portfolio & design blog of logo & identity designer, Graham Smith
I’ll start with my conclusion.
Simply, it’s not so easy for people to summarize what it truly is to be a professional logo designer, or any designer for that matter. There is a danger of over simplifying it or coming up with a version that just does not fit in with what others perceive a professional to be.
I was so intrigued about the definition of ‘professional’. Wikipedia define it thus:
A professional is a person in a profession that requires certain types of skilled work requiring formal training or education. In western nations, such as the United States, the term commonly describes highly educated, mostly salaried workers, who enjoy considerable work autonomy, economic security, a comfortable salary, and are commonly engaged in creative and intellectually challenging work
So it seemed a great thing to ask the Twitter community. Through my travels I found much disparity between meanings and explanations of what makes a designer a professional designer. A lot of people people can agree on certain points, but then add their own unique thoughts into the mix, some of which can contradict other peoples ideas.
It’s clear that the meaning of ‘professional’ can have both the same general meaning, yet at the same time, vastly different meanings, depending on who you talk to. I think it can be a very personal label, specific to each person in the field they are in, or just with the clients of a geographic area. Who you are competing against will also possibly determine which ranking of professionalism you fall into.
Are there then levels or grades of professionalism? That on there own are 100% genuine yet when you put them all in the same room, skill sets, experience, yearly earnings, the meaning will blur and vary?
Does this then mean that Designer A who works from home with a dozen clients and just manages to pay the bills on his less than modest 2 bedroom apartment is any less professional than Designer B employed Creative Director at a leading city agency with company car 4 bedroomed detached house in a rural secluded setting?
In any case, here are the replies I received after posing this question:
Info for new post. Links & Credits will be given. How do you Summarise what makes a Logo Designer a Professional Logo Designer in140 char?
jamingaroutte Simply? The difference is that at some point they start getting paid to do it.
LogoMotives A logo designer becomes a professional logo designer when they understand the value of their work and charge accordingly :o)
As a side note to his first reply: I think it makes a huge difference for any designer to truly understand the value of their time/work.
emilwisch Has the patience, will and toolbox to showcase their talent, facilitate the design process and guide the client.
JessicaGottlieb “I finally got paid”
aaroni268 I would say that the ability to convey the business/entities purpose and vision and or draw interest from those viewing it
vipvirtualsols I have x years experience in designing logos, graphics blah blah turning professional in Nov. 2008 ;)
DamienBasile Amateur > Pro, one word: Network.
kmullett Wouldn’t being paid for ones logo work technically make you a professional? Note I didn’t say an expert, nor good, et al.
bluewavemedia Prof Logo Designer understands and listens, knows and responds, is bold and meaningful, and right!
traceygr Prof Logo Designer researches client & their rivals, produces simple original concepts & can state why the final design is best branding fit
CommentLuv more than one style of logo. not just cartoon style or pastel backed generics. maybe an own version of an existing to show?
GodFodder A logo designers measure is in their ability to visually translate a connection between a business and it’s clientele.
cre8tn 
creative perseverance is what it takes when taking on someones identity through logo design.
ChadEngle 1.is an innovator in the industry 2.makes creative logo’s for brands to use to sell their goods and services 3. receives currency for work.
CreativeNotice The ability to see both the art, the client and the market on one’s canvas is the defining ability present in professionals
ahmednaguib let your clients fill a survey about the quality of ur work and put it in ur portfolio
Megalongcat I believe that professional logo designers create designs with meaning and purpose instead of just creating something that follows trends.
Arbenting I can sum it up in 8 characters – research
pixelbeat Somebody who can see from the client side and imagine from the user side, and is able to create a visual bridge that communicate with both.
And to finish, Sarah Hudson sent me a nicely timed message…
HuddyDesign so what did you decide? what IS the difference between a logo designer and a professional logo designer?
Not really a conclusion
From what I have read from the replies, being a professional has little to do with status, social grouping, geographic or demographic stats, what car you drive, the cult following someone may have, celebrity labeling but then it does.
Personally, it has more to do with self confidence in your own abilities and to give yourself the respect you deserve and to pass on those vibes to everyone you meet socially or professionally. You might be a professional if you look at certain individual points, but when looked at as a whole, you may be letting yourself down in a big way.
So then it has a lot to do with perception and appearance? The more confident you are the higher you can carry yourself the more likely you are to be deemed a professional? The flip side if of course the hustler, the faker, the fraudster who can charm anyone and everyone into believing whatever they want them to believe. But I like to think these ‘fake professionals’ are found and weeded out by the ‘real’ professionals.
