Logo Design Isn't For Me

C

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I posted this on another forum and wanted to see what people here think -

Ever since I first decided to start working in web design/graphic design field a couple of years ago, I've been trying to narrow down what I'd be best suited to. At first I decided I wanted to do web design but quickly discovered that I don't like coding and all the fiddly issues with browser problems, mobile compatibility etc.

Then I decided I'd go into graphic design as I am quite artistically inclined anyway. However after about 18 months of considering myself a 'logo designer' I think I've come to the conclusion that it's not for me. When I see all the great logo designers out there I start to realize that I'm not at the level and won't be any time soon. The fact that logo design is open to interpretation and can essentially be anything when you start a project is something I find crippling rather than liberating. That combined with the fact that there is now more competition than ever with designers from all round the world offering logo design at ridiculously cheap prices on sites like <<removed>>, I've realised that to be able to charge well for it I'd have to be world class and I'm just not motivated enough to improve to that level.

It's actually quite liberating to rule out logo design as it's been weighing on my mind for a long time since I set the intention to do it and have felt obligated ever since. Something I do really enjoy is vector illustration and character design as you have a much more concrete idea of what you should be doing when compared to logos. I've had it in my mind for a long time that before I can really start making money as a graphic designer I have to have a brilliant portfolio of logos but I'm going to abandon that idea and just focus on designing mascots and other vector illustration since I'm much more inclined to do that well.

Anyway thanks for reading. Would be really interesting to hear about other people's similar experiences when it comes to web/graphic design
 
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It is tough competing against global designers doing it for ridiculous prices. I guess you have to pitch to your strengths which would be communication, levels of service, availability to meet in person - it does have to be backed up by damn good design though.
 
It sounds like you're really limiting yourself and I can't help but wonder why? Why do you feel you have to choose one or the other? If you consider yourself a graphic designer then you should be able to do as many things as possible. What you can do should vastly outweigh what you can't do. Otherwise you're not really a graphic designer, you're just a logo designer as you've said or mascot illustrator. I can understand you giving up web design as I did the same thing. Web design is just not for me, my brain is not wired to understand coding properly. I find it increasing annoying that people can't seem to understand that a graphic designer and a web designer are two different things. But my advice to you would be to do as many different things as possible, limiting yourself to just one is unwise. There's no harm in having one thing in particular as your strength but don't dismiss other stuff that you're capable of. You have a big portfolio of logos, use it! Who's to say some of your work is not as good as the next person's? Be more confident and use ALL your skills.
 
I would have agreed with you until recently and I've always had it in my head that to be a graphic designer should be able to do a lot of different types of work. To be honest though I no longer see it that way. My thinking now is that I'd rather be a master of one or two things than be a jack of all trades. I can live with being called just a mascot designer than being a graphic designer. As long as I can make money doing something I enjoy and am good at then I don't mind. I'm not going to give up on logo design but I've decided that I'm going to focus on one area of it in particular, namely custom lettering and calligraphy. That way I don't have to guess what's in a client's head, which is the part of logo design I really dislike. When I look at some of the top designer's portfolios they tend to specialize in one area whether it be mascots, lettering, badges etc. which makes sense as trying to be good at everything just means you have to scatter your focus. I'm happy I came to this decision now rather than wasting any more time frustrating myself.
 
Well good for you man. I think the point I was trying to get across is there are graphic designers out there who are highly skilled in a vast range of design and web design who are struggling to get work. You limiting yourself to just one aspect will make it even more difficult. There's nothing wrong in specialising in a certain area if you can get the work for it. What I love about graphic design seems to be what you dislike. I adore the full range of different projects that come with graphic design. I'd get bored doing the same thing over and over again. If a client was after a mascot design but also wanted a bunch of promotional material, a banner on their website and a magazine and they had a choice of someone as equally skilled as yourself, but can design everything they've asked for, it would make more sense to go to the person that can give them all they want, rather than just the mascot and then have to pay someone else for everything else. Not only would it most likely be more cost efficient for the client but it is simply just more convenient.
 
CLHB said:
If a client was after a mascot design but also wanted a bunch of promotional material, a banner on their website and a magazine and they had a choice of someone as equally skilled as yourself, but can design everything they've asked for, it would make more sense to go to the person that can give them all they want, rather than just the mascot and then have to pay someone else for everything else. Not only would it most likely be more cost efficient for the client but it is simply just more convenient.
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I hear what you're saying and that's definitely a scenario where someone who's multi skilled would have the advantage but there's also plenty of scenarios where someone would want one specific thing and they'd rather go to someone who's a extremely skilled and specializes in it rather than someone who's just decent. Another reason why I'd rather specialize is because I got into this area of work quite late (26) with no prior experience of art, design, digital illustration etc. so I'm having to do a lot of catching up so it makes sense for me to take this approach. I understand where you're coming from though, I guess everyone has to choose a different path that suits them best :)
 
