Working with our studio
Helping us create a logo you'll love.

Over the years, we've worked with thousands of clients from all over the world. That vast experience, and the accompanying trial and error, has allowed our studio to cobble together a sytem, a more importantly, a design method, that helps ensure your project will end successfully. We've also been able to identify reoccuring snags, as well as the solving of these problems when they may arise. Should you decide to hire us to create your new company logo (as we hope you will), here's a short-list of pointers and suggestions that will help you work with our designers throughout the course of your stay at The Factory. We've even identified some potential trouble areas, that will help you (and us) avoid time-consuming missteps that might get in the way of a successful conclusion. While ultimately the path that your design project takes is depenedent on you being part of the creative process, and while most design projects are off the 'hassle-free' variety, here's some suggestions that will help keep the frustration to a minium.

Micro-edits and Tweaks. Cool, but of limited consequences.
As designers, we are trained in many aspects of design, graphics and technology. By the time you view preliminary designs, we have attempted every variation of that particular design, having moved swooshes, right, left, up and down. Micro-tweaks will not improve the design if it is not to your liking. Best to tell your designer that you’re not happy with the design, and work from fresh proposals. It’s highly unlikely a design that does not have the ah-ha factor can be forced into a design that you love by moving its elements around.

All monitors are not created equally.
While we utilize every technique available to standardize color issues, there are some technical issues that are beyond even our capabilities. Your designer will assist you understanding some color issues that may affect the way you view your logo colors. We'll make sure that there are NO surprises when you print your logo. For best color accuracy we suggest using the Pantone Matching System.

Don't be afraid to ask questions.
We've set up The Logo Factory so that you can communicate with us via many ways. Our staff are among the most knowledgeable logo-designers on the planet, so their wealth of pertinent information is extensive and ALL available to you. They also wish to assist you in obtaining the best design possible (after all - to a large part, it is their creativity and work on display. They want to look good too...)

Logo design can be a frustrating experience.
Sometimes it's fun, but like any creative endeavor it can also be like 'pulling teeth'. "The design is not just 'right'", "It's just not setting me on fire" will sometimes be your reaction to designs presented. That's okay - we can't win them all (thought it would be nice to 'nail' every logo design project out of the gate - it's just not possible). And remember, it a designer is creating revisions after revision in the quest for your perfect logo, they are not meaning to hold your plans up. We're all on the same page. You want a logo that you feel is worthy of representing your company. Our designers want a logo that looks impressive in our portfolio. As a business factor (and in terms of The Logo Factory's 'bottom line'), finishing up your logo in the shortest time is the desired outcome. The additional time that these rounds of revisions take, is being performed in your, and the project's best interests. Be patient. You will get 'there'.

Your designer should work WITH you, not FOR you.
I’m of the belief that this is where most logo design projects go horribly awry. In the early days of my career I was guilty of this more times that I care to admit. And if the posts on many graphic design forums is any indication, a lot of designers, and by extension – clients, are guilty of this no-no. It’s the concept of a designer working WITH a client, as opposed to FOR. Many designers will say the same thing – “this was a GREAT logo, until the client butchered it (combinations of ‘Art Directing the Logo, Purse-Shopping and probably a little Design by Committee thrown in for good measure). It’s probably why there are so many brutally ugly logos out there. Simply put – rather than discussing (debating, arguing?) with the client about the direction of a particular project (that’s WHY the client hired the designer in the first place) the designer sheepishly follows the client’s requests – regardless of how ludicrous those suggestions are. “Put a Globe and Swoosh in there”. No problemo. “Make that text Comic Sans – it’s hip with the teenagers”. Okey, dokey. Big mistake. And a mistake that runs the risk of ruining whatever potential the project had. The designer is NOT just a set of hands for rent. If that were the case, then why should a client spend the time selecting a designer based on the strengths of their portfolio? Better to look for a ‘yes’ man/woman who also happens to know Adobe Illustrator. The designer brings (hopefully) years of experience, talent and a keen sense of ‘what’s what’ (most designers I know are intense culture junkies) to a logo design project. As a designer you need to be able to tell your client that their idea is a no-go. And as a client, you have to understand that a designer is working WITH you (as opposed to FOR you) and not see this as the designer being ‘uppity’ or ‘uncooperative’. At the end of the day - the client and designer have similar goals. A great logo. The client because it will represent their product/company/service for (hopefully) a lifetime. The designer because they’re looking for a showcase piece for their portfolio – an example of terrific design work they can show future clients as PROOF that they can create fantastic logos. As opposed to sheepishly explaining that this “was a great logo until the client wrecked it”, IF they show the logo at all. To the client – you’re paying for the designer’s expertise and experience. Use them. To the designer – the client is probably new to the entire design process. Don’t shortchange them by committing every request to the project, especially IF you KNOW that the request is foolhardy. Take the time to explain why this is not a good idea. Remember, you’re working WITH the client and not just a set of hands attached to a pencil, mouse or keyboard.

Send all your revision requests by e-mail.
A simple piece of advice. While are designers are generally available by phone, and they are more than happy to assist, it's usually advisable to send your logo revision requests via e-mail. Even as a 'follow-up' to a phone call. Notes can be lost, directions can become garbled. Best to write 'em down and leave a 'paper trail'.

Next Page: How long does it take to design a logo?

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