But it’s a huge topic for discussion so there were the replies from the Twitterati that responded to my 3 separate shout out’s. Thank you all for replying and giving us all such a varied insight into what you feel it is to be a ‘professional’.
And to nicely round things off
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Tagged: graphic designer, logo designer, professional, professional logo designer, twitter < Previous: The 125px by 125px Block Banner Link Challenge – Part 1
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I believe it comes down to profit. But profit for the client, not the designer.
If the designer can effectively communicate the client’s vision and benefit in a visual manner that creates profit for the client – whether it’s actual money, positive PR, or perhaps even bring their business up to a higher level of competition – then I would regard the designer as a professional.
There are many very talented and “professional” designers in the world who, just so happens, haven’t been paid for their work.
I believe it comes down to profit. But profit for the client, not the designer.
If the designer can effectively communicate the client’s vision and benefit in a visual manner that creates profit for the client – whether it’s actual money, positive PR, or perhaps even bring their business up to a higher level of competition – then I would regard the designer as a professional.
There are many very talented and “professional” designers in the world who, just so happens, haven’t been paid for their work.
I think the key difference is in consulting. In my mind, a logo designer might create some pretty logos that are hip and trendy, but a pro logo designer takes the time to learn a client’s business, needs, and vision before putting pencil to paper.
I think the key difference is in consulting. In my mind, a logo designer might create some pretty logos that are hip and trendy, but a pro logo designer takes the time to learn a client’s business, needs, and vision before putting pencil to paper.
KRISTOF> Very valid point. But I get the feeling that ‘allowing’ oneself to continually not get paid for a job somehow invalidates your professionalism. That you are not committing yourself one’s own financial survival in an environment that is hugely competitive. And if you have dependents then this takes on an even bigger picture.
But totally see where you are coming from, like I mention, I don’t think there really is a one size fits all. It’s all relative somehow, if thats at all possible.
KRISTOF> Very valid point. But I get the feeling that ‘allowing’ oneself to continually not get paid for a job somehow invalidates your professionalism. That you are not committing yourself one’s own financial survival in an environment that is hugely competitive. And if you have dependents then this takes on an even bigger picture.
But totally see where you are coming from, like I mention, I don’t think there really is a one size fits all. It’s all relative somehow, if thats at all possible.
SPARKEY> But what happens when the environment is such that the designer does not have access, for whatever reason, to the recources to research?
SPARKEY> But what happens when the environment is such that the designer does not have access, for whatever reason, to the recources to research?
Assuming that you’re not working on spec (evil, evil, evil), the resource is the client themselves.
It takes a lot of discussion with my clients to get the best result. They are always part of the equation. In fact, if they refuse to take part, I don’t work with them.
The pro designer insists on having conceptual discussion before designing. I use a creative brief that makes it very simple. Not all clients are artistically inclined, but they should know what their business is all about and how they want to be perceived.
Sparky Firepants´s last blog post..Get More Gigs Through Solid Communication
Assuming that you’re not working on spec (evil, evil, evil), the resource is the client themselves.
It takes a lot of discussion with my clients to get the best result. They are always part of the equation. In fact, if they refuse to take part, I don’t work with them.
The pro designer insists on having conceptual discussion before designing. I use a creative brief that makes it very simple. Not all clients are artistically inclined, but they should know what their business is all about and how they want to be perceived.
Sparky Firepants´s last blog post..Get More Gigs Through Solid Communication
great format for a post, it must have took some effort to get all the tweets up as html. interesting results too, there’s a whole range of different reasons but I think what you say is right, confidence and how you come across will help you decide
Andy Bailey´s last blog post..Mashable voting opened and CommentLuv is a nominee!
great format for a post, it must have took some effort to get all the tweets up as html. interesting results too, there’s a whole range of different reasons but I think what you say is right, confidence and how you come across will help you decide
Andy Bailey´s last blog post..Mashable voting opened and CommentLuv is a nominee!
Great question! To me it’s process and research without personal ego. Desire to manifest the best for the client, not for yourself, based on solid research and a clear process to get there, with the client.
Great question! To me it’s process and research without personal ego. Desire to manifest the best for the client, not for yourself, based on solid research and a clear process to get there, with the client.
Great question Graham. The challenge is to provide a definitive answer in 140 characters. The reality is that a combination of many of the valid responses go into defining “professional” and clarifying “professional logo designer.” Thanks for initiating the discussion.
Great question Graham. The challenge is to provide a definitive answer in 140 characters. The reality is that a combination of many of the valid responses go into defining “professional” and clarifying “professional logo designer.” Thanks for initiating the discussion.
