Custom Logos

[Alillowr 0]

I was just wondering if anyone knows if there are any forums online where you can post up a request for a custom logo.  I have been getting requests from people that do not have one yet lately.  The reason I ask is I am not very handy in the creativity department and if I could find a place that does this kind of service for free or extremely cheap would be a very great resource.  A lot of the times they would want to see a logo before it is paid for, so I do not want to be paying for a service if I can help it that would not lead to a sale for the vinyl graphic.  If anyone has any ideas, I would like to hear them. 

[bk2design 1]

well, you could post your details here and see if one of us could help you

[Alillowr 0]

Here is a current request that I have recieved from a potential customer copy and pasted:

"I don't have a logo yet, the name of the electrical company is Sir Sparks and I am thinking of an illuminated light bulb wearing a top hat, monocle, and fancy waxed moustache.

The emphases will be on super clean and polite service calls we will wear carpet protector slip over shoe covers, white gloves for handling customer items, we will treat the customer as if we were their butler and give them the "Royal Treatment"  all things I'd like somehow in the graphics but if you can think of something better than the light bulb let me know.

I have included a pic. of my buddies service van to give you ideas; lots of colour and detail. In the bottom corner you'll see a logo I may not reproduce but would like similar; I would suggest a 1st prize medal type logo with the following by it's side. "

Attached is the picture he had sent me with the email.

If anyone can help I would gladly appreciate it.

[JoeCamaro 11]

Making logos is a serious business. That is what identifies a company and people should pay for that. Free logos can be done using clip arts, vector arts and stuff like that, after all they are not paying. If they want an unique logo they shoud hire a graphic artist.

Just my 2 cents.

Joe

[BannerJohn 1,324]

I love the lightbulb with tophat idea! I am not very good at things like that either BUT all of those things shoud be easy to find...just a matter of combining them into one image. If I had the time (which I don't) I could probably even do it. Why don't you give it a shot? You have nothing to lose.

[laserman70 2]

I have done a few logos for the industry that my business focuses on.  You have to remember, this can take some time.  You need to let them know there will be a charge for the time involved, you cannot develop a quality logo in 10 minutes.  They usually want many changes before the final design is done.  You also reserve the right to the artwork unless they want to buy the artwork from you for a price.  Copyright laws have changed over the years. Once you produce the logo for them, print the work and put it in a sealed envelope with the date and your signature on it.  People who want logos done dont realize the amount of time this process can take before it is completed. 

You can grab some images from the net, alter them by adding what you want or draw your own design.  Just remember that whatever you use from the net is most likely copyrighted as well. 

I went to google and typed in lightbulb man, lightbulb cartoon, butler and tophat art and found alot of things to give you some great ideas.  Just my .02

[haumana 1,220]

I like to use these guys every once in a while.

http://logo-design-studio.com/default.cfm

[23putts 0]

You need to take the time and learn to create your own artwork.  Depending on other people will eventually cause you problems..Try to get a decent clipart collection together and pick up a used version of Corel Draw.  You will be well on your way....Try telling your customer once they give you and order you will work on their logo until they are happy.  Doing artwork for free will waste many hours of your life...Trust me, I speak from experience....

[JoeCamaro 11]

Very true 23

[haumana 1,220]

Well, some of us are right-brain impaired. That'd be me  :'(

I'm good with the tech and logic stuff, not to so good with the creative stuff ... well, not in the design aspect, although I'm a decent MacGyver every once in a while.

[rebjr 0]

Making logos is a serious business.

I concur 100% with Joe. Thee is a lot of thought and work, not to mention design talent, that needs to go into designing a logo for a company. One does not have to be able to draw, there is enough clipart on the market to create almost anything that the mind of man can think up, and most especially in the example given using a light bulb/top hat/mustache.

When chosing clipart collections buy only vector clip art. Collections built using bitmaps all too frequently provide very small, poorly drawn, low resolution images. With vectors you have clean art that can be sized to meet a multitude of needs, and you can "take it apart" and add it to other art to create your overall design.

Also, the number 1 mistake that most people, professionals included, make is that they do not consider the various advertising/promotional media that the logo may be used on. Vehicle, letterhead, business cards, t-shirts, ballcaps, inkpens, book matches, the list goes on and on. Keep colors to a minimum, and although fades (halftones, etc.) are pretty they are costly to reproduce in most medias. Keep colors as few as possible.

