Fake Logo Designs
Published on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 – 12:01 am | 53 brilliant comments »
It is my guess that about 60 to 70% of the logo designs posted in logo design gallery websites (such as Logo Pond) are actually fake (I use the term ‘fake’ for lack of a better word).
This means there is no real client, no real design brief nor any client feedback to effect the design… so does this make one a professional logo designer?
In this article I want to raise some questions and thoughts on this issue of fictitious logo design as I know this topic is a very subjective one and one that is not very often talked about so I am looking forward to your replies.
Update 7th June:
The topic of fake logo designs was brought up again 5 months after posting this article.
Questions To Consider
- Are you still a professional logo designer if you produce fictional logo designs?
- If a real client decides to hire you, will they get a logo as creative / successful as your other fictitious logos?
- How can a client know if your logo designs are real or not?
- How does one choose a logo designer?
- What are the benefits & disadvantages of creating fictional logo designs?
Thoughts On Fake Logo Designs
This article comes after reading a forum thread started by Raja on Logo Pond.
Raja starts off the discussion by saying:
“I am curious on the communities thoughts on these logos being posted [on Logo Pond]. I am neither for or against it, it’s not my website, but I wonder what others think. It’s almost as though these ‘identities’ are being drawn up as more of a whim than a well thought out solution to a real business’s requirements. Sure, it’s fun and very easy to create a cool image and think of a catchy name that ‘goes’ with it and post it here for view, but does that ‘water down’ the quality of work here? And also eliminate the entire challenge of creating a logo in the first place, like meeting the business objective of a real client. Is it random abstract art or Logo Design?”
In the forum discussion there were some mixed opinions… David Airey had this to say:
“As designers, our role is to solve a ‘problem’. Included within this problem is the task of educating clients why our designs are effective.
If it’s necessary to start our careers with the use of fictitious logos, so be it, but after a certain number of live projects have been completed, I believe it dilutes a portfolio to keep the fictitious ones included.”
Personally, I couldn’t agree more about the fact as our role as designers is to solve a ‘problem’. This is one of the main reasons why I think fake logo designs are, like Raja suggested… more like abstract pieces of art (in some respect). There is little (or less) challenge when creating a fictitious logo because there is no real design brief, no real client and no real feedback. But as David said, if you have to, so be it.
But in saying that, sites like Logo Pond are there for inspiration among other things… they can be used for a place to discuss logo design, have fun, get critique and improve ones portfolio.
Other opinions
“I do a lot of work just to satisfy myself. I kind of view it as art, and I do a lot of it just for fun, or for t-shirts I want to get printed down the road.”
“Of course, made up brands can never stand next to real projects with real clients and real tasks in terms of the final result and recognition that one designer receives, but, at the end, a good logo is a good logo.”
Mark from FillSlashStroke showed his strong opinions on fake logo designs in his article One Man’s Trash is Another Mans… Trash due to the fact that fake logo designs end up on sites such as IncSpring.
“IncSpring is a site that lets you sell unused concepts, contest entries or “new ideas” to interested parties. It is basically a garbage heap, recycling center of ideas that clients didn’t want, or the designer couldn’t pull off. It is a grab bag of unwanted, thoughtless brands.”
But most of all I liked the analogy from Fogra.
“A logo without a client is an illustration with a tie on…”
Another question to ask is… if a real client hires you, will they get a logo as creative / successful as your other fictitious logos?
This is a question a client should consider before hiring a logo designer and a hard one to determine, so this brings me onto the next question…
How do you choose a logo designer?
I will be covering this question in an article next week or in the new year so ensure you are subscribed so you do not miss out. In the the mean time here is what you should base your decision on in short:
- Strength of Portfolio
- Experience & Proven Success
- Testimonials
- Their Design Process
- Time Frame Completed
- Price
- The Questions Asked
- Professionalism
- Communication
What Is Your Opinion?
So what are your opinions on fictitious logo designs? Consider these thoughts when replying:
- Are you still a professional logo designer if you produce fictional logo designs?
- If a real client hires you, will they get a logo as creative / successful as your other fictitious logos?
- How can a client know if your logo designs are real or not? Should you tell them?
- What are the benefits & disadvantages of creating fictional logo designs?
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