schools to sports equipment suppliers, and coffee shops to HR consultants, I’ve helped countless businesses in all kinds of disciplines find their visual identity.
You won’t find any Clipart illustrations or overused design templates here. I create strong, distinctive brand visuals by developing all my logo designs from scratch. Sure, I can take inspiration from logos that you like the look of, and I can take a steer from previous incarnations of your own designs – but I’ll always be looking to create something fresh and exciting, that’s never been seen before.
Once I’ve completed your new logo, I can project manage absolutely every aspect of your branding and marketing, both online and offline. Whether you need to launch an email marketing campaign, optimise your site for better exposure in the search engines, or simply create and print some stunning new brochures to distribute to partners and potential clients, I can be your first and only port of call.
See for yourself why I’ve got such a brilliant reputation for logo design in Essex and beyond. Reach out via email or give me a call to discuss your project!