Yes, we designers have a bad rep for being arrogant. Some of us have even earned the “right” to be. But that does not excuse the lack of support and respect that we face when thrusted into the business community at large.

It’s tricky. I have found myself lowering my base price for logo/identity design due to the very same internet companies. Hum bug! But it is the reality of the world we live in (especially state-side).

What we are obligated to do is educate our clients, inform them of the very process that gives birth to a well-designed, accurately portrayed logo. The hours of work and investigation, once explained, will more often than not justify our pricing standards. Companies that are serious about their product and mission will understand that.

If you, as a designer, want to cheapen your portfolio for a $5 quick sale (lunch at McDonald’s)–that’s on your head. If you, as the client, want to purchase a $5 logo in favor of cutting overhead–you get what you pay for.

[...] More on stock logos. [...]

I do believe there is market for these cheap ones, and that market often overlaps with the “bartender made it” one. I have seen respectable companies having logos, websites and business card acquired the “my nephew has a computer and a graphic software” way. I cringe upon seeing the results (am not a graphic designer, but do crafts and have interest in the arts). But – c est la vie i guess. Those companies will not pay for professional designers, also because sometimes the designers can be, face it, pretty arrogant and their work might seem (to the untrained eye) expensive. When the bartender or nephew can produce some word art+cli art thing in half an hour, they just do not see the value in investing in a professional designer. education is best:)

[...] is clearly a market for stock identity solutions considering the recent news that iStockPhoto will begin selling pre-designed logos alongside other sites like Brandstack. We [...]

Some people do nothing but take photos and sell them as stock images, and that’s fine. But people who upload and download boxed logos are the same type of people who continue this world-wide trend of ‘something for nothing’. People, You get what you give.

@Lorenzo:”…no thanks, i have one of my bartenders do it for $50 and they look great”. – yea, I can just see it now: black magic marker freehanded on cheap manilla card stock with the black ink seeping through the back of the sheet.

@Kim Tackett: “I recently had a client tell me “I don’t need a new logo, I bought this perfectly good one for $100.” And btw, it perfectly sucked.
He hired me to do other work, but this doesn’t bode well for our relationship.”

Well, this should be interesting, just as wearing a flip-flop on one foot and a dress shoe on the other would be. His business will have a very eclectic look, because your good work (dress shoe) will look silly standing next to his $100 logo (flip-flop). Design must be unified throughout an entire organization, or that organization will become a disorganization, and fail. Although I don’t know your client, I wonder if they love their business, as their logo choice seems careless. It’s hard to love what we do for clients when some clients don’t love what they do for themselves or what we do for them.

I think everyone should read “Do You Matter? How great design will make people love your company”. In a nutshell, it makes a great argument for the holistic design that should be the hallmark of every company.

I feel this would be a good oppurtunity for a less experienced designer to gain exposure. I dont think the pros should participate in this, not for 5 dollars.

[...] “stock logos” for sale on their site. Much digital ink has been spilled in outrage, disgust, indifference and excitement. But what does this really mean for the design industry and the creative marketplace [...]