Is your logo stolen?

Starting a business is easy, anyone can start a business. Keeping it going…that’s a whole new can of worms. When you do start a business, though. There is that moment of ”Do I do this myself or get a professional?” It makes sense to do things right and just get a professional. There are people trained to sell your business who care enough to make sure what they design for you is done with the sole purpose of helping you grow! But how do you find and make sure you hired a professional?

#1 Do your research

Did you see their portfolio? Are they open with sharing work done previously? They should be unless they have something to hide. Transparency is key when talking about your business, but it does go both ways. You don’t want to be associated with something or someone that can damage your brand. Especially not when starting off. So, make sure the sharing is mutual.

#2 Would you buy half-eaten food?

Bear with me, here’s the scenario. You’re hungry, waiting for the burger you just ordered. Finally! It’s here! You open up the wrapping…there’s a bite out of your freshly made burger. Safe to say this place has lost your business for good! Yet, in design I see other designers, my competition, offering services I do. But their brand is not on point based on the promises they put out there. I’m talking about social media agencies who have a terrible social media presence themselves or website designers who promise a beautiful website…but their own, looks horrible.

#3 The flipside

What about the other side of the coin? Your “web designer” has a great looking website, but the products are not on par with their promise? That leads me to my next two points and probably the most important.

#4 Use Image Search to make sure you haven’t been duped

I know you don’t want to hear this, especially not when starting a business or if you have just okayed your final logo for your new business venture…BUT, there are so many free design resources out there, and sadly some designers use these resources to their benefit thinking you as the client will never find out. In some case they literally take the design and simply change the colours. Which is “skelm” but sadly it happens. Copy the logo received from your designer into Google Image Search to check whether similar (or identical) designs are floating around the internet.

#5 When can you use free design files?

When building a brand, it is imperative that it stays unique and holds its own. So, using these resources to establish your brand is not a good idea. Simply because you have no control if anyone else decides to use the same files. If you need basic elements like a phone in vector format or icons that are easily recognisable then sure. Free design sites should really only serve as a basis for finding ideas. Many of these free vectors and mock-ups look good, and they are. But if you ever want to use the logo ideas as a logo, it should be changed by at least 60% to ensure that your brand stays unique and consistent to you.

Have you been a victim of this? And yes, you are a victim if you paid a designer to only discover that they used a free file designed by another designer. That sucks! If you would like us to help fix or rectify damage done by previous “marketers” then give us a shout. Marketing and design are one of those constants we unfortunately all have to do as a business. Even us!

But rest assured we have enough experience to guide and help you to where you would like to take your business! So come on, mail us: info@designerneeded.com. Let’s move you forward!