Looking for logo design software

[J@APW]

As above folks I'm new to the forum and looking for trustworthy software for designing a logo.
There seems to be hundreds on the net.
I don't know who/what to choose.....
There seems to be free downloads and some for £30+ i just don't want to get ripped off.
I would consider giving someone (again trustworthy) my ideas to do it for me, but just don't know where to look!
Any help would be great thanks.
Jamie

 

[Alan]

Are you skilled in graphical design? If not a logo making tool won't give you those skills.

 

[J@APW]

Only the basic skills for simple designs.

 

[J@APW]

I would consider someone else to make one who was more experienced than myself.

 

[SourChocolate]

£30 won't give you a good, unique logo.

If you reveal what your budget is, you may get a more relevant suggestion...
How much is a car...?

Personally, i like sites where number of designers send you designs and you pick the one you like. It's not cheap though, you are looking to spend £500-800.

I used 99designs number of times with very good results.

 

[J@APW]

I am only really looking for a lettered logo. Nothing fancy at all just simple but effective.
Its for a body repair shop i have recently opened. So it would be incorporated into a sign above the entrance.

 

[Alan]

most logo maker software will allow you a free trial, just you can't save the output or if you can it is water marked.

e.g. http://www.aaa-logo.com/

You are obviously not in the market for a £500-800 logo -are you?

 

[J@APW]

Thank you for the link.
Unfortunately that kind of budget for a logo is way out of my reach at the moment. Hence me wanting to try out an easy, trustworthy software program myself.
Do you know of anyone on here that could help me out making a lettered logo? I not sure of the rules on here regarding advertising or recommending business/trade within the forum.
Thanks

 

[123Simples]

First of all a logo is your brand identity so it really depends on how much you value your brand or business. £30 would not seem excessive for a logo design, and I think most professional designers look at anywhere between £75 and £99 - again ball park figure. There are logo designers on this forum - but I guess most logo design programs are exactly that - clipart disguised thinly as logo designs

 

[Alan]

If people buy a website from us we will create a simple logo if they require from £25 (because they are buying something else from us). Typically a designer would start at £50. If you go the the UKBF home page you will see a search box for UK Business Forum Directory, try 'logo' or 'graphics design' and send some messages to the respective members and see what quotes you get.

 

[J@APW]

Thanks for the advice and comments. Very much appreciated.

 

[SourChocolate]

most logo maker software will allow you a free trial, just you can't save the output or if you can it is water marked.

e.g. http://www.aaa-logo.com/

You are obviously not in the market for a £500-800 logo -are you?

That's fine

If you look at 99designs site, they have a logo store (link in top left corner) where you can pick the one you like from 20k logos. I *think* the designer will modify your chosen design, ie. Add your company name etc.

They are less than 100 usd and you can select what you like. There are other sites around but I used 99designs in the past and designers there are very helpful and the site is not a "scam".

 

[AlexanderR]

I wouldn't recommend using logo software thats going to cost you for each use. Graphic artists tend to offer a variety of sizes and color schemes to allow you to put your logo anywhere. Also, working with an artist will help you get the logo you want, rather than picking the closest match.

The logo's are created in vector format, which means that they are pixel independent (won't blur when re-sizing) and can then be exported to any other document or software.

If you do know what you want, and it really is as simple as your suggestion, then grab a free vector art program (there are many about). It will lack the functionality of better programs such as Illustrator, but for simple design it's not an issue.

If you do go this route and are clueless, or decide against it, then ring around the local graphic artists, get quotes and look at their portfolio. Once your happy with an artist, get your idea over to them, even if it's scribbled on a notepad, it will help to get the logo you want.

 

[Alan]

Of course you can grab a 30 day free trial of Adobe Illustrator. Which is a 'professional' grade program.

 

[AlexanderR]

Forgot about the free trial. There are also plenty of tutorials to get you going with illustrator too. Definitely worth a punt if you've got an artistic side.

