It defines you. It is the first contact that the consumer, potential investors, partners and buyers will have with you and your product/service. Some logos have been deemed legendary and are able to stand alone without the name of their business (duh! Nike?). Others have chosen to take the name of their business and have THAT encompass their logo and identity (Yahoo!, Google). Some have been designed in house. Others have chosen to pay a professional to "Get it right".
Which is the best way to go?!
When we first started toying around with business ideas, I did the research and realized that most of these pros take between 1-5 weeks for "corporate identity design" (logo, letterhead, business cards) and cost between $600 - $5000. :::gasp::: "For a LOGO???" "It's just a logo".
Is it really JUST a logo?! If it was just a logo, why do MANY see the benefit in for a self-proclaimed professional to do the design? Possibly because it is important - it is WHO your business is, and depending on the success of your business can speak to and for the company. Think about it: Describe Nike's logo. How about Adidas (how about BOTH adidas logos)? Pepsi? MTV? However, many successful companies have taken off without memorable logos. Describe MySpace's logo. "MySpace has a LOGO?". Yes and despite having a logo that is relatively indescribable by the average person, MySpace also has roughly 40MM page visits a MONTH.
So again we ask, what's in a logo? And is it worth the investment? Some say no - your logo doesn't matter, your branding, however, does. Nike, Adidas, Pepsi and MTV have powerful MEMORABLE logos because they've spent time and effort on their branding. MySpace has not (again, describe their logo).
I don't know. I'm still undecided.
Where we're at with our logo: After the research, and the sticker shock I discussed with the Sherna and we decided that it wasn't a great use of money to pay someone 4 figures to develop a logo, at this stage in the game (and maybe at ANY stage of the game). So we shelved it, bought Adobe Illustrator and started getting active in our network. And quickly realized we've got friends who are a lot more talented than we had realized who have also developed a handful of logos for us. Most likely we'll go live with one of these. As far as what the future holds "only time will tell".
We're just hoping we can avoid looking like every other "Web 2.0 Logo". Think there's no similarities - take a look. GroupThink in FULL effect. It's so bad someone has created a Web 2.0 Logo Generator.
Look familiar?
Now Playing: Matisyahu - Exaltation (Live at Stubbs!)
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3 comments:
I think for offline businesses logos are much more valuable, as it can be used to stick in people's minds better. With online ventures it's more about overall content and how 'bookmarkable/feedable' your site is (thus the lack of a good MySpace logo, or Google, or Yahoo!).
Since your idea seems to be a bit of a crossover, I'd suggest putting some money into getting an eye-catching logo. But you don't need to spend thousands to get a quality logo. Check out your local design schools and you'll find dozens of eager and talented young people trying to make their mark in their industry. I've never paid more than $180 for a logo.
We're trying craigslist at the moment. Quotes have come back in the range of $100 - $3200 bucks. HAHA. Didn't people see "we're on a TIGHT budget" comment in my posting.
The portfolios amaze me: talented artists, beautiful logos and UGLY logos.
We want to avoid the Web2.0 logo craze.
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