Logo Design

Hello all! I've finally decided that I need to move up a notch and have a logo

designed. Something that will be used on my website, blog, stationary, etc...

 

A google search for logo design turns up tons of links... a few clicks and I'm

already feeling a bit over whelmed. Many of them you can design yourself, but

I'm not a graphics designer I'm a photographer. I'm looking for places where

you can work with a designer to create something personalized that will

incorporate my personality and likes......

 

Does anyone have any recommendations, or the name of someone that they have

worked with who you were really happy with?

Michelle, there are too many, way to many factors for a good answer here, but I have some suggestions. The budget you have for this effort will be one of the greatest influencing factors. Corporate logos can run into the thousands of dollars, and I am guessing this is a bit more than you are interested in right now. I would suggest staying local. I think you may find, with a little research, some up and coming GA who might want to trade some photography for design time. Networking through this type of barter can pay off in other ways too. You just might get some unexpected referrals and they will have some portfolio shots of their work as well. Another source is local art/ design schools. Also high schools. Offer $200 for the best and you might get several good ones for further development. Grab the talent before they get too expensive.

 

The iconic Nike swoosh was designed by a college friend of Mr. Knight. Even though it was a fixed fee job, (less that $500 from the reports) he still sends her a royalty check each year.

"Corporate logos can run into the thousands of dollars"

 

Where is that? I'd like that designer please!

(If he/she's any good...).

 

20 years ago I was responsible for the the corporate identity restyling of a multi-national

corporation. The design took over a year and was a little over US$ 100 thousand. The

implementation took 3 years and cost was well over 100 million dollars US.

 

I.o.w. corporate identity change can be very, very, very expensive...

 

So, Michelle, here's a proposal: why don't you post some info about yourself and your

likes, and what you want/expect from a logo (<- that's the 'briefing'), and maybe a kind

heart can help you along.

 

A designer needs to know a lot before he/she can start designing. Like, exactly, what you

will want to use it for. Letterhead? Business card? Fleetmarking? Copyright symbol to be

incorporated in photos? Studio signage?

And what is your 'style'? Explain what you like and dislike. What the atmosphere of your

free work is. Gay? Colorful? Busy? Serene? Clean? Mono? Architectural? People?

Glamourous? Kids? Table-top? Portraits? Groups? Macro? etc. etc.

Lastly, what kind of clients did you work for, and what kind of clients do you want attract?

 

Are you ready for all of that, Michelle?

Becareful of any "symbols" or marks...they can look out-of-date or old fashioned quickly.

 

Given that you have an "eye" for good design since, after all, you ARE a photographer, and also given that you are starting out and I assume you don't have a lavish budget, why don't you give it a try and design a logo? You can go to your local library and there are often many books on logo/trademark/stationery design etc.

 

I may even by the cheap logo design programs you can get from office depot to play around with so that you can output it on a printer.

 

Finally, it isn't ABSOLUTELY necessary that you need a logo. YOu can make a perfectly attractive business identity/caption using a nice layout and a suitable font with your business name: "Amarante Photographer"

"20 years ago I was responsible for the the corporate identity restyling of a multi-national corporation."

 

Maybe slightly more that she is looking for here W. For what she described the costing on the net can be into the thousands. If she was a multi-national corporation she might not be looking on PN for help.

 

"The design took over a year and was a little over US$ 100 thousand. The implementation took 3 years and cost was well over 100 million dollars US."

 

While I am sure your efforts were heroic, again this is a simple request to the forum, I think her time frame is slightly less than the three years you reference, the budget a bit smaller and the scale may be slightly less global.

 

I echo my first response with the suggestion to stay local, small and creative.

Thanks for the thoughts on this David, W. and Phineas ..... actually I'm just a small peanut in a very large peanut gallery of photographers. The thought here is just to spend a few hundred dollars on a logo that I can use for letterhead, and website, blog, business card... basic stuff.

