Top 10 Tips for Hiring a Logo Designer (From a Professional)

Top 10 Tips for Hiring a Logo Designer (From a Professional)

Hiring a logo designer can be a minefield if you don't know what you're doing. 

In this no-nonsense guide, I'll share ten actionable tips to help you find the perfect designer for your brand – without breaking the bank. 

As the founder of Inkbot Design, I've been on both sides of the hiring process, so you can trust that I know a thing or two about separating wheat from chaff. 

Let's dive in!

1. Forget Cheap, Go For Value

When it comes to logo design, you get what you pay for. Sure, you can find a “designer” on Fiverr who'll knock up a quick logo for £5. But guess what? It'll look like absolute rubbish. 💩

I remember one time a client came to us after trying the cheap route. Their original logo was just…well, embarrassing. It looked like a child had drawn it in MS Paint—hardly the professional, memorable impression they wanted to make.

I understand that budgets can be tight, especially when starting. But skimping on your logo is a false economy. A well-designed logo is an investment that will pay dividends for years to come. It's the foundation of your brand identity and the first thing potential customers will notice about your business.

So forget about finding the cheapest option. Instead, focus on getting the best value for your money. Research designers, check their portfolios, and be willing to pay a fair price for quality work. Trust me, it'll be worth it in the long run.

2. Decide on Your Budget (But Be Flexible)

Speaking of budgets, it's essential to clearly understand what you're willing to spend on your logo design. But don't be too rigid – leave some room for negotiation.

When I started Inkbot Design, I had a budget of £1,500 for my logo. Little did I know that would barely scratch the surface of what a truly professional logo designer would charge. 😅

After meeting with a few agencies, I quickly realised that my initial budget was inadequate. The quotes I was getting ranged from £3,000 to £10,000 – and that was just for the logo design itself, never mind the rest of the brand identity.

I had to swallow my pride and significantly increase my budget. But you know what? It was the best decision I ever made. The logo we ended up with is clean, memorable, and perfectly encapsulates the Inkbot Design brand. It's become an invaluable asset that has served us well over the years.

So, when setting your logo design budget, do some research first. Find your area's industry standard rates and be prepared to adjust your expectations accordingly. And remember, you can always negotiate – many designers are willing to work within a client's budget if they feel it's a good fit.

3. Look for Specialised Logo Designers (Not Generalists)

Hands up if you've tried to find a “graphic designer” on Upwork or Fiverr, only to be inundated with portfolios full of…well, everything. 🙋‍♂️

While a generalist designer might be able to create a decent logo, they're not the best choice. Logo design is a highly specialised skill that requires a deep understanding of typography, colour theory, and brand strategy.

When searching for a logo designer, look for someone specialising in that discipline. Their portfolio should be filled with nothing but logos and brand identity work. This laser-focused expertise is what will give you the best results.

For example, at Inkbot Design, our team comprises seasoned logo designers. We don't waste our time on other graphic design services – our sole focus is creating killer brand identities for our clients. And it shows in the quality of our work.

4. Check Their Portfolio (And Look for Variety)

Speaking of portfolios, this is where the rubber hits the road. A designer's portfolio is the best way to gauge their skill, creativity, and ability to deliver on your vision.

But don't just look for a portfolio complete with beautiful logos. Pay attention to the variety of styles and industries represented. A good logo designer should be able to adapt their approach to suit different brand personalities and target audiences.

For example, at Inkbot Design, our portfolio showcases logos for everyone, from high-end luxury brands to quirky startups. We have a keen eye for capturing the essence of each client's unique brand identity.

As you're browsing through portfolios, ask yourself:

• Do the logos feel cohesive and on-brand, or is there a mismatch in style?
• Can the designer handle sophisticated, minimalist designs and more playful, illustrated logos?
• Do the logos solve the client's business challenges, or do they all feel generic?

The best logo designers will have a diverse, high-quality portfolio demonstrating their versatility and problem-solving skills.

5. Prioritise Creativity and Conceptual Thinking

Of course, a killer logo isn't just about pretty aesthetics. It needs to be backed by innovative, strategic thinking.

The designer you hire should be able to dive deep into your brand, understand your target audience, and develop concepts that truly resonate. They should be able to explain their design decisions and how the logo ties into your overall brand identity.

At Inkbot Design, we pride ourselves on our conceptual prowess. We don't just churn out generic clipart logos – we take the time to understand our clients' businesses and craft something unique and impactful.

For example, when we designed the logo for a luxury skincare brand, we drew inspiration from the brand's obsession with natural ingredients. The final logo featured a modern, abstract botanical illustration instantly conveying the brand's premium, nature-based positioning.

