The Logo Process

I knew when I renamed my business I was going to need to work with a graphic designer to come up with my logo.  I had used more of a generalist when I had my last logo developed but now there are a number of graphic designers that specialize in logo development for photographers.  I thought this would be a better approach because they already understood our audience!

I met Jen Thompson at Learnfest after having read about her in Design Algow magazine-Issue 5.  I really liked her clean modern style and her use of color.  Her studio is to die for.  And at Learnfest she had some great "Communication Marsupials" which were beautifully put together client communication packets.   So when it was time to have my new logo developed I went to her first.

Jen's process is simple yet thorough.   She sent me a multiple page survey to ask me everything from what kinds of fonts and colors I liked, to details about my target market.   I even sent her my mock-up of a logo idea I had.  We emailed back and forth, and even had chats via instant messaging.  Once she felt like she had enough information she was able to create the first round of designs.  Her process is to present you with three initial concepts, and up to two rounds of revisions to a selected design for a design fee of $500.

Here was the progression from my mock-up, to Jen's designs, to the final design.

It was with great anticipation that I opened the PDF file that contained my first round of designs.  I was excited and nervous.  I LOVED the designs.  They were all so different and yet they all "fit".  There was one though that really stood out.  I could picture it on my bags, on my website, on my business cards.  I surveyed a few close friends and they thought the same thing. 

I was able to choose the design I wanted and so it was time for revisions.  Not that it wouldn't have been perfect as it was, but there were just a few tweaks.  The original font was a little more futuristic than I wanted (Jen is probably cringing at my categorizations) so I asked for something more handwritten.  And the trunks on the trees were really long and while it looked great I was worried that it would cause problems later on down the line with how I USED the logo.  So those where the only changes I wanted.  I loved the polka dotted trees and the colors she used.  She totally nailed it.  And once I approved the design she sent me the illustrator file, a PSD, and a high res JPG of the logo so I was able to just hit the ground running with it.

If you are looking for a new look or are completely rebranding...check out Jen Thompson's website for more information on her design services and for some eye candy.  She was able to send me some beautiful samples of her Communication Marsupials to give you an idea of what she has created.

If you follow Jen on Twitter, or on Facebook, you'll notice that she has been doing a great deal of travel lately helping other photographers by providing some in-studio design consultation.    With tweets like "more paint. Need lots more paint" and "assembling endless amounts furniture & waiting to do coat #2 on the punch wall" I'm dying to see some before and after photos of some of these projects. 

And be sure to check back on her website later...it is in the process of a redesign and I'm sure the new site will be fantastic.

Comments

[Joanna Wilcox]

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=16422089 This made me think of you :)

I'm digging the new name and logo!

[Jessica]

OMG! I love it!!!!

[Christi Traster]

LOOOOOOOOOOOVE the new logo! That was the one my eye went to - TOP PICK right away!!!!! WOOOO HOOOOO! Happy for you! :)