 

[filtee]

I offered to design this guy a logo. I spent 3 nights changing,tweaking,changing,tweaking,changing,tweaking for him then to say he doesnt want to rush it and can we leave it. Friggin tool.

 

[AlexanderR]

It happens, try not to get worked up about it, and move on to the next profit.

You'll be surprised similar things happen in the sponsorship world too.

 

[J@APW]

NOT AT ALL TRUE!!
You approached me with this message

Hiya mate, did you get your logo sorted? I can do you one if not. I charge £25 and you dont have to pay anything until your happy with it. Also you can amend it as many times as you like until your happy.
Let me know, cheers
Phil

Then messages me moaning that am tweakin it too much and changes it too many times.

Is it wrong for me wanting to be 110% sure before i go ahead and print cards, flyers and vinyl with a logo that im rushed into!

Next time don't offer to design someone a logo that you just copy, paste and resize from clip art!!

Thanks for wasting my time and posting a stupid comment!!

 

[InternetMarketingPlatinum]

£25 logo? Wouldn't expect quality for that?

 

[InternetMarketingPlatinum]

I offered to design this guy a logo. I spent 3 nights changing,tweaking,changing,tweaking,changing,tweaking for him then to say he doesnt want to rush it and can we leave it. Friggin tool.

You spent 3 nights for £25? Why quote so cheap? And unlimited revisions? Suppose this is what you get for undercutting everyone?

 

[J@APW]

Wasn't sure what to expect really but was intrigued enough to try it out and was nearly there with something usable. Until he started rushing me, moaning about changing it after saying i could as many times as i like, until i was happy.

 

[filtee]

NOT AT ALL TRUE!!
You approached me with this message



Then messages me moaning that am tweakin it too much and changes it too many times.

Is it wrong for me wanting to be 110% sure before i go ahead and print cards, flyers and vinyl with a logo that im rushed into!

Next time don't offer to design someone a logo that you just copy, paste and resize from clip art!!

Thanks for wasting my time and posting a stupid comment!!

Messaged you moaning? Waisted your time?
I told you i wasnt prepared to spend another night on it. Not for what i was charging anyway. I spent Sun, Mon & Tues night changing things. I designed 2 logos for you, you ended up getting over 20 different designs with all the changes.
And as for the clip art comment.......

 

[filtee]

You spent 3 nights for £25? Why quote so cheap? And unlimited revisions? Suppose this is what you get for undercutting everyone?

I wasnt anticipating it spending 3 nights.

 

[filtee]

Wasn't sure what to expect really but was intrigued enough to try it out and was nearly there with something usable. Until he started rushing me, moaning about changing it after saying i could as many times as i like, until i was happy.

Get your facts right Jamie. I did not once rush you or moan. The last message i sent simply stated that i would not be able to spend much more time on it as it had taken so long already.
I tried to advise you on some of the things you were changing and you went ahead with them anyway....... and then decided they werent right.

 

[J@APW]

The "service" you offered me never stated that there was a time limit.
A logo for someones business is big a representation of what they offer and what they are.
It gets seen and recognised on a daily basis so of course it's going to take a few attempts to make it right.

 

[AlexanderR]

Your right, if I was to design a logo for someone, I'd want a reasonable hourly rate.

If someone was to offer me a logo for £25 I'd be a little inquisitive as to why the price is so cheap.

But, I guess you both need to accept this as a lesson learned and move on. Business is a continual learning curve after all.

 

[J@APW]

Get your facts right Jamie. I did not once rush you or moan. The last message i sent simply stated that i would not be able to spend much more time on it as it had taken so long already.
I tried to advise you on some of the things you were changing and you went ahead with them anyway....... and then decided they werent right.

What do you expect doing it through email?! Not one to one, or in person.
Get a grip and stop wasting your own time let alone mine!

Your right Alexander. It is a lesson learned.
But to be moaned at and rushed to get it done. Then to be called a tool on a public forum is uncalled for and unprofessional! If he is a business man his work ethic and customer relations are useless. No wander he's trying to undercut to get business!