 

I'm not looking to have a logo that is going to make me internationally famous in the corporate world.... lol...that's just kind of silly. I just want something that's simple and won't look dated in a few years.

 

I knew in my wanderings I had seen a designer that did websites and logos by way of a link on the website of a photographer whose work I admired. I found the photographer on my bookmarks and have since found the designer. I'll be contacting her to see what can be done.

 

And Phineas I have tried designing my own in CS2 and have been unhappy with the results.... I think most of the pre-made and semi-premade ones just look hmmm.... tacky. That's the only way I can describe it.

 

I've seen at least a few photographers here and else where who have just really simple yet elegant logos... and that's what I want. And that's why I asked here. Because maybe someone knows someone.....

 

Thanks again to each of you.

You are a Photographer. Think about using a photo for your logo.

 

Or just do a type treatment of your cool name.

I think the last suggestion is great.

 

Use your own pic and compose your business name in relation to it.

 

Your website is nice...and your business graphics could reflect the same kind of simplicity. I think it your website and business stationery can be even more telling/elegant if you use another font (e.g. Futura instead of Arial/Helvetica or a simple script font)

 

Unless you are willing to hire a graphic designer and pay the big bucks so that he/she can find the appropriate "mark" which reflects accurately your business objective.

I went with using my business name and played around with different fonts and positioning. Not fancy but it works.

If you can't find a professional you like, try browsing some local galleries or art fairs, pick an artist whose style you like, and ask them if they could design a simple logo for you. They're basically in that kind of business already, and your logo would be a work of art!

Michelle, if you do give a try at designing your own logo again, www.dafont.com is a great resource for insteresting, unique fonts and they are free! Spend time looking at other photographers logos you admire, not to copy but for inspiration. The recommendation about going for a look similar to your website is also a good one. Lastly,(not sure if this was already suggested) craigslist is a great resource to find a student designer who may work with your budget. Good luck!

Hi Michelle - I do a bit everything (graphic design as well as photography) if you would like to work one on one with a designer. Otherwise, there is always Guru.com (where I look for freelance work). And you have other designers there to choose from. Let me know if I can help!

Michelle,

 

Hire a designer. Spend a little money and do it right. It's not just a "logo" you're after, but an

identity. Your comments make a lot of sense, in that you want someone to incorporate your

personality and likes. A good designer can assist you with brand imaging from the ground

up, including all phases of the project, from concept to final production.

 

Someone mentioned Guru as a source. It is one of many creative pools of online talent. Also a

good source locally for you would be colleges or art institutes, print shops (referrals), etc.

Let me add one more thing. Who did your website? That person has a keen sense of design.

You might consider that route.

 

Your site is very nice. Great work. You're halfway there already with your portfolio!

I really didn't expect to get much of response to this! Thank everyone!

 

Catherine I like your logo.... as Marc suggested I was thinking of doing something with my name..the initials with a small graphic incorporated into it and then Michelle Amarante Photography. And Marc if you can pronounce my last name you'll score 10 points, everyone seems to have problems with it! B W thanks... it's a bludomain site..... they design wonderful websites but don't do logos.

 

I'll contact those who offered to help.... would love to see samples!

Hi, Michelle, I like your site too, what template did you use, I am thinking of using bludomain, do you recommend them? I am just starting my small biz out here in Okinawa and am very new to this web design/logo stuff! Thanks so much

Pam

Hi Pam,

 

I used BD for a couple of years. And I was happy for a time, but then I started having issues with emails from clients not making it to my inbox.(which is a big issue). No, I can't recommend them. They have great templates and their prices are cheap, but their customer service is the worst. Do a google search for bludomain customer service and see what pops up.

 

When I went to purchase my 3rd template from them, and paid for it, I never received a response. I won't go into, but I finally did get my money back for the non delivered purchase, and switched template companies.

 

I'm currently using iCreations.com. for both my wedding and portrait sites. The company is owned and run by a photographer, and the customer service is top notch!