We work with startup fashion brands all the time, and one of the number one things I hear is, “How do I develop my logo on a budget?” It’s a tough question, but here are three easy steps to really get that logo design off the ground.
1. Check Out the Competition.
What are the brands out there that you aspire to be like? You’re not going to copy them but you definitely want to build a vision board or Pinterest board incorporating all of the different logo designs you feel really resonate with who your brand is and what you want your brand to be.
2. Develop a Vision Board Reflecting the Spirit of Your Brand.
What inspires you? What do you want your brand to be over time? Keep in mind, your brand doesn’t change season after season, but your collections and your products may change. This brand needs to stick with you, so do your homework and spend some time with this one.
3. Weigh Your Logo Design Options.
There’s a variety of logo design options to consider. There are a lot of sites out there where you can input the name of your logo and they’ll generate a few different logo variations. However, you should be working with a person.
Your budget may vary. We have clients who work with people that spend up to $2,000 for logo development and even some who have gotten away with it for as little as $5-$10. They researched a variety of different platforms that connect brands with different graphic designers. Fiverr is one of the cheapest ones out there, and to be honest, you kind of get what you pay for. However, if this is only for your first iteration, it may not be a big deal.
The next step up is to take a look at a platform like Upwork. Upwork will connect you with thousands of designers internationally. You’ll get a chance to see their portfolios and evaluate their work for yourself before you hire them.
The third option I like to recommend is 99designs. 99designs is one of my favorites because you can actually get an entire brand development program at a bid, and I think the highest bid is something like $1500. Now, you might say to yourself, “Well, $1500 is kind of a lot of money,” but you get to choose from the best graphic designers affiliated with 99designs. You run a contest, you choose the best designers, you work with them for another couple of rounds, and then you end up with something you really love. Remember, we didn’t talk about agencies, we didn’t talk about hiring any big fancy creative directors here. This is really for those of you on a budget looking to get that first logo off the ground.
Good luck with developing your logo!