Graphic Designers—Know your worth

I can't help but vent my outraged at seeing some people selling logo designs online for as little as £10. The area I find most irritating is when these "logo's" are sold to multiple people; meaning several businesses could end up having the same brand. I find this a massive insult to the design industry and it makes a mockery of the time and thought which goes into branding a company. When setting up your business, branding is one of the most important assets to your company. It sets you aside from your competitors. It informs your customers who you are and what your company is about. It makes you instantly recognisable so customers will identify your work when they see your mark. It's truly terrible that some people consider it to be valued so little and something almost of an afterthought. To brand someone you need to research their company in depth, explore many ideas to see which one will work best, and refine a chosen idea so it is absolutely perfect. This process can take weeks to get right. I believe there is no such thing as a "one brand fits all" idea.

To all "designers" selling these "logo's" for such low prices, get some self respect. You're ridiculing and devaluing the very industry which you work in. You're sending out the message that designers time or ideas aren't worth the paper they're written on. You should be proud of what you do, and prepared to quote a fair price for your work. Further, you're not acting in the best interest of your clients. It's a cheap sale to supply the same logo to multiple clients and will do them little good in the long run. 

To anyone thinking of buying these logos, you're business should be worth so much more to you. Company image is everything and could mean the difference between success or failure. It's a valuable investment to get the brand right; and to get it right from the start. The saying is generally true, "if you buy cheap, you buy twice." If your start-up investment is low then, at the very least, ensure your logo is unique and do not buy one which is distributed to anyone and everyone.

In conclusion, I calm myself by reading the Creative Review article 'Why designers shouldn’t worry about Squarespace Logo'. My favourite quote being, "McDonald’s can comfortably exist alongside Michelin starred restaurant The Fat Duck. They both offer a culinary solution, but they’re not in competition with each other".