How To Outsource Logo Design

If you have never outsourced anything before, let alone a big commitment such as a logo, you might feel intimidated. What if you get scammed or won’t like the result yet still have to pay? It’s a scary thought.

But by having a clear overview of how to outsource logo design first, we guarantee you will get an amazing logo that will multiply your sales thanks to successful branding.

An excellent logo is a must and a pricey investment, but here’s the safest and cheapest way to get one. Read on.

Definition of Outsourcing Logo Design

Outsourcing logo design refers to hiring a third-party graphic design service or individual to create a logo rather than completing the work in-house. This is a cost-effective and time-efficient approach for businesses and organizations seeking professional logo design.

When outsourcing logo design, the client provides the graphic designer with information about their business, branding, and design preferences. The designer creates a range of design concepts for the client to choose from. After revising, the client provides feedback and makes revisions until they are satisfied with the final design.

Outsourcing logo design is beneficial for businesses with limited design resources or in-house expertise, as it allows them to access the skills and experience of professional designers. It is also convenient for businesses with tight deadlines or budgets because it allows them to outsource specific design tasks rather than hiring a full-time in-house designer.

Benefits of outsourcing logo design

Outsourcing logo design is a growing trend among business owners of any size as they seek to find innovative ways to create a consistent corporate brand. Thus, it’s not surprising that the outsourcing industry is projected to reach $19.5 billion by 2025, with logo and branding designs making up $3 billion of the total market.

There are several advantages to outsourcing logo design as a business owner. Working with professional logo design services saves time and money while overseeing the entire process. Here are some benefits to keep in mind:

1. Cost Savings

Rather than relying on an in-house design team, outsourcing saves you on overhead expenses, like office spaces and software, and employee wages. Additionally, outsourcing services tend to charge much less than companies would pay for an in-house logo design, making it one of the most cost-effective options for businesses. By outsourcing, your businesses will get a creative, unique, and effective logo design, all for an affordable price.

Estimated costs of logo design:

• In-house team: $72,000 per year per team member (you can’t hire an in-house designer for one project only).
• Crowdsourcing: $250–$1,300 per logo design contest.
• Freelancers: $80–$3,000 per logo ($80–$150/hour at Toptal). Actual cost depends on the number of revisions and the freelancer’s hourly rate.
• Unlimited design services: $350–$2,500 per month. Best when you have ongoing design needs.

2. Consistent Corporate Image

Working with an experienced provider, your business will enjoy unified design elements, such as fonts, color schemes, and logos, consistent with your company’s key messages and tone of voice. As a result, you can generate a recognizable and professional brand, allowing you to make a long-lasting impression on your target audience (you want them to remember you and come back). Having a unified corporate image helps to enhance customer trust and loyalty in your business by displaying trustworthiness and reliability.

How to achieve it:

• Consistent wording, values, and standpoints (for example, you stand for green energy).
• Consistent use of fonts, colors, and images.

3. Access to Experienced and Proficient Designers

By tapping into the services of an outsourcing design agency, your company will access experienced designers with a skill-set far exceeding that which you would find in-house (or would be hard to find). These designers have years of experience and bring far higher quality, offering more creative approaches and a better understanding of your company’s overarching design goals. Furthermore, these designers are experienced in using different design tools, like Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, allowing them to create stunning graphics for digital and print media that meet all the company’s needs.

4. Outside Perspective

You can use an outside viewpoint to break away from traditional thinking and generate innovative concepts that are still grounded in your company’s fundamental values. An external collaborator can bring their skills and experiences, allowing you to gain invaluable insight and stay ahead of the game.

5. Increased Marketing Effectiveness

A fresh and creative perspective ensures that your branding is consistent and memorable. Such a powerful and recognizable logo will amplify your marketing reach and thus increase your product or service’s impact and sales.

For example, 60% of consumers said they avoid a brand with good reviews if a logo was unattractive. A logo can also help you rebrand, which usually impacts your business.

6. Faster Turnaround Times

In today’s competitive business environment, where meeting tight deadlines is a must, fast turnaround times are crucial. Working with external design teams specializing in logo design can speed up the delivery process, saving precious time you can use better by focusing on other business-related tasks.

7. Access to a Larger Pool of Talent

Outsourcing your business taps into a much broader base of talent than if you were limited to your local area. Thanks to globalization, you can hire an unprecedented number of skilled professionals, offering you the best chance to find someone you will love.

Risks of outsourcing logo design

While outsourcing logo design can have benefits, it’s important to be aware of potential risks. Here are a few to consider:

Communication and control issues

When entrusting a third party with creating a visual representation of your company, there is a risk of not getting the desired result or experiencing delays and misunderstandings due to poor communication. To mitigate these risks, establish clear communication channels and guidelines with the designer, including specific goals and expectations for the project, deadlines, milestones, and a process for providing feedback and making revisions. By proactively managing the project, you can maintain control over the outcome and ensure that it meets your standards. Use secure, reliable, and efficient communication channels, such as remote collaboration tools and dedicated email addresses or phone numbers, to avoid communication issues.

Hidden costs and technological issues

Be aware of potential hidden costs when outsourcing logo design projects related to extra revisions, color changes, and file formats. Discuss all potential costs before signing the contract to avoid unexpected costs later. Choosing a vendor without the necessary technological know-how and experience can result in higher costs and a subpar final product. Look for a vendor with the right software tools and experienced technicians to provide reliable technical support and keep the project on track.

