Resources for Designing a Logo on the Cheap

      

Whether your client has a small budget, you’re starting out and are trying to bootstrap your business, or are trying to save money during lean times, finding resources to help you design a logo on the cheap is important. While you may already have design software or typically pay for a subscription to an online program, it’s important to know what other options and resources are available to help you design and produce logos for your clients that are what they want, but are still within their budget, (and yours).

Whether you need an online logo maker, templates to show your clients as examples of what their logo could look like, or some non-traditional fonts, here are some of the top resources to help you design logos on the cheap:

Designhill

Designhill is a well-known graphic design website that offers different services for both designers and business owners. One of the best tools that they offer is their free logo designer, making it easy for you to create the logo your client wants without spending more time and money than it’s worth.

Logojoy

Another website that enables you to create logos from predesigned templates, Logojoy is an easy-to-use program that makes logo creation fast and easy. If you only need it every once in a while, you can opt for the cheapest pricing option, or you can sign up for a subscription which will still save you money while letting you create consistent, high-quality work for your clients.

Logaster

Logaster is another logo maker that makes logo creation fast and easy with its premade, professional templates. Its pricing is extremely affordable with plans that suit any of your clients’ needs, whether they want a web logo or need something for print too. If you’re looking for a program to use that won’t cost you a small fortune, Logaster is it.

Canva

Canva is another design program that you can use, but it’s free. You can use it to create everything from fliers to postcards, but it has templates and elements for logos too. If you’re bootstrapping or really tight on cash, Canva is a great program option.

Logo Genie

If you’re not sure about the other logo design programs mentioned, then Logo Genie could be the right one for you. Their templates are progressive and professional, and easy to customize so that you can make it exactly how your client wants it to be. From using the exact right color code to getting letter spacing right, you have that control with this program.

Logolog

Logolog is a blog that focuses specifically on design and features examples of logos that you may or may not be familiar with already. It’s a simple site, demonstrating that sometimes less is more. You can explore the logos featured, get a little bit of background information, and get ideas for your work if you have designer’s block.

UpCounsel

UpCounsel is a tool that you can both use personally, and use to help out your clients. Whether you need legal services to protect your intellectual property or want to help your smaller clients make sure that the pieces you create for them are protected, you can use UpCounsel to find an attorney like Aaron Kelly, or refer your clients to UpCounsel to find the representation they need.

dafont.com

Classic fonts can sometimes make great logos, but other times you need something fresh and fancy. dafont.com has hundreds of free fonts that you can download to use in your clients’ logos no matter what style you’re looking for. From cartoon style to medieval style, dafont.com has it all.

JUST Creative

Everybody needs a good resource to stay up-to-date on industry news, get tips from other professionals, and follow along with all-things logo/design. JUST Creative is a blog run by designer Jacob Cass. While the site discusses his experience and displays his work, he also maintains a blog that can help designers of all skill levels, whether employed by a firm or freelancing.

Logopond

If only clients knew exactly what they wanted. While some do, many don’t even have an idea. They say they will “know it when we see it”. As a logo designer, this can be frustrating and make your job extremely difficult. Having examples of logos to show them can speed the process up and give you a more solid direction than vague adjectives. Logopond is full of beautifully created logos that you can show your clients as examples to help them get ideas.

What other resources do you like to use when designing logos?