So don't just look for a designer with a pretty portfolio. Ensure they can back up their designs with intelligent, thoughtful concepts aligning with your business goals.

6. Seek Out Reviews and References

Nowadays, it's easier than ever to research a designer or agency before hiring them. So don't skip this step!

Scour their website and social media, and review sites like Clutch or Trustpilot. What are their past clients saying about their work quality, communication, and project management? This kind of social proof can be precious in helping you make the right hiring decision.

And don't be afraid to ask for references. A great designer should happily provide contact details for a few of their previous clients. Reach out and ask about their experience. Did the designer deliver on time and within budget? Were they responsive and easy to work with? Would the client hire them again?

At Inkbot Design, we're proud to have a long list of satisfied clients who are always eager to sing our praises. We see client testimonials as a critical part of our marketing, not something to be hidden away.

7. Communicate Your Brand Personality

Once you've found a designer you're excited to work with, it's time to dive into the project. One of the most important things you can do is to communicate your brand personality loudly and clearly.

After all, your logo is the visual embodiment of your brand. So, the designer needs to deeply understand who you are, what you stand for, and how you want to be perceived by your target audience.

At the start of a logo project, we always ask our clients to complete a comprehensive brand questionnaire. This covers everything from your brand's mission and values to your ideal customer demographic and tone of voice.

The more details you can provide, the better. Think about adjectives that describe your brand – is it sleek and premium? Fun and approachable? Bold and disruptive? Share examples of brands you admire (or don't admire) and explain why.

The more clearly you can articulate your brand personality, the more likely you will end up with a logo that truly resonates with your audience. Don't be afraid to provide feedback throughout the design process – great designers will welcome your input and use it to refine the final result.

8. Demand Iterative Revisions

Speaking of feedback, consider a designer who only provides one or two initial concepts. A good logo designer should be prepared to go through multiple rounds of revisions until you're 100% satisfied.

At Inkbot Design, our logo design process typically involves 3-5 rounds of revisions. We start with a broad range of initial concepts and then work closely with the client to refine and evolve the designs based on their feedback.

This iterative approach is crucial for a few reasons:

1. It allows the designer to understand your brand and preferences truly. With each round of revisions, they'll get closer and closer to nailing your perfect logo.
2. It allows you to provide feedback and see how the designer responds. Do they listen and adapt or stubbornly stick to their original ideas?
3. It ensures you have a logo you're 100% happy with. There's no such thing as a “perfect” logo on the first try – revisions are necessary to get it just right.

So don't be afraid to be picky and request multiple rounds of revisions. A good designer will welcome the chance to fine-tune their work and deliver a logo that exceeds your expectations.

9. Get It In Vector Format

When you finally land on your dream logo design, ensure you get it in vector format. No matter how much you love the final result, this is a non-negotiable requirement.

Vector graphics are created using mathematical equations rather than pixels. This means they can be scaled up or down to any size without losing quality or resolution. 🔍

In contrast, raster images like JPEGs and PNGs are made up of fixed pixels. If you try to enlarge them, they'll look blurry and pixelated.

Having your logo in vector format is crucial for a few key reasons:

1. Versatility – You can use your logo on everything from business cards to billboards without losing quality.
2. Future-proofing – As your brand grows and evolves, you can quickly adapt and resize your logo as needed.
3. Professional polish – Vector logos look more polished and high-end than their raster counterparts.

At Inkbot Design, we deliver our final logo files in vector format (usually AI or SVG). This ensures our clients have the flexibility and quality to make the most of their brand identity.

10. Don't Just Take My Word For It…

I've shared a lot of advice in this post, but don't just take my word for it. Here's what a few of our happy Inkbot Design clients have to say about working with us:

“The team at Inkbot Design nailed our logo. They took the time to understand our brand and developed concepts that perfectly captured our personality. We couldn't be happier!” – Sarah, Founder.

“I was blown away by the Inkbot Design team's level of service and attention to detail. They guided us through the entire logo design process with patience and expertise. The final result is a logo we're proud to show off.” – Tom, Marketing Manager.

“As a startup, we knew our logo was crucial to making a great first impression. Inkbot Design delivered a modern, memorable logo that has become the foundation of our brand. Their communication was top-notch throughout the project.” – Jess, Co-founder.

So there you have it – 10 actionable tips to help you hire a killer logo designer. Remember, your logo is the face of your brand, so it's worth taking the time to get it right.

And if you're looking for a specialised logo design team that can bring your brand to life, we'd love to chat. 😉 Head over to inbkotdesign.com to learn more about our services and get in touch.

FAQs on Hiring a Logo Designer