I have a project that I'm launching in the next few weeks, but it is still logoless. Should I leave it logoless for a while (while bootstrapping), or suck it up and drop a $300 on a 99designs custom design or something? Is there a cheaper alternative?
Ask HN: What to do for logos?
1–10 of 57 posts
Re: Ask HN: What to do for logos?
#2twitter bought its logo for hella cheap, but go find an online graphical design community. Most of them are looking for any type of work to add to their portfolio and most will do it for free or on the cheap.
Re: Ask HN: What to do for logos?
#3The cheapest option would be to make something up yourself.
Inkscape (http://www.inkscape.org/) is a decent open source vector graphics editor that you should be able to use to whip up something halfway decent.
The issue you can have if you go with a really cheap logo is that it may be just a rip off of some other logo, and you may run into trademark issues.
Re: Ask HN: What to do for logos?
#4Do you have a concept in mind or are you looking for the concept generation + design rendering?
Ping me, email in my profile.
Re: Ask HN: What to do for logos?
#5twitter bought its logo for hella cheap, but go find an online graphical design community. Most of them are looking for any type of work to add to their portfolio and most will do it for free or on the cheap.
I really have to disagree here. I think this is absolutely the wrong attitude to have towards the design community. If someone came to this community and asked to build them an app for free they would get shut down.
Instead of putting up $300 on 99 design have a look around for a designer that makes logos that you like the look of and send them an email and ask what they can do for that amount. You might only get a few hours of their time, but you're probably going to get a much better result, and you'll be doing the whole design community a favour by not asking for free work.
EDIT: As a stop-gap, the inkscape option that pwim suggested sounds good.
Re: Ask HN: What to do for logos?
#6Ash does some simple and inexpensive logo design work - http://inkash.com/Print
Re: Ask HN: What to do for logos?
#7twitter bought its logo for hella cheap, but go find an online graphical design community. Most of them are looking for any type of work to add to their portfolio and most will do it for free or on the cheap.
I really have to disagree here. I think this is absolutely the wrong attitude to have towards the design community. If someone came to this community and asked to build them an app for free they would get shut down. Instead of putting up $300 on 99 design have a look around for a designer that makes logos that you like the look of and send them an email and ask what they can do for that amount. You might only get a f…
"you'll be doing the whole design community a favour by not asking for free work."
This is a free market. Supply and demand. If people are willing to do quality work for free, let them. If someone is looking for quality work and they find it for free, they should take it. Doing a group of professionals "a favour" does not enter into the equation.
"If someone came to this community and asked to build them an app for free they would get shut down."
That's because no one made millions because of a logo. Apps are simply more valuable than logos, period. And they require more skill to create.
Re: Ask HN: What to do for logos?
#899designs.com
Re: Ask HN: What to do for logos?
#999designs.
I feel bad about it because I would hate to see a programmer in the same boat. The truth is I just haven't found a versatile designer that's reasonably priced whose work I consistently like.
As long as 99designs consistently provides better results for less money i'll probably keep using it.
Re: Ask HN: What to do for logos?
#10I have a friend / former co-worker whose sister is a graphics design student. She (the sister) created the last logo I needed, and I'll probably go back to her in the future.