This is a great topic that has many shades of grey. To me, a professional logo design must have experience. They should be able to foresee what the logo will go through, for example- will the logo display well when shrunk to 32 x 32 pixels? Is the kerning good? What issues could arise when printing the logo onto shirts, or stitching it onto uniforms? (You get where I’m going…) All of this while meeting the client’s needs, style, target market etc.
There are also many different types of marks in logo design (wordmarks, emblems, lettermarks etc.) and you could be more professional in one of these specific types then others.
I guess at the end of the day, anyone can say “I’m a professional logo designer” – But I’m wondering if a test or exam exists where a logo designer can become Certified or Qualified?
Leon Poole´s last blog post..Access theme for activeCollab
This is a great topic that has many shades of grey. To me, a professional logo design must have experience. They should be able to foresee what the logo will go through, for example- will the logo display well when shrunk to 32 x 32 pixels? Is the kerning good? What issues could arise when printing the logo onto shirts, or stitching it onto uniforms? (You get where I’m going…) All of this while meeting the client’s needs, style, target market etc.
There are also many different types of marks in logo design (wordmarks, emblems, lettermarks etc.) and you could be more professional in one of these specific types then others.
I guess at the end of the day, anyone can say “I’m a professional logo designer” – But I’m wondering if a test or exam exists where a logo designer can become Certified or Qualified?
Leon Poole´s last blog post..Access theme for activeCollab
I read this post yesterday, returning this morning after I’ve had an opportunity to absorb the comments. First off, I don’t fashion myself as a “logo designer”; I’ve done a few but it’s not my passion. I find it odd most of the comments focused on being “professional”. This is admirable, however…
Aren’t logos considered iconography? And as such, it requires a lot of research (which was mentioned). Research and background information from many different points-of-view. Decision maker (client), Audience (customer), Uses (web, print, packaging, etc) and longevity.
Recently on Twitter, I responded to a query about the staying power of logos. Will my/your design still be relevant in 5, 10, 25, 50 years? We can only hope.
What about true iconography? The stop sign for example or other icons that are globally recognizable?
For me, a professional logo/icon designer is more than just a wizard with Illustrator and fonts. The behind the scenes work is really the foundation and is expressed in the design.
Congrats to all who are earning a living at creating logos/icons. Hope I can call upon you when such a project crosses my desk.
Joann
I read this post yesterday, returning this morning after I’ve had an opportunity to absorb the comments. First off, I don’t fashion myself as a “logo designer”; I’ve done a few but it’s not my passion. I find it odd most of the comments focused on being “professional”. This is admirable, however…
Aren’t logos considered iconography? And as such, it requires a lot of research (which was mentioned). Research and background information from many different points-of-view. Decision maker (client), Audience (customer), Uses (web, print, packaging, etc) and longevity.
Recently on Twitter, I responded to a query about the staying power of logos. Will my/your design still be relevant in 5, 10, 25, 50 years? We can only hope.
What about true iconography? The stop sign for example or other icons that are globally recognizable?
For me, a professional logo/icon designer is more than just a wizard with Illustrator and fonts. The behind the scenes work is really the foundation and is expressed in the design.
Congrats to all who are earning a living at creating logos/icons. Hope I can call upon you when such a project crosses my desk.
Joann
sadly acting professional doesn’t seem to figure into the equation
sadly acting professional doesn’t seem to figure into the equation
Shame I missed the original tweet – saw it on a retweet from a friend ;-)
As a professional designer that has sometimes designed logos I see it as:
1) Value – valuing your own time, and skill. This is the perception bit, where undercharging actually damages your standing – the client will value cheap work as cheap unless there is a good reason (spec/charity work etc) and spent the time messing you around – charging a good realistic rate soon concentrates their minds ;-)
2) Experience – knowing what works as someone said at 32pixels, on an email, mobile screen, tshirt. Knowing about print issues (something that I heavily lean on others as my specialism is interactive/screen design)
3) Concept: creating something that just ‘fits’ the company and will grow with it, using the experience and range of types to ‘soothsay’ as much as possible what the logo might be asked to do, and set rules for what it can’t for misuse – brand guidelines are important.
