Free Logo Maker for Website

July 15, 2005 2:04 AM

Can you suggest a free service that will make a smart logo for the heading of web sites. (Something similar to the nice logos at Gotlogos gallery, which is a paid service)
posted by webmeta to computers & internet (16 comments total)

Are you kidding? Why would someone do all that work for free? Maybe if you're a non-profit you can convince someone to do it pro bono.
posted by grouse at 2:27 AM on July 15, 2005

Or maybe suggest a cheaper solution under $5
posted by webmeta at 2:36 AM on July 15, 2005

Cheaper than $5?! I suggest you ask a friend.
posted by Marquis at 3:13 AM on July 15, 2005

Got Logos

It's $25 dollars but it's insane to think you can get a professionally created logo for much cheaper.
posted by cyphill at 3:32 AM on July 15, 2005

Cool Text. Free online graphics generator. If you're not too picky, it could work for you.
posted by JanetLand at 5:07 AM on July 15, 2005

Have you heard the phrase: "You get what you pay for..."?

Why do you expect to get something that involves effort and thought and skill to be free, or done for pocket change? Do you go to hospital and get doctors to lowball the price of a medical procedure?

Seriously... pay a professional to design a logo for you. Graphic design is about how something works, not just how it looks.

(I weep for the future of my profession...)
posted by jpburns at 5:20 AM on July 15, 2005

I don't know of any place that will generate logos for free, but you could ask someone (nicely), who happens to have a knack for text, on a forum you visit regularly.

Maybe someday, huh? Then I could finally direct my career into better professions, such as: homeless drunkard; migrant worker; and minimum-wage day laborer.
posted by Colloquial Collision at 5:29 AM on July 15, 2005

What about contacting a college/university graphic design program and asking for a student to do it? They get a piece for their portfolio and experience working with a real client, and you can write them a really good reference in lieu of payment.

Can you offer something to a designer in return? Someone might do it if you offer something you do for free.
posted by melissa at 5:41 AM on July 15, 2005

melissa's got the best idea, i think -- and you might wind up with something better in the long run.
posted by jruckman at 6:13 AM on July 15, 2005

Here is your high-quality free logo because graphic design is free and designers are worthless and what do they know anyway:



(Seriously, just pay someone to do it; also, five dollars is an insult.)
posted by Optimus Chyme at 9:18 AM on July 15, 2005

Is it appropriate to answer all the non-answers rather the the initial questioner?

note: Ask MetaFilter is as useful as you make it. Please limit comments to answers or help in finding an answer. Wisecracks don't help people find answers. Thanks Optimus.

The difference between $5 and $25 might not be a lot to many of us reading this but to the poster (or for this specific project) it might be a big deal. But hey, don't let that fact and the "be helpful or shutup" AskMeFi guidelines keep you from your high and mighty snideness.

Webmeta - I think the only way you're gonna find cheaper than GotLogos pricing is to find someone who wants some exposure and that you can give a shout-out credit on the site to. If you don't have any friends or friends-of-friends with the skill & desire you could try posting to the Volunteer section of craisglist.org with the proposal. Just don't be an ass and post it to gigs - that's for paying projects.
posted by phearlez at 9:46 AM on July 15, 2005

The difference between $5 and $25 might not be a lot to many of us reading this but to the poster (or for this specific project) it might be a big deal. But hey, don't let that fact and the "be helpful or shutup" AskMeFi guidelines keep you from your high and mighty snideness.

Sometimes the questions are unrealistic or unethical. My advice - to pay someone more than minimum wage - is hardly bad. If he can't spare even fifty dollars, then he needs to either learn the basics and do it himself or I guess he can take advantage of someone. I'm not going to recommend the latter.
posted by Optimus Chyme at 10:07 AM on July 15, 2005

I'm a graphic designer. I've designed many logos; perhaps I can be of assistance.

Webmeta, do you need a logo for your business, or do you need a graphic for the header of a website? A logo appears on business cards, letterheads, marketing collateral, and anything else which identifies the business, while a graphic appears in only one or two places--say, for example, the header of a web page.

Logos are custom-made fingerprints for businesses; they're designed to be recognized and remembered by customers as the cornerstone of the company's brand. They're a business investment, designed to identify a business and live on in perpetuity--I need only point to Apple or Nike as examples of how powerful a logo can be. See that? I didn't need to show or even describe Apple's or Nike's logos--everyone knows what they look like. That's the power--and the value--of a logo.

Now, you can probably find someone who will design you a logo for five dollars. You can even make it yourself with Microsoft Word and its paint effects. My advice to you in making this logo of yours is to think about how you want your business to be perceived, recognized, and remembered, and how this logo will help you accomplish those goals.

My email is in my profile; please feel free to contact me with questions and we can talk about your project.
posted by fandango_matt at 10:49 AM on July 15, 2005

[removed some comments, please keep it on topic]
posted by jessamyn at 11:24 AM on July 15, 2005

I once looked for a cheap or free service, too. But I ended up buying The Logo Creator program. Trust me, I'm no artist and can barely operate a pc, but I've made some darn good logo's, headers, icons, buttons, business cards, etc. with Logo Creator - I could make anything in the GotLogos library. You might consider it if you're going to need several different sizes, etc.
posted by LadyBonita at 11:32 AM on July 15, 2005

In that case, let me rephrase my original response. Ahem.

If you want an uninspired piece of junk, you could go with a generated-service. Might I suggest asking around your friends if anyone knows a graphic designer and perhaps bartering for a logo. You're results will be much better, much more relevant and well-though out, have an actual concept behind them, and you will be proud to show it off. Also, some designers might even consider doing work at a lower-rate during their off-hours for someone's personal project. Ask around and put some thought into how you want your project to appear. Your appearance will reflect the quality of your work and efforts. Good tattoos aren't cheap. Cheap Tattoos aren't good.
posted by helvetica at 11:37 AM on July 15, 2005