Time to Brand this Shit

[cougarclaws]

I'm looking to get a logo created for an offline project and need a print design created (2-color at most, no gradient or reflective bullshit).

Branding is crucial to rolling this project out and I'm assuming a decent budget to work with so I don't want to deal with $25 SBT yo-yo.

I want to work with someone who is going to take the time to understand the brand that I'm trying to develop, do research if necessary, and knock my fucking socks off with some professional looking work. I've talked to a few local creative agencies, but even with a budget, the $5000 they're talking about seems pretty freakin ridiculous considering I can get multiple good looking websites designed for that.

Anyone have any referrals?

 

[.Hack]

Logo Design, Web Design and More. Design Done Differently | 99designs

 

[dreamache]

I hit you up via PM with a proposition.

 

[Kaedus]

Contact me. I have a designer on staff that does all my branding, logo, web design, etc. I'll cut you a deal.

 

[mituozo]

99designs.

/thread

 

[magcshroom]

I hit you up via PM with a proposition.

Never used him, but he has some amazing work.

 

[Berto]

Also consider dropping 5 jobs on fiverr just to get some off the wall ideas. You might be able to then get a pro to turn them into something legit.

Chances are they'll suck though

 

[dreamache]

Design contests can be good for a quick project, but make sure you educate yourself before deciding that path:
http://www.logodesignlove.com/logo-warehouses-and-crowdsourcing
Info for Designers | NO!SPEC

 

[ENDed]

ALEX gets my vote

 

[Fiver]

99designs.

/thread

99 Designs is expensive, but good. I got my logo from a designer off that site.

However...you should know one thing before starting a project there. Don't 'like' a design by anyone, otherwise you will get snipers who come in late and rip that persons design and tweak it instead of giving you a completely fresh idea.

 

[Fatbat]

If you're thinking about it, contests can be a great source for ideas (think of it as a brainstorming or a focus group type of exercise), but I would still take the best of those ideas to a competent designer for the final polish and for completion of the production artwork and the branding guide.

It's also worth building a long term relationship with a designer, someone who you can work closely with going forward, who can produce consistent work and who will become the guardian of your brand.

$5000 sounds like a lot if you're not used to it, but agencies often charge a whole lot more for identity work, especially if they represent big brands (no joke, really). Companies regularly spend many times that on brand development.