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3 Easy Steps to Outsource Logo Design to a Freelancer

 

Did you know you can outsource logo design? This is actually one of the best tasks that you can outsource. Logo design requires not just design skills but also branding and marketing knowledge, as well as a particular talent for logos specifically. This works for both when you need a logo designed from scratch for a new business or an update to your old logo.

You can also get the best deal when you outsource logo design. You have access to a much larger talent pool, and you’ll get more competitive rates.

What is a Freelance Graphic Designer?

A woman with color swatches drawing on a tablet and typing on a laptop.

A freelance graphic designer is a graphic designer who is not bound to a company or employer. They can work on many projects for multiple clients at the same time. They get to decide how many of these tasks or jobs to take on. This usually means they are the ones responsible for locating work or clients. They manage and negotiate their own hours, their own modes and methods of payment, and the terms of their own contracts. 

How to Outsource Logo Design to a Freelancer?

To outsource logo design, you must first hire a graphic design freelancer or freelance team. This individual or team will handle the task on a per-project basis. This is as opposed to hiring someone to do this one-time project in-house, or pulling someone off other projects to do the logo design.

Step 1: Determine Your Budget and Timeline

There are two main things you need to consider before you outsource logo design.

1. Budget

First, you need to determine the amount you are willing to spend on the project. Four things that may influence the rates of outsourced graphic designers are the country they are from, skill and experience level, and scope of the project. 

An entry-level graphic designer will cost you less, but may not provide the same quality, may not be as efficient, and may not have the software or tools to carry out the task to your high standards. You also need to consider if they have worked with other companies before. This experience might affect how they handle professional relationships. This is not always the case, though. You may find a talented graphic designer that meets your needs at beginner-level rates. If you’re outsourcing logo design specifically, it will be beneficial to ask for the designers’ portfolios and see if you’re willing to take the chance based on their talent. 

Naturally, the more complicated you want your logo design to be, the higher the price tag. 

2. Time

The second most important thing is laying out the timeline for your project. You need to ensure that you set up enough time to properly onboard the graphic designer. Let him or her know all the necessary information to produce acceptable logo samples. It’s very rare that you will find a graphic designer that will completely and immediately understand your aesthetic or vision for the logo. 

Depending on how much freedom you give them to create, you may need to set up multiple meetings for additional brainstorming and updates. You need to consider the time it takes for the conceptualization and creation of the logos, reviewing what they make, setting up meetings for revisions if necessary, and time to apply these edits. The more information you give them up front, the less you will end up paying in terms of revisions and redos.

Note: There are multiple factors that can determine how long this process will take. Make sure to set your expectations based on your budget. It’s important to communicate your preferences clearly off the bat. However, make sure to remain flexible to any suggestions your graphic designer may make.

Step 2: Determine What Kind of Image You Want. What’s Something you Definitely Don’t Want, and Something You Do?

As mentioned above, the more information you give your graphic designer, the better. This can save you a lot of time, money, and stress in the logo design process. Give your graphic designer an easier time and remove most of the guesswork. It’s better to provide them with as many details as possible that you think will be relevant to the creation of the logo. Then, let them decide how that informs their design. Remember that your logo acts somewhat like a summary of your business, so it’s better to over-explain. 

What type of information might be relevant? 

Brand details

If you have existing colors that people already associate with your brand, it’s important to communicate that. Color is one of the most important parts of brand recognition and identity. 

You also want your logo to blend with your website. Provide information on past graphic design projects, too. This may be necessary if you want to maintain a consistent style. 

With that in mind, you must know your aesthetic preferences before you even choose the graphic designer you work with. This includes images and image sizes, fonts, shapes, and the design language as a whole. Make sure to collect samples of other logos or other resources so that your designer has something they can look to for reference. 

Your mission, vision and values – the message you are trying to convey through your brand – can actually be helpful to inform the logo design. Your target audience and their age-range is important, too. 

Type of business or industry

This can inform the design. For example, sports, fashion, technology, financial management, animal rescue, pet care, etc. These would need different approaches.

The “tone” of your business is also important. This is how you choose to present yourself to your target audience. Are you more playful or professional? Comical or serious? 

Competitors

Including competitor information makes it so you don’t make a logo too similar to theirs. 

Finally, think about any designs or elements that you dislike and specifically want to avoid.

