I receive many requests for logo design from people who have found my work on the internet. However, most don’t realize what goes into creating a logo or what the cost will be. Here is some information which might help you decide:
Logos are much more difficult and time consuming than most people think ( a typical one takes me about 40 hours.) While my price is lower than the industry standard, it is still steep for many small businesses. I generally charge $1400 for a black & white logo design, provided there isn't any big problem with it. Since a logo is one of your most important investments, this cost will pay you back handsomely in branding value.
I find it easier to charge a flat fee rather than an hourly rate for this kind of work. This is to your advantage as well, since much of the work is invisible, either research or endless trying out of different motifs, pages of doodles and sketches which are hard to quantify and may go on for days. To see what is involved, you may wish to go to my art blog (www.emerlyearts.blogspot.com) and scroll down to the Labels on the right. Click on "Logo" to see the posts I made explaining the process of creating the ThistleDown Creamery logo.
Here is how our arrangement would work:
- Describing the Job: You would describe to me what your business is and why you want a logo. If I think I can help you, you would then decide whether you want to use my services and if so, we would do more in-depth talking about your business, things you like, the purpose for which you want a logo, how it will be used, and design issues such as color, shape, motif, etc.
- Before I actually start work on your project, I require a non-refundable deposit of $400. I will also send you a contract stating the project, the cost, and any limitations which might apply. We will both sign the contract and I will begin work when I receive the deposit.
- I will spend the next period of days or weeks doing research and making sketches. When I have come up with some designs I think will work for you, I will show you the sketches. We will discuss them and you will approve one of them or else I will go back to the drawing board to explore more ideas.
- If you do approve an idea, I will then refine it into a more formal sketch for your approval.
- Once we have a final idea and sketch, you will pay an additional $500 for the work up to this point.
- Upon receipt of the second installment, I will begin working on the final drawing, usually done with a combination of pen and ink and computer graphics. I will then scan the final drawing and prepare different files for your use (such as a high resolution file, different sizes, a web version, etc.) If appropriate, I may suggest different uses for the logo.
- When I receive the final $500 payment, I will email and ship the files to you with many thanks for your kind patronage.
|