Being Logo Wise
One subject that keeps coming up among designers and business owners alike today is the subject of inexpensive logo houses. For those of you who are unaware, there is a recent sprouting of companies known to crank out logos at an alarming rate for a very inexpensive price - some as low as $25. Some of the bigger ones include: logodesignpros.com, execulogo.com, logotwister.com, thelogocompany.net and the most infamous of them all logoworks.com.
These sites hire or put jobs up for bid to a list of members that typically include young students and internationals who can afford the time and effort for a small cut of the price. For instance, LogoWorks charges customers between $299 and $749 for a logo. They put this job up for bid to their member designers who will compete to receive $50-$70 if their logo is chosen.
Unfortunately, this has even worse side effects that are extremely detrimental to the client. Because these members are making only $50 per logo it has become a common practice to copy existing logos on the market. So, the end result is either low quality work or one that has been copied or recycled from existing trademarks. For a small, start-up business, that is bad news indeed as it will drop you in court faster than you can say, "trademark infringement".
Below is an excerpt from an interview with a member designer from LogoWorks.com who shall remain nameless:
"I know for a fact that a regular practice is to find a logo that already exists and merely change it a bit and send it off. The sheer number of logos moving through there essentially forces most designersto resort to this sort of behavior in order to make working for logoworks a cost-effective job. I'm also aware that designers work together outside of logoworks/arteis to share their logos, so as to merely 'recycle' their own logos amongst clients."
To the left is a few examples of logos designed by LogoWorks that (believe it or not) actually show up in their logo gallery. The one labeled 'Original' is a previously-existing trademarked logo. The one labeled 'Hack' is one designed recently by LogoWorks. You be the judge.
CLICK the image for a larger view.
6 Comments:
We've used thelogocompany.net for two of our logos, and are quite happpy with the work and the price. For a small company, it's difficult to justify paying $700.00 for a logo, even if one knows it's an important part of the company's image.
I certainly hope they aren't close enough to existing logos to border on a trademark violation, but we'll see.
Both logos will be up on the company's website within a few weeks.
I completely understand the need for an inexpensive solution to design work. That's the entire reason for the financial success of companies like thelogocompany.net. They serve a market who are in seek of a low-cost solution. My fear is that small business owners who flock to this type of solution will either find themselves in court or will end up re-developing the brand for an additional cost that could have been avoided. I'd say about 40% of the clients that come to me for a logo design came to me after having already paid for a logo from one of these low-cost sources. In essence, the initial savings ended up being a remarkable financial mistake.
And if you are a small business that really can't shell out big $ for a logo (Which is probably as big as your product if not bigger!) -theres other options too. Local Graphic Design schools and fresh out of school student are always looking to boost their portfolios for low cost.
on the whole - great blog - keep up the good work
What many people don't understand is that you can go to a graphic designer and tell them that you have a specific budget. Provided it isn't ridiculously low, most designers will find a way to accomodate your budget.
The architecture profession has the same problems marketing their services. It's been shown that hiring an architect, even for the smallest of building projects, can actually REDUCE the overall cost of your project AND give you a better, more tailored solution, yet the market still flocks to cookie-cutter McMansion builders. What's that result in? Having a nondescript house that rarely meets the specific needs of your family.
Same goes for graphic design work.
While the main issues with LogoWorks at the moment is their puppy-mill productions system, slave labour salaries (though the employees take part of the blame for that), and blatant and unforgivable copyright infringmenets, the biggest concern for the customer is they truly do end up with a sub-par solution.
Execulogo is a scam company. They do terrible work and give no one refunds.
I too have used thelogocompany.net for a business logo design. This company is low cost and came first in a best in test review from wired magazine.
Their portfolio is certainly unique and the service is first rate.
They also have a public forum which no other logo company seems to have.
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