OT: Business Logo help

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I may or may not have attempted a thread jack of the 'site redesign' post and thanks to some coaxing from 1VaBlue1 I figured I'd actually make the first post I made since I was about 5th to post a CC: Jon Gruden thread years ago and was shamed into not making a thread again. Anyways, I just recently launched a small catering / mobile food vending business, "GrenadeBurger". I have a great idea for the logo but me putting it on paper makes me look About as foolish as me trying to make this layout not be like this. I'm wondering if anyone here has any advice or reviews of any sites or people they've used that could help.
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TrueBlue2003

August 4th, 2017 at 3:00 PM ^

the positive reviews about Fiverr.  Maybe I'll give them a shot for future needs.

I used elance and guru for some light design work a few years ago and had a horrible experience.  The problem with those marketplaces, was that massive numbers of designers bid super low to get the work (so low they resent having to do the work it seems), you try to pick someone based on ratings and portfolio that isn't necessarily the cheapest, but it's very hard to pick the right ones.

Maybe Fiverr has figured out a system to improve on the processes those sites were using a bit ago.

One bit of advice to the OP: make sure you own the logo!  Have the freelancer sign an assignment of work product.

Joined: 01/05/2010

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1 percent

August 4th, 2017 at 1:41 PM ^

We serve our first event in 2 weeks, which will be a monthly customer. Up to that point we've launched, I've networked, gotten into local (Cincinnati Dayton)events for fall. The pace will start picking up this fall, and the rest of the summer is getting our feet wet, getting a customer base and fixing any holes we find.

Joined: 09/09/2010

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1 percent

August 4th, 2017 at 12:42 PM ^

I've looked at them and almost started a contest but wanted to gauge reviews first. So I'm military and have an affinity for WW2 artwork. Im thinking a strong gripped fist clenching a grenade, down to the mid forearm. Replace the grenade for a burger but still have the grenade pin on the side of the burger. Stylistically , like you would see any WW2 war bonds/propaganda poster, that font style for the name, that painting style for the art

Joined: 09/09/2010

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True Blue Grit

August 4th, 2017 at 3:40 PM ^

it worked well.  I wouldn't use Fiverr for a logo.  It's too important for a new business.  It's hit or miss whether you get a decent product for a logo on Fiverr.  Pay a little extra money with 99designs and you can get a good quality logo.  

Joined: 01/21/2011

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m9tt

August 4th, 2017 at 3:08 PM ^

As a graphic designer speaking from experience, please don't use 99designs or Fiverr. 99designs is a cutthroat deathmatch for logo designers (you wouldn't ask 80 plumbers to fix your toilet and only pay the one who did it best... that kills an entire industry) and you get the quality you pay for at Fiverr (if the price looks too good to be true, it is). And that doesn't even include the incredible amount of stolen or ripped work passed off by "designers" on either site looking to make a quick buck (neither site regulates this well).

If you're doing something for your business, better to pay a little extra and do it right from the start than to get hit with an infringement lawsuit later on.

I'd suggest working with a freelance artist or a graphic design student, especially if you're on a limited budget. 

Joined: 06/16/2015

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Esterhaus

August 4th, 2017 at 1:47 PM ^

Do yourself a favor. Have the art shop sign a written agreement acknowledging you own the logo exclusively and obligating the shop to sign a written assignment document once the design has been finalized. Then record the signed document. Company logos are not subject to work-for-hire protection under copyright law. If you fail to proceed as suggested, the art shop will own the logo, despite what their representations may say, and you will only hold a license to the design. Spare yourself disappointment. Either self-educate and put together the documents yourself from a small business kit else, if finances permit or you have a legal beagle for a friend, use a lawyer to prepare them. 0.02

Joined: 03/16/2015

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August 4th, 2017 at 2:44 PM ^

This is a great post. Thank you. So if I were to use a designer or website for my logo make them sign an acknowledgement that I own the logo, not them? Making sure I'm crystal clear. Thanks again.

Joined: 09/09/2010

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Blumami

August 4th, 2017 at 3:01 PM ^

On the subject of logos, I've had an idea about the Jumpman logos that has been rattling around in my head for a while. The biggest objection to the Jumpman UM gear that I have heard is that is shows a basketball player on a football uniform. It has been suggested that some good football icons would be Woodson's interception or Desmond's catch. What if you extended this line of thinking to iconic 'jumping' athletic plays in other sports? The header or scissor kick in soccer; reaching over the fence to save a home run in baseball; pole vault or high jump for Track and Field; the spike in volleyball. Under this convention, the concept of a jumping athlete is not lost. Not only is the Jumpman inspiration retained, but the various logos would signal the sport for which the gear is intended.

Joined: 07/09/2016

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Cleveland Wolverine

August 4th, 2017 at 3:22 PM ^

Graphics folks are great at what they do but go for graphics, not usefulness. Think about how you are going to use the graphics, not just how cool they look. You will usually need 2 or maybe 3 designs that communicate the same thought. Advertising lends itself to rectangular images, business cards work well with a round logo"stamp", etc. How about tee-shirts? A simple 1-color representation makes them a cheaper proposition than 4-color process. And I personally suggest you avoid too much fine-line detail, which makes it harder to view in smaller formats. So in summary, make sure your marketing plan drives your logo creation (not vice-versa).

Joined: 11/11/2011

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ghostofhoke

August 4th, 2017 at 4:21 PM ^

I've used 99designs.com a bunch of times and it's been great. Super affordable and you can work with the designers after the project is over for additional items

Joined: 11/21/2014

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GoBlueDenver

August 4th, 2017 at 5:21 PM ^

Depends on your budget and how much you care about the professionalism of your logo.

If you can afford next-to-nothing, check out Fiverr. You'll probably find that the designer isn't easy to work with. 

If you can afford a little more ($100-$500), approach a design school in your area - they usually have someone who's hooking up students with work like this, and it's usually decent.

If you want an identity-design system from an award-winning designer, you're talking thousands - depending on if you go with a shop or an independent. I'd recommend checking out dribbble.com - click on one you like, contact the designer, and you can probably get something really bad ass, really finished, and really long-lasting. 

Re: your question about giving them a sketch, that's a great place to start. Don't be shy about that - if they're professional, that'll be fine. 

My advice - don't skimp on the first thing your potential customers are going to see every single day. You get what you pay for. The subtleties count. 

Joined: 09/26/2009

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