 

[AlexanderR]

Creating a flaming war on a public forum isn't very professional either. Defending yourself or not, it's not the place to go for each others throat.

If however, this is a real dispute, I know a mediator that could help to settle it, if not, leave it be and take your lesson from what has happened.

Also, blaming each other doesn't help, think of the price, £25. Most good designers get paid that for 1 hour, let alone 3 days.

So one party to blame for expecting good service with a quality product, for £25. The other party to blame for expecting to get a happy client within 1 hour of work.

Again, flaming isn't the answer, leave it be.

 

[J@APW]

True. Lesson learned.

 

[Richard Glynn]

Back on subject. Try Inkscape.

http://inkscape.org/

But the observations about doing it yourself unless you have time (it will take time to get used to inkscape the value of which might be better spent on a professional), are skilled or enjoy it are valid.

If you do tinker (but aren't a professional) keep it simple. One font - maximum two - and stick to it. Basic colour schemes.

 

[J@APW]

Much appreciated! Thanks.
Also how easy is it to transfer something drawn up on paper to design software to be adapted and finalised?

 

[Richard Glynn]

Mmm.

Most artwork is designed using vector graphics. Then output as bitmaps.

Your scanned artwork will be a bit map. So essentially you'll need to scan your artwork (high res is good) then convert to vector. This tightens all the lines and gives more clarity to your colours. And makes it easier to make small changes like adding colour and re-sizing.

Then you output to bitmap (jpeg or png file) for printing purposes.

Good news is that Inkscape has a tracing function which will generate a vector drawing from a bitmap. As with all these things though - it's easy when you know how!

You might be better redesigning using a vector graphics program from scratch to be honest.

Richard

 

[J@APW]

Surprisingly enough that makes sense to me. I will most definitely give that a go, follow the link and have a play around.
Very sound advice mate thanks.
Will let you know how i get on.

 

[arsenalfun]

Hey there. I'd like to design you a logo for as low as $30 (which is equal to maybe 20 pounds UK)

I use illustrator and I'm beginner at it but I'm very creative as well. I'd like you to give me a try and if you don't like my style, then it's ok... But in most cases I come up with something outstanding. I draw simple and streamlined logos.
I hope you won't ignore me as I'm just trying to get my chance

Contact: arsenalfun[at] live.com Skype: whoo777

 

[simon field]

Sorry chaps but I've got to say - that was hilarious back there

Glad you've got it sorted though, nice one.

 

[InternetMarketingPlatinum]

I'm considering learning accounting to save myself money with my bookkeeping and year ends. No wait a second, my accountant is an expert in it and I can make more money doing what I am good at in the same amount of time that I'd waste learning accounting and doing it myself plus my accountant would do a better job because of experience and my work would suffer because I'd be taking my eye off the ball. Conclusion - I'll leave my accountant to do their job whilst I do mine. It's one of the most basic of business decisions.

 

[J@APW]

^ ********^ i do my own book keeping and accounts with no trouble at all because i don't let it build up until the last minute. Saving myself time and money.
The point your trying to make there was completely irrelevant.

 

[AlexanderR]

The point he was making is simple: Let the people with knowledge do the things they know. It saves money and time.

Relevant to everybody who needs to save money and time.

His advice was just that however, what you choose to do with said advice, is your own.

 

[J@APW]

No advice was given there at all.
The topic I started was enquiring of a trustworthy design programme. As I have the basic knowledge to use as such. I wanted a "downloadable updated version" if you like.
Then someone approached me with an offer to help. Which in turn was useless. So end of topic! Read the facts!!

 

[filtee]

No advice was given there at all.
The topic I started was enquiring of a trustworthy design programme. As I have the basic knowledge to use as such. I wanted a "downloadable updated version" if you like.
Then someone approached me with an offer to help. Which in turn was useless. So end of topic! Read the facts!!

You made it useless numpty.