Is it the right time for a tight timeline?

And that particular set of skills includes creating a gorgeous logo suite on a tight timeline. During the holiday season. