Ways to Get Around Branding When You Can't Afford a Graphic Designer
Starting a freelance business isn’t free. Even though you don’t have the same investment like start-ups who sell a physical product, you still have expenses -
like creating a website. And you run
into the graphics wall.
If you’re like me, graphics isn’t your thing. I mean, you like them and all, but developing
them? That takes a lot of patience. (Isn’t it interesting the things we have lots
of patience for and a complete lack of elsewhere?)
This summer, my ability to navigate graphics has improved. This knowledge would have been nice to have nine months
ago, but better late than never, right?
Getting Started
When you think about starting up a business, a logo comes up. However, in today’s world you need more than
that. You logo appears in many places across
social media, your website, business cards, and possibly in your office.
Prevailing advice says pay for a professional logo and don’t
skimp. This is your identity, after
all.
Some even believe Fiverr is better than
trying to design your own.
There are times when conventional wisdom doesn't quite work as expected and it gets expensive chasing the "right" way. I’ll share with you my experiences and you can make your own
choice.
Going the Fiverr Route
I’ve paid for three logos now. One for my husband’s freelance business, one
for my first company, and one for my company after I incorporated.
Mine were overseas designers (Romania, Lithuania, etc.) where
the money goes farther. However, things
can get lost in translation, and it makes it difficult to get the revisions the
way you envision – if at all.
The first experience was good, and we paid the premium
rate. He delivered on time. He also specialized in that industry, which
is a plus. (Tip for choosing a designer …
the higher the rates, the more experienced,
and likely better quality.)
The second experience, with a different designer at entry cost plus generous bonus, wasn’t so good.
The basic concept was nice, if one element could be removed. The promised changes never
materialized. It left me with a logo I
didn’t want to use. I finally gave up. I proceeded to avoid the website and branding
thing for months. Very unhelpful for the income producing thing.
The third experience was somewhat better, and I paid the
premium rate. I ordered the whole
ride.
Business card design, branding
manual, social media kit, etc. It was
still like pulling teeth to get what I needed.
I never did get everything.
Understanding How to Make Use of It
Then I couldn’t figure out how to use the branding manual. I thought copy and paste would work like it does
in a Word document. This week, I learned
that copying out of a .pdf document involves drawing a box around the words or
object to select in the same manner as in Paint - and then copying.
A lot of frustration and wasted time went into that. Then I needed different sizes in order to
use it on various social media sites.
I learned a bit more about resizing in Paint. I learned that I can adjust by pixel, but I
really need to pay attention to the little auto-checked box. “Maintain aspect ratio” keeps the image nice,
but won’t play well with social media recommended sizes.
The fonts he used weren’t fonts I had, so I’d have to
purchase them to create the cohesive look he suggested. I didn’t love the font, either.
He gave information on colors he used, but not in a manner other
programs asked for. I spent a lot of
time doing trial and error to get close so my information packet text colors
would match.
Finally I Gave Up
I looked at the branding manual and decided to create my own
logo and web banner, using the picture he had.
I figure I’ve already paid for it, it’s mine to use in whatever
capacity. I think that’s the only piece
I kept from the whole thing.
Why change it? First, the
logo over that picture felt a bit cartoonish.
Second, and more urgently, I needed to change my tagline. I
didn’t want to pay again and have more delays. I’m already three months into this.
It was also a white logo over a dark picture. The picture didn’t carry my brand color. Either change the picture or change the brand
color.
I Created My Own
I couldn’t do it as fast or as elegantly as a designer or hobbyist
could. Nevertheless, I created a simple
logo. I created a favicon while I was at
it.
I used fonts I had so I could replicate them in my
information packet. I also wrote down
the colors so I could replicate those.
Saving the Professional Option for Later
Would I love a high-end professional solution now? Absolutely.
I’d love to avoid spending hours on this.
And I’ll do that at some point. Maybe.
It may be good enough to leave alone.
I value my Fiverr experience. My ignorance wasn’t the designer's
fault. I just didn’t want to go through
the repeated hassle to get something I loved – or at least liked.
If I was commissioning a high-end professional, there’s a
better understanding of how to communicate what I want. And I wouldn’t feel bad about asking for
revisions if needed.
Until then? I like what
I created.
We’ll see what my website building advisor has to say!
