Outsource Art/Logo design for non-profit?

December 3, 2013 2:47 PM

I am helping a non-profit veterans group, and they need a logo. A really simple logo. I am particularly clueless about all things commercial art, but did I hear somewhere about an online marketplace sort of like Etsy, where you can post a requirement, and artists from around the world can bid on the job? This would be a really simple drawing-- basically a wildcat wearing a communications helmet. Uncomplicated line art, black and white that could be used on posters and business cards. I have almost no budget for this, so I'm hoping there is a way to connect with an artist who is just starting out or something. Any recommendations for how to proceed? Thanks for all of your advice, and, although I hate this phrase, please consider me to be the proverbial four-year-old for this subject.
posted by seasparrow to Media & Arts (10 answers total)

99designs?
posted by mochapickle at 2:56 PM on December 3, 2013

99designs has a service for non-profits, if you don't have a budget.

Disclaimer: I work for one of 99designs's sister companies
posted by third word on a random page at 3:00 PM on December 3, 2013

Or even MeFi Jobs? There are a lot of talented folks here...
posted by Admiral Haddock at 3:00 PM on December 3, 2013 [5 favorites]

There are a couple marketplaces like this, 99 Designs is popular. Google around you'll probably find a coupon.
posted by radioamy at 3:01 PM on December 3, 2013

You might also look into Fiverr.
posted by Sara C. at 3:25 PM on December 3, 2013 [2 favorites]

I strongly encourage you to stay away from services like 99designs and instead try something like www.odesk.com where designers actually get paid for their work. Just be very clear about your budget upfront.

Websites like 99designs (there are several similar services out there) use this model:
- You post a job for a logo
- Dozens of designers spend their time making a logo
- You pick ONE person to actually employ for their work, which is already completed.

Businesses like that devalue the talent and labor of designers, even for simple projects, which still take some time to seek out, conceive, create, edit, and upload.
posted by daisies at 3:46 PM on December 3, 2013 [15 favorites]

Seconding Fiverr - for $5 I was very impressed with getting something that was exactly what I wanted.
posted by scooterdog at 5:02 PM on December 3, 2013

The other nice thing about fiverr is that, unlike what daisies describes, you contract directly with the artist who's going to do your design. They set their own prices and turnaround time.
posted by Sara C. at 5:07 PM on December 3, 2013

I'd also put in a plug for idealist.org to advertise for any skilled volunteer you're looking for, especially for something like this that could be done remotely. You can post a volunteer need there, but you can also browse your local area for people who are willing to volunteer who have posted their skill sets.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 5:19 PM on December 3, 2013

We recently went to our local high school's graphic arts class and asked if they wanted to design a logo for a new non profit. They were thrilled and produced a quality logo for which we donated $100 to the class!
posted by HuronBob at 5:41 PM on December 3, 2013 [1 favorite]