Why Does A Professional Logo Cost So Much?
Being a graphic designer is not as easy as it may seem. Sure you have moments where you are creative and bring creativity to your clients. That is just not the norm. People come to you with their ideas and vision for their brand. Your job is to transform their thoughts into the images they desire. It is a job that you need to be passionate about, you need to be able to understand people’s needs and how to relay information to them. It is a multifaceted job that many misinterpret as being easy. I have found many questioning the cost of design work for branding projects. For that reason, I wanted to take this opportunity to write about what it costs to be a graphic designer, why does a professional logo cost so much, and why you should have a graphic designer on your team.
First Up, The Education
Let’s approach this from a tangible perspective first. focusing on education to be a good graphic designer. Yes, there are simple online courses for graphic design but they are not true representations of what it means to be educated in graphic design. It is more akin to taking a seminar on the subject. I know it may sound harsh but the truth is that there is more to design than 5 principles. Typography alone is hugely important and it is often just an afterthought. with that said, we are now going to take a look at the breakdown of costs for a graphic design degree.
Degree (undergraduate)
Depending on the school of choice you can expect to spend €8000 to €20000 per year.
Degree materials (undergraduate)
Course materials can range anywhere from €10000 to €30000 for the entire length of study.
Honours Degrees (postgraduate)
Here is where things get really expensive. You are looking at €15000 to €27000 per year.
Next in Line, The Hardware
Once you have begun formal education in graphic design you will need the equipment and materials to complete the course. Sometimes the equipment is offered by the institute offering the course. Other times it is up to you to get all the necessary equipment. The tools of the trade are rather expensive. It makes it hard for many young designers to achieve an ideal setup. In fact, the costs are so high that many professionals continue to use less-than-ideal setups. Somehow performing well under those conditions, providing refined work in the desired formats. I find it quite remarkable.
- Computer with appropriate graphic design capabilities will be between €2500 to €5500
- A graphic tablet and stylus are between €1500 to €5000
Lastly, Subscriptions for Software
In most professions, there is some kind of ongoing cost. If you are a clinical psychologist you will likely need to pay a fee for being part of an association that provides accreditation. It is not uncommon. In the profession of graphic design, it is all about the software. Each project has a cost and there are ongoing costs for the use of needed software. Graphic designers that work for large agencies have these paid by the organisation. Smaller companies and self-employed designers pay for this themselves.
- Adobe Creative Cloud Package: €63.51 per month
- Pantone Package: approximately €15 per month
Optional Extras
- Stock image libraries: packages ranging from €29 to €200 per month
- Fonts: individual packages ranging from €2 to €500 per font package
Why Does A Professional Logo Cost So Much?
Look at the start-up fees. It is a pricey profession to get into and your entire client base is based on reputation. Marketing is expensive and the waters are muddied with free logo creators. Something that is useful for Harry down the road selling his homemade jam but not ideal for a full-fledged brand.
Years of study, practice, and experience have been garnered to provide a well-designed logo design. It is not simply someone who has a knack for images but someone who has spent their career perfecting that one skill. It is worth the time and money spent on a graphic designer. They will be able to advise the best way forward for your vision and deliver work faster than any other method of getting design work done.
Why Is It A Great Idea To Have A Graphic Designer On Your Team?
There is no dispute that epic design is visually stimulating. It is something that allows you to connect with your audience on a completely different level. Much like good writing, it can be an invaluable tool in your tool kit. A designer with experience will be able to provide work within short time frames and deliver it at a high standard. Even a novice designer will bring quality work to the table without having to tackle the stumbling blocks of figuring it out for yourself.
Designers also know how to speak to printers and developers, making them the perfect liaison for getting marketing collateral done in a timely fashion. Whether you decide to use a freelance graphic designer or hire someone in-house, you will benefit greatly from the work that will be delivered. They can get to know you and your brand to the point where they will keep the visual tone precise and concise. Think of it as an investment in your branding. Having a dedicated professional on your team saves you time and reduces meetings significantly.
In Conclusion
I trust we have been able to answer the question ‘why does a professional logo cost so much?’. There is a lot of preparation that goes into becoming a graphic designer. Years of experience on top of that increasing the output in terms of time, understanding the need and quality of the design. The guidance throughout the design process along with the high standard of deliverables is all the reason to hire a professional as either an outsourced individual or hire someone on board. You will certainly benefit.
