How long does it take to design a logo?
As easy to answer as 'how long does it take to paint a fence'?

"How long does it take to design a logo?" is usually the second question I get asked (right after "how much does it cost?"). It's one of the hardest questions to answer too - there are so many variables and differing steps to each design project, that it's practically impossible to answer. The digital version of "how long to paint a fence"? I've seen projects that wrap in a few days. I've seen projects that have hung around the studio for months, stumbling from one revision to another. And every possible scenario in between. It does, however, amaze me when clients want to 'speed' up the process. Not a bad goal really, but it also involves rushing an inherently creative process thats successful conclusion is based on effort, which is also measured, in part, by the amount of time spent. If I had a library of clip art and rejected designs to pull from, we could accurately predict the time any logo design project will take. Alas, logo design is not assembling widgets or throwing a few hamburgers on the grill so other than a few predictable timeframes (file setup for example) almost every project is unique and requires varying amounts of time to complete. In terms of working with The Logo Factory, we've set up what we believe are realistic time benchmarks.

Working with our studio. How long does it take.
As our logo design process ultimately ends when you say it does, and depends on the number and complexity of revisions that you request, we can't guarantee the completion date of your finalized logo other than approximate time frames. We can, however, guarantee the delivery timeframes of preliminary concepts (depending on the logo design package you select) and a fairly accurate delivery schedule on revisions and modification requests. If you have critical delivery timeframes, or require your final logo for a special event, please contact our client support with concerns. Depending on studio and designer availability, we're generally able to work with you on date sensitive project (subject to the package you select).

Faster is not better.
Many logo design firms, especially on the internet, advertise that they can wrap up your project faster than anyone else. If we wanted to tackle your logo design as a 'competitive sport' we could speed it up. We could accomplish this by spending less concept and design time on your project. Or, we could farm out your project to freelance designers. It's just that with all aspects of design - faster is not necessarily better (in fact, it usually isn't). Our premium packages do feature faster turnaround times, but in order to spend the adequate amount of concept and design time, we have to juggle schedules and allocate studio time right away. If we were to try and shorten our delivery time, like our competitors, we'd be trying to rush the creative process (a bad idea) or, recycling previously rejected designs created for previous clients (much worse idea), or utilizing a network of freelancers who'll 'compete' for your project (worst idea of all). When a company you utilize uses anonymous freelancers, you are NOT assured of even the most basic copyright protection (if the service you're using and the designer have a falling out, your logos and any design work may become the collateral damage of their squabble). During an internet squabble last year, it was revealed that one of the largest logo design companies has passed off other people's logos (including the Xerox 'X' trademark) as their own. Their reason? Because they are 'so big' and move through client's projects 'so fast'. They claimed that they "didn't know" they were selling other people's property as theirs. Not sure the clients who had purchased these icons would be understanding.

Next Page: Getting started, step-by-step

Deciding if you need a logo
What makes a great logo
How do I design a logo
Do it yourself logo design
Clip art logos
Free logos
Logo Templates
Logo design contests
Online logo design
Selecting a designer
What's a logo worth?
Cheap logo design
Unlimited revisions
Working with our studio
How long does it take?
Getting started step-by-step
Logo design pointers
Logo design guidelines
Logo aspect ratios
Logo footprints
Common logo design mistakes
Logo design types
Illustration based logos
Text only logos
Icon driven logos
Cartoon logo design
Colors & your logo
RGB colors
Spot colors
CMYK colors
Pantone Matching System
Black & white logos
File formats
EPS file formats
JPG file formats
PNG file formats
GIF file formats
Your logo in a .PDF
Logo copyright
Poor man's copyright
Logo trademark
Stationery design basics
Business card design tips
Letterhead design tips
Envelope design tips
Design assets
Managing design assets
Having your logo printed
Print resolution
Gang run printing
Web friendly logos
Logo embroidery
Logos & signs
Uses for your new logo
Updating your logo
Logo repair or design