Yeah I know over 140 chars ;-)
tim aka timbearcub on Twitter
Shame I missed the original tweet – saw it on a retweet from a friend ;-)
As a professional designer that has sometimes designed logos I see it as:
1) Value – valuing your own time, and skill. This is the perception bit, where undercharging actually damages your standing – the client will value cheap work as cheap unless there is a good reason (spec/charity work etc) and spent the time messing you around – charging a good realistic rate soon concentrates their minds ;-)
2) Experience – knowing what works as someone said at 32pixels, on an email, mobile screen, tshirt. Knowing about print issues (something that I heavily lean on others as my specialism is interactive/screen design)
3) Concept: creating something that just ‘fits’ the company and will grow with it, using the experience and range of types to ‘soothsay’ as much as possible what the logo might be asked to do, and set rules for what it can’t for misuse – brand guidelines are important.
Yeah I know over 140 chars ;-)
tim aka timbearcub on Twitter
Professionals get paid for their work. Professionals also know how much work can be involved in creating a quality logo and charge accordingly.
Professionals get paid for their work. Professionals also know how much work can be involved in creating a quality logo and charge accordingly.
A Professional * is a * that’s lost it’s amateur status.
A Professional * is a * that’s lost it’s amateur status.
I ran into a blog post a while back called The Law of 10,000 hours for Expertise that explains (sort of) my thoughts on what it takes to get to point of “professional”: http://www.leveragingideas.com/2007/03/10/law-of-10000-hours-expertise-10000-hour-expert-stowe-boyd-wooten-hopkins-entrepreneurship-conference-squash/
(I’m not a logo designer but I think the idea holds true for the most part)
bushmanbill´s last blog post..bushmanbill: Reading: "How to Change Your Twitter Username ID" ( http://tinyurl.com/5mg7xk )
I ran into a blog post a while back called The Law of 10,000 hours for Expertise that explains (sort of) my thoughts on what it takes to get to point of “professional”: http://www.leveragingideas.com/2007/03/10/law-of-10000-hours-expertise-10000-hour-expert-stowe-boyd-wooten-hopkins-entrepreneurship-conference-squash/
(I’m not a logo designer but I think the idea holds true for the most part)
bushmanbill´s last blog post..bushmanbill: Reading: "How to Change Your Twitter Username ID" ( http://tinyurl.com/5mg7xk )
Great question and responses. I had pondered the same thing as I’m working towards becoming a designer.
I wrote a post about it here. There are some very good comments if you’re interested.
My favorite was that you don’t BECOME something you have to choose to BE something. Semantics perhaps, but I like it.
Getting paid helps to validate it also.
Jeremy Davis´s last blog post..The Typography of the Quantum Of Solace
Great question and responses. I had pondered the same thing as I’m working towards becoming a designer.
I wrote a post about it here. There are some very good comments if you’re interested.
My favorite was that you don’t BECOME something you have to choose to BE something. Semantics perhaps, but I like it.
Getting paid helps to validate it also.
Jeremy Davis´s last blog post..The Typography of the Quantum Of Solace
I agree that I think a big part of it is getting paid. A writer that doesn’t get paid isn’t considered professional in my mind. Its like another way of saying they don’t do it for a living. To me profession = professional. I think experience and research also play a big part. A pro knows how to design a logo and how to research the elements that will make up the logo and what the logo will convey to consumers. Being a pro takes time and dedication to the craft as well.
I agree that I think a big part of it is getting paid. A writer that doesn’t get paid isn’t considered professional in my mind. Its like another way of saying they don’t do it for a living. To me profession = professional. I think experience and research also play a big part. A pro knows how to design a logo and how to research the elements that will make up the logo and what the logo will convey to consumers. Being a pro takes time and dedication to the craft as well.
‘He went Pro’ that means, to me, he is getting paid to do it. so to civilians.. he is a pro. BUT when compared to other ‘pros’ by non civilians, that are in the industry and have a finer eye for detail, then the levels of comparison get applied. years in the biz, quality of clients and pay, etc. a pro among pros, if you will. :-D
‘He went Pro’ that means, to me, he is getting paid to do it. so to civilians.. he is a pro. BUT when compared to other ‘pros’ by non civilians, that are in the industry and have a finer eye for detail, then the levels of comparison get applied. years in the biz, quality of clients and pay, etc. a pro among pros, if you will. :-D
If you go to some sites that offer services to make a custom logo (LogoWorks, LogoVantage, etc), they charge about $100.
It would mostly depend on your work and your demands, though. If you are just starting out, you could probably charge the client around $50, I would assume. Or you could charge the client per hour. But then again, you are only making a logo, which would probably not take that long.
If you go to some sites that offer services to make a custom logo (LogoWorks, LogoVantage, etc), they charge about $100.
It would mostly depend on your work and your demands, though. If you are just starting out, you could probably charge the client around $50, I would assume. Or you could charge the client per hour. But then again, you are only making a logo, which would probably not take that long.