I plan to spend this year really branding myself and I'm not 100% thrilled with my current logo. I have pretty strict specifications on what my logo needs to accomplish (needs to emboss well and look good in black and white or color) and I need someone GOOD to pull it off for me.


I'm getting tot he point of frustration. I'd planned to have this completed by Christmas and all of my marketing materials done by now. I've been through 2 logo designers already who, while they did provide decent looking logos, did not, at all, follow the two specifications I asked for. All the logos provided to me could not be used in black & white.

Anyone have any recommendations? I need this done - now.


Thanks!
Melody

Hey Melody,

I used Marie at http://www.steiert-design.com.
I love her because she will go back to the drawing board and really work to get exactly what you want.

Before the Great Crash, a few of you had indicated that you had used an auction-type design service with success. I checked it out at the time and it looked like some good ideas being created. In general, you offer a design contest, post how much you'll pay, and then designers accept the challenge and come up with some draft designs based on what you say you want, your current branding, etc. Typically you get several designs then you pick one and "finish" the project. Can you guys re-post this web-site? Melody, this might be an option for you to get several different approaches to your design.

My boyfriend is a graphic designer and he did my logo for me. You can get in touch with him if you like and just tell him I recommended you to him.

Don Haring Jr.
haring design & illustrations

I am not biased because he is my boyfriend, his is very good at what he does and has won many awards for his illustrations. He is a very good listener and that translates well into the designs he gives his clients.

Thanks Jill! I sent you a PM!




Hey Jeff!

It's worth1000.com that has that contest. I'm considering it. I am oh-so-frustrated with the entire process - that may be a good option for me. Thanks!

http://www.studiox.us

They did my web-site and my old logo before I changed my company name. Michael is awesome!

www.calebvw.com

incredble artistry & branding...can't beat him!

Thanks guys, I'm checking all these out. Anyone else have any suggestions?

That's not the one I'm thinking of that some other folks at OSP have used. Anybody else?

I like http://www.ericahernandezdesigns.com

But that might just be me!:)

Hi
I am just getting started and these guys are working on my logo and business cards now and have been very good and resposive to what I have asked for.

http://www.two-che.com/

I have been working with Evan Schultz [evan@two-che.com].

Good Luck!
It is SO hard.

-Shii

Yep yep! http://www.chocolatecactus.com -- Jodi Bell is amazing and has done my marketing materials and is working on a few logo projects for me right now.

She has even done logos for Bludomain (when they offered that service) for awhile too.

I loved working with Amy Grace at www.theenvyeffect.com.

She rocked (even did my promo DVD for the last bridal show I did).

my designer is having a lot of photographer promotions this month -
go to www.threepaperpigs.com - and email her she's great. i got exactly what i was looking fo without really even knowing exactly how to go about explaining it.

<3 k.

We are working with foundryadco.com on a new identity with them now, and they are doing an amazing job!!!! We can e-mail you some things to show you what we've come up with if you'd like to see. When AManda was a designer at an ad agency, she worked with some of these guys and knows they do outstanding work!!!!

(amanda here )

Hey - i got me some ghosts

.....

Jeff might be talking about elance.com
Haven't done it myself, but I think some others posted about this

...thanks for all the tips guys! Good source of info here.

im not sure how much branding you are looking to do, but if you are serious about creating a brand, and not just a logo, i would highly recommend ELEVATION. these guys are phenomenal and you've seen their work before i promise (they do much of the higher end branding materials in our industry).

i think it depends on what you are looking for though. if you are more interested in just a logo or letterhead, then a graphic designer might be your best bet. if you are truly interested in creating a uniform brand, then you want want to check out elevation or red door. both of these are going to obviously be more, but you are getting much more than just a logo (assuming you want or need more).

You guys rock! I'm definitely going to explore my options an choose carefully. Thanks!

mike jones

www.movementofthought.com

sick.

the end.

I agree with Luke on his suggestions.
I'll be using Red Door this year to create my brand image in total.

It's spendy no doubt, but worth every penny in the end.

Here's the site I was looking for - http://www.designoutpost.com/

You can go to their Project Forums and look over it for projects creating logos for other photographers. You can see the creative process in action.

Basically, you create a project and tell the designers how much you're willing to pay. They then start offering drafts and you select a "winner" to finish the project. Good potential I think.

Jeff

We are using Red Door and are in the middle of the branding process. We couldn't be more impressed with them and even though they are definitely pricey, it is absolutely 100% worth it. Let me know if you want more info!!! We love them

Go with Red Door. Those guys are pricey, but worth every penny. We're in the middle of the process with them and couldn't be happier.

They did Becker's branding, they're doing Davina Fears, and a couple others as well.

I can't recommend them enough.

Can you define "pricey"? $3-5K? More?

Melody,

Maybe I can help you out?

http://clearfocusdesigns.com/work/logo/

If you're interested, you can contact me via my site.

Hey guys.. this post is from 2007.

HA! That's the best. Nice catch! Melody's post date was February 4 too. Spooky!

I also design them, it's my job.

Shaun, some good stuff there!