Study popular national logos to get an idea of the way colors, objects, text are arranged to give you ideas.

[JoeCamaro 11]

I agree with rebjr

You also have to visualize the logo in one color keeping in mind it could be posted in a newspaper and unless you are rich and can pay a full color ad, they b/w is the way to go.

[Alillowr 0]

Thanks everyone for the input.  I had convinced him to go with a company that specialises in logos and explained to him the same kind of things that were mentioned here.  I decided that even though I would probably be able to come up with something he would like, I would rather save the headache and time that goes into making a decision for a logo (especially since I never even met the guy or seen the company before, I would have no idea what his taste is and dont think that I would get one conversing just through email).  Id rather be cutting

[rebjr 0]

Wise choice IMHO, folks will run you ragged having you change this and that. Most people don't have any idea of what they want, if you have a working relationship they may listen to you and everybody comes out a winner. If you don't have that working relationship, money up front just to consider the job is a must, or you can spend hours working on something and never collect a dime.

Of course you could take him to small claims court, but small claims seldom if ever get collected and it could tarnish your reputation.

[polarkiss 1]

Wise choice IMHO, folks will run you ragged having you change this and that.

If you don't have that working relationship, money up front just to consider the job is a must, or you can spend hours working on something and never collect a dime.

I have had this problem more times than I want to think about.  I used to be super nice and real lax about designing things for people and I spent countless hours unpaid in front of the computer. 

Now I tell people upfront that the logo design service is $80.  That includes 2 hours of design, 3 choices to pick from and 3 changes to the design they pick.  They get 1 burned copy of the design on a disc, each additional disc is $5.  Final designs are saved in Vector & Rastor, Full color, spot color and black and white.  And saved in several formats.  This way they can use them for signs, garments, websites, any promotional stuff.

After the design is finalized, any extra designing is $40 per hour, 15 minute minimum. And they are warned beforehand if they will be charged.

Your time and talent is valuable, and needs to be accounted for. Oddly enough I have also learned that people expect to pay more for quality work. It is almost like if you don't charge enough that they think they are not getting a quality product.  If you do decide to create logo's for people don't sell yourself short.

my two cents!

[Guest fivestar]

All you logo designers on here and I posted a few weeks back I needed help coming up with a logo and nobody but 1 person replied?  :'( 

BTW, still looking for one... Skin's Computers and Graphics 

[haumana 1,220]

left-brainer here ... i can only recommend: http://logo-design-studio.com

[JoeCamaro 11]

All you logo designers on here and I posted a few weeks back I needed help coming up with a logo and nobody but 1 person replied?   :'( 

BTW, still looking for one... Skin's Computers and Graphics 

I will think about it 5star

[rebjr 0]

fs .. Tell me a little bit about the name ... skins .. what's the background on it? and what are your limitations for computer tech and graphics? This is an odd marriage, I would consider 2 different businesses/identities. Just because the 2 don't fit like say .. engine and transmission repair, etc.. How do you envision the tie in? Which is the business that you want to concentrate on .. fixin' em or usin' em to create?

Would prolly help one in creating something for you to look at, and mebbe use down the road.

[Guest fivestar]

rebjr, check your PM

[Guest Terry]

I was just wondering if anyone knows if there are any forums online where you can post up a request for a custom logo.  I have been getting requests from people that do not have one yet lately.  The reason I ask is I am not very handy in the creativity department and if I could find a place that does this kind of service for free or extremely cheap would be a very great resource.  A lot of the times they would want to see a logo before it is paid for, so I do not want to be paying for a service if I can help it that would not lead to a sale for the vinyl graphic.  If anyone has any ideas, I would like to hear them. 

You are on a free site with some people who graphic design for a living.

[laserman70 2]

All you logo designers on here and I posted a few weeks back I needed help coming up with a logo and nobody but 1 person replied?   :'( 

BTW, still looking for one... Skin's Computers and Graphics 

Give me some ideas of what you are looking for. Colors, design ideas, shapes and any ifo you would like it to look like.

I am sorry i missed your post earlier about a logo it has been crazy here.  I jump on when i can.

thanks

Gregg

[rebjr 0]

Hey FiveStar, how about this lil' quickie ..... just had some doodle time .....

[Guest Terry]

Hey FiveStar, how about this lil' quickie ..... just had some doodle time .....

I myself love it, nice job. 

[CyberSultan 6]

That does look good.  + 1