Ah I see. I mean I wouldn't worry about your ago too much, we're not athletes haha. But yeah I guess at the end of the day you've got to do what ever you are most happy with. And if you find lots of work for your specialist area then you're laughing. I understand where you're coming from but to assume that someone who is multi skilled is not as good in a certain area then someone who specialises in that niche, would be a mistake. This would more commonly apply if we were discussing a graphic designer vs a web designer. The reason why most graphic designers can work across a broad range of media is because design kind of goes hand in hand. You use your same knowledge of design but just apply it to different formats to suit the brief. That's why you'll find some designers have the confidence to go after a type of brief they may have never done before, as we can adept and apply are skills to almost anything. Our versatility does not make us any worst or better than someone who specialises in a certain area, it just makes us versatile.
 
CLHB said:
Ah I see. I mean I wouldn't worry about your ago too much, we're not athletes haha.
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Yeah I guess you're right, there are actually are quite a lot of designers out there who are really good in a lot of different fields. People like Alan Oronoz and Sergio Ordonez are the types of designers I look up to and they tend to be great at quite a lot of stuff. Unfortunately I don't think I'm on that level so better to focus on a few things I think I'd be good at. I actually read a really interesting article last night on this very subject. You can read it here - Jack Of All Trades Vs. Master Of One: A Designer’s Perspective
 
Nice read. I think people over think things too much. I guess it comes down to opinion at the end of the day, but specialising in one area is playing with fire in this day and age if you ask me. Some of the points made would maybe true several years ago but not necessarily now. For example, I wish I had so much work on that I found it difficult to manage it all. People are mostly struggling for work and are desperate for anything that they can get. One major issue with being a specialist that it doesn't mention is, who's to say that what ever someone specialises in will be relevant in 5 years time? Then what are they going to do? Also, who's to say you have to be 'Jack of All Trades' OR 'Master of One?' Why can't you be both? A master of one AND skilled in other areas? I find the use of the words 'Jack of All Trades' quite negative as well, but I like the why they refer to people like me as a 'Chameleon,' haha that was nicely put and it was what I was trying to explain to you earlier.
 
[email protected] said:
I posted this on another forum and wanted to see what people here think -

Ever since I first decided to start working in web design/graphic design field a couple of years ago, I've been trying to narrow down what I'd be best suited to. At first I decided I wanted to do web design but quickly discovered that I don't like coding and all the fiddly issues with browser problems, mobile compatibility etc.

Then I decided I'd go into graphic design as I am quite artistically inclined anyway. However after about 18 months of considering myself a 'logo designer' I think I've come to the conclusion that it's not for me. When I see all the great logo designers out there I start to realize that I'm not at the level and won't be any time soon. The fact that logo design is open to interpretation and can essentially be anything when you start a project is something I find crippling rather than liberating. That combined with the fact that there is now more competition than ever with designers from all round the world offering logo design at ridiculously cheap prices on sites like <<removed>>, I've realised that to be able to charge well for it I'd have to be world class and I'm just not motivated enough to improve to that level.

It's actually quite liberating to rule out logo design as it's been weighing on my mind for a long time since I set the intention to do it and have felt obligated ever since. Something I do really enjoy is vector illustration and character design as you have a much more concrete idea of what you should be doing when compared to logos. I've had it in my mind for a long time that before I can really start making money as a graphic designer I have to have a brilliant portfolio of logos but I'm going to abandon that idea and just focus on designing mascots and other vector illustration since I'm much more inclined to do that well.

Anyway thanks for reading. Would be really interesting to hear about other people's similar experiences when it comes to web/graphic design
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Actually dude! The thing matters is your mind's creativity. You are 100% right that logo designing field has a lot of competition and to make stable yourself between the sharp and creative designers is not easy. But human's mind always thinks beyond the boundaries. If you are creative and you have ideas about designing the logos then one day, you will definitely stand on the peak of designing with outclass logo designers of the world. You can compete with the world's top most designers. This is my personal experience.
 
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I think logo design is one of the easiest and most rewarding areas of graphic design there is. Your given a brand name to promote. Sometimes the name has high visual properties which makes things easier i.e. Apple, Red Car, Bluefin etc and sometimes you may be limited to just a few letters for a name but both situations mean you can let your real creativity loose. The first thing I do when I receive a brief is brainstorm ideas. That is, pen and paper, with the brand name in the centre and then writing down all the things that pop into my mind related to that name. Even as far as shapes that appear between letters in the name (think FedEX). Then when you've exhausted that channel go over it and pick out some of the better words that can then start forming an image or a shape. Just let your imagination go and explore everything. Everytime you eliminate something that doesnt work you will be one step closer to something that does. Once you reach an idea that works you then need to know how to create it using the tools you have, Illustrator hopefully. Which is where college or an Illustrator course comes in.
 
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