Step 3: Finding A Good Fit For You

There’s a lot that goes into determining which graphic designer is the best for your needs. 

Experience and Skill Level 

While experienced doesn’t necessarily mean better, it does most of the time. Any skill that is honed for more years will be more refined. It’s more than just how many years they have spent practicing their art and technique, either. It’s also about how much experience they have working with clients, and with design software like Photoshop or Procreate. There is a technical skill element on top of their artistic talent. That is why designers tend to indicate this on their resumes.

Portfolios

You may look at resumes for degrees and years of experience. When it comes to graphic design, however, the portfolio is probably the most important consideration. Portfolios display the talent, skill level, and style of the designer. When you outsource logo design, you yourself should have a basic idea of what you like or dislike in a design. You may be willing to take a chance on designers with less formal work experience if their designs fit your vision or aesthetic. 

Reviews and Past Projects 

An experienced graphic designer will have worked with other clients and businesses in the past. Check and see their work history. Most freelance marketplaces also have a rating system. This means you can check the reviews and see how they deliver results in a real working relationship. 

Interviews

Outsourcing logo design is more than just finding the right skill, it’s about finding someone you can work well with. Working relationships rely on the ability to communicate with each other effectively. You also want to hire someone that tackles the job with passion and enthusiasm. Ask yourself: Do you believe they will be a good fit for your team? Will they work well with others?

Where Can You Outsource Graphic Design To?

A globe on a table with a smartphone and money.

You can outsource graphic design to freelancers on freelance marketplaces or hire through graphic design agencies. These platforms help connect global talent to businesses in need of expertise at more affordable rates. The best ones will typically pre-vet anyone who applies to work with them.

You can expect to encounter top-notch, highly skilled individuals on the more exclusive platforms. Additionally, you can usually find reviews or ratings of these freelancers from previous clients to help inform your hiring decisions. 

Below are some of the marketplaces where you can find freelancers to outsource logo design to. 

  1. FreeUp – hires only the top 1% of freelancers and has a No Turnover Guarantee 
  2. Upwork – “the world’s work marketplace” that makes connecting with talent easy with their  multiple options and Talent Scout 
  3. Toptal – expert and pre-vetted graphic design talent
  4. Fiverr Pro – vetted and verified talent for as low as $5 per project

Contact us for agency referrals or individuals we can recommend.

Pros of Outsourcing Logo Design

1. Cost Savings

You can significantly cut down on costs related to hiring and maintaining in-house staff, such as salaries and benefits. Also, these designers have their own software and tools – something you would have to purchase yourself if done in-house. Plus, you can hire on a per-project basis which is significantly cheaper than full-time hiring. If you want to know how Outsource School can help you save $5000 or more each year, click here

2. Brand Consistency

When you are able to afford a professional graphic designer, you can benefit from their expertise. These designers know how to create a logo that not only reflects your brand identity but also ensures the design language fits the other elements of your brand persona (like your website). This promotes brand recognition with your audience.

3. Get Things Done Faster 

Freelancers typically work on a per-project basis. This means the sooner they finish with one, the sooner they can free up their time to take on more projects. This doesn’t mean they will rush their projects, it actually means they are more dedicated and more incentivized to meet deadlines. 

One of the benefits of hiring an experienced logo designer is their experience makes them more efficient. They get things done at a faster rate through their streamlined processes without compromising quality.

4. Global Talent Pool 

Outsourcing opens you up to a literal world of options. Local talent may be great, but you might find yourself benefiting more from international talent.

Cons of Outsourcing Logo Design

Social media icon designs on a laptop screen.

  • If you don’t give enough information to work with or maintain a healthy amount of communication, your designer won’t know what you want and you could go back and forth trying to figure out what you want. 
  • Revisions and other changes may incur additional costs. Make sure to clarify this beforehand. 
  • There could be cultural or personality clashes with your internal teams and the outsourced party. This is why interviews are important. 
  • If you outsource logo design through freelance marketplaces of ill repute, you have no guarantee of the quality of the work they produce. 

Conclusion

Outsourcing logo design is simple and carries a number of benefits. The risks that may be involved in outsourcing can be avoided by due diligence in research, preparation, and onboarding. If you want to find out our top 5 picks for outsourcing web design, click here.