Several months ago a respected colleague of mine posted about Fiverr, asking what folks thought of it. If you ever want to grab an artists attention really quick, mention the word “Fiverr” to them . . . and then be prepared to duck. For those not in the know, Fiverr is a company that proclaims they are the largest market place for creative and professional services… all for just $5.

Am I concerned, being a designer myself and talking to the masses about this company, I might lose valuable clients to the temptation carrot of a “come get yer $5 logo here” wham bang boom!?

Short answer - NO.

Check out comments on their Facebook. There are multiple posts where people complain that they aren’t getting their logos, or the site is down, and other various bits of unhappiness. As I’m sure that there have been some good results as well, the old adage “You get what you pay for” could ring true here.

What cooks our proverbial gooses. . .er. . . geese. . . though, as designers, musicians, writers and all of those who create for a living, is that companies like this help fuel the imaginations of those who don’t know or understand that what we do as PROFESSIONAL CREATIVES is cheap, fast and easy. That is very far from the truth.

Ask yourself . . . Why would you want the “thing” that represents you and your company/product be something that someone Who-knows-were-istan threw together in 10 mins? Maybe the design is not that important to you now, but think about down the road.  Five years from now, could you live with it? Would you want to put the cost and time into it only to have to later rebrand (think about your stationary/business cards, your staff apparel, your signage, etc. - all of that will have to change!)? Does this person really ever know your business or market? These are only some of things to consider when you are seeking assistance in developing a new brand for your company, or even a client's company or product line.

Good work takes proper thought, planning, and development time. If you want something pooped out quickly without the work behind it, that is essentially what you will get. . . poop. When you are considering who you will choose to develop a logo/brand for your company, finding a bargain is the last thing that should be on your mind.

I’ve forever preached the value of good design, so when I came across this video (see below), I thought BINGO! This video from Lynda.com on designer Aaron Draplin, owner of Draplin Design Co. in Portland, clearly illustrates and gives a clear insight to those who might not understand the work it takes to create a logo.

When logos are developed, questions should be asked about who the client is and what’s important to him. Research should be done on what the client does and who his market is — all of this is extremely important before pencil is put to paper. Research is the keyword here. We, as commercial designers, often joke about how we have to tendency to become knowledge sponges, and thus are able to regurgitate a ton of random “fun” facts on our clients if prompted.  We spend a great deal of time learning all about what our clients do, so when we produce work for them it’s a total fit (I can personally tell you how to best replace an old toilet, get the most board cuts from a standard log, and how to make hummus). Yes, at least one designer should be on the invite list at any party.

Designers think about colors, how the logo will be used and reproduced, how will it look in black and white , and like Aaron talked about in this video,  how it will look on a semi speeding down the road going 60, or on something as small as a name badge. He also shows how the logo will look in large format and small, and what it might appear on.

Without the forethought, research, and consideration of use and longevity, you are gambling with the future success of your product or business. You wouldn’t just house your business anywhere without considering the location, the taxes, the neighborhood, your potential competition, and accessibility.

Yes, this time and quality does come with a price. Just like the folks who paint your house or unclog your drains, this is our profession. . . our craft. The more experienced or talented the professional you choose to work with will also dictate the the cost, though many designers I know are willing to work with their clients with regard to pricing and payments.  Just keep in mind "Good design ain't cheap - cheap design ain’t good." Isn’t your business, or your valued client’s business, worth it?

Aaron Draplin Takes On a Logo Design Challenge from lynda.com on Vimeo.