Where can I find an inexpensive graphic designer?

July 7, 2007 1:53 PM

Where can I find a graphic designer that would work on a sliding scale?

I need 2-3 small images designed for an academic presentation [non-commercial and will not go in print]. I have basic sketches but I need them to look polished. Here is an excellent example (the logo at the top) of the kind of final product I am looking for.

a) Can anyone help me find a designer/(s) that would work on a sliding scale? We're on a very tight budget. (we = me; tight budget = my grad student salary). I do understand that artists need to feed themselves too but I am looking for some middle ground where both artist and I are happy.

b) If this sort of thing is way too expensive, can you suggest websites/tutorials/photoshop techniques that I can learn from?

I've got some good tips from this question but I need more help. Thanks!

posted by special-k to media & arts (11 comments total)

check with the art department of your local college. some aspiring designer will be happy to add that to their portfolio.
posted by thinkingwoman at 2:20 PM on July 7, 2007

I'd love to do it! I just bought a house and every last penny counts right now. Tell me what you can afford, and what you want, and I'll let you know if I can do it. I've sent you an email to your gmail address as well.
Thanks!
posted by tralala-oops at 2:27 PM on July 7, 2007

If this sort of thing is way to expensive

to = too. aargh, embarrassing typo.
posted by special-k at 2:31 PM on July 7, 2007

Not trying to threadjack, but in terms of finding a more general solution to your problem, is there anything around that's like Rent-a-Coder, but for graphics/design professionals?

Seems like that's what you're looking for (thoughts on RAC, good or bad, notwithstanding).
posted by Kadin2048 at 2:50 PM on July 7, 2007

Do some Googling and contact local studios whose work you like. Tell them exactly what you said here, be honest about your price range, and ask them if they can do it or can recommend somebody who can. Some studios will decline to help, but others will do the work or will refer you to somebody who can.
posted by ardgedee at 3:38 PM on July 7, 2007

Contact your local AIGA, the TDC or an Art Directors association. Sometimes school programs will match a (good / experienced) student with you, too, as noted above.
posted by luriete at 4:35 PM on July 7, 2007

My University has a print and design department who's exact job is doing this kind of work for faculty and students. They're affiliated with the department that prints and binds theses and course notes, and can also print large scale posters (as seen at a scientific conference) and the like. It's not free but is very reasonable and many departments have small amounts of funding for their students to use these services.

So definitely look in house, I would be surprised if your school didn't offer some kind of similar support for their grad students or at least have ideas of where you can go locally for this kind of thing.
posted by shelleycat at 6:34 PM on July 7, 2007

who's exact job

Or should that be whose? Either way, you get the idea.
posted by shelleycat at 6:35 PM on July 7, 2007

You could try Design Outpost, where several designers compete for the money you offer to get a logo and other graphic elements designed. Average costs are about $150 per logo, if I remember correctly.
posted by madman at 10:27 PM on July 7, 2007

I'm taking a huge leap and assuming you're at UC Davis from your profile. If not, your college/university might also have something like this.
posted by UnclePlayground at 8:37 AM on July 9, 2007

Worth1000 do commercial contests too - the standard is variable, but there's normally one or two good concepts in each.
posted by blag at 3:47 PM on July 10, 2007