Cultural differences and difficulty integrating internal and external teams

Understanding and respecting cultural differences between your in-house team and the third-party vendor is important to avoid miscommunication and misinterpretation that could jeopardize the project outcome. Consider cultural training for employees to reduce the risk of misunderstandings and operational inefficiencies. Working with an external team can be challenging, especially when integrating processes and systems. To overcome this, establish clear roles and responsibilities, and set clear expectations. You can also use project management tools to keep everyone on track and ensure smooth communication.

Inexperienced designers or agencies and poor-quality software and services

Outsourcing your logo design to an inexperienced designer or agency can often result in a subpar end product. Thus, research before committing to a service provider by checking their qualifications and experience. See whether they match the specific requirements of your company. Be aware that inexperienced designers or agencies may be cheaper, but the result could cost you more in the long run. Companies need to be cautious when relying on third-party vendors, as they could be let down by poor-quality software and services. To prevent this, they must verify that they have the necessary tools and resources and that the service provider can meet your requirements. Taking the time to evaluate vendors thoroughly is key to ensuring a successful relationship with a dependable provider. Otherwise, businesses may find themselves dealing with inferior products and services that cause significant disruption to their processes and operations.

Best places to outsource logo design

Outsourcing your logo design project can be intimidating, particularly if you’re unfamiliar with the process and can’t decide where to find the right designer for you. Fortunately, a wide range of options is available when it comes to outsourcing logo design. This guide will provide a step-by-step overview of some of the best places to find talented logo designers that can create a professional logo that reflects your business and saves you time and money.

• Online marketplaces: These platforms allow you to choose a logo designer from a large pool of professionals. Some well-known options include Toptal and 99designs. You can specify your design requirements and budget and then receive logo design proposals from designers who match your criteria. Throughout the design process, you’ll have the opportunity to provide feedback to ensure you get the logo you envision.
• Graphic design agencies: These agencies often have a portfolio of professional logo designs and the resources to manage larger projects with tight deadlines. However, they generally come at a higher cost. When selecting an agency, ensure they have experience and expertise in logo design, and familiarize yourself with their team of designers and their portfolio.
• Freelance designers: Freelancers can offer a more affordable alternative to graphic design agencies and are typically cheaper than online marketplaces. You can find freelancers on platforms such as Upwork and LinkedIn, although it may take more effort to find the right designer for you. When working with freelancers, check their portfolios and establish a good working relationship with them.

Tips for finding the right logo design company

When it comes to finding the right design company for outsourcing your logo design, there are certain tips and measures that you should take to ensure you find the best fit for your project. Here are some tips to help you with your search.

1. Review their portfolio and references: Check out a design company’s work before committing. Get a sense of their expertise and experience in creating logos tailored to specific requirements by reviewing their portfolio and reading customer reviews. Additionally, check out any references the company has provided
2. Look for a wide range of services: You should select a design company that offers a wide variety of design services, including branding, logo design, website design, social media marketing, and search engine optimization. Besides, consider any complementary services or other expertise, such as content creation and digital marketing.
3. Communicate your concerns: Clearly state your expectations for logo design and discuss any alternative ideas or concerns you may have. This will ensure the design team understands your goals and desired outcomes. You should specify timeframes and payment conditions to ensure smooth project progress.
4. Find out the designer’s requirements: Inquire about the design company’s process, timeline, budget, and any other unique requirements needed to meet your desired outcome. Provide information about your brand, target audience, and industry to the designer.
5. Ensure they have a range of specialists: Choosing a design company that has access to experienced and knowledgeable specialists across various disciplines, including information architects, quality assurance engineers, SEO, digital marketers, content developers, and project managers, is key.
6. Research and inquire: Research each design company and make inquiries once you’ve narrowed your list. Make sure the team has the experience and capability to meet your design needs by reviewing their portfolio, reading reviews online, and confirming their availability. Consider their pricing and availability, and don’t hesitate to ask any questions you have.

What Kind of Logo Do You Want?

Although the designer will do all the hard work for you, we recommend you have a good idea of what kind of logo you want. That’s a must since you’ll have to provide revisions and be the authority who says whether the logo is ready to be published or needs more work.

But before you get to that point, you will have to provide basic requirements for your logo in brief, whether it’s an agency or a freelancer.

What makes a good logo?

A logo is often the first thing a customer sees when interacting with a brand, so it’s important to make sure it represents the business or organization. These are the five key qualities of a top-tier logo:

• Simple: a logo that is easy to recognize and not complicated
• Memorable: a logo that is memorable and stands out
• Timeless: a logo that will endure the ages and not become outdated
• Versatile: a logo that can work across a variety of mediums and applications
• Appropriate: a logo that is appropriate for the business or brand it represents

What to tell the designer?

Even if you don’t have a clear vision of what your logo could be, you must provide a detailed description of your requirements. When submitting your draft, tell the designer the following:

• A clear and concise overview of the business or organization, including its mission, values, and target audience.
• A description of the desired aesthetic and feel of the logo, including any specific colors, fonts, or design elements that should be included or avoided.
• Any specific requirements or constraints, such as the need for the logo to be adaptable to different sizes or formats.
• A timeline for the design process and any deadlines must be met.
• The budget for the project and any specific payment terms.
• Examples of logos the client likes or dislikes to give the designer a sense of their design preferences.
• Contact information for the client and any other relevant stakeholders involved in the design process.

Logo design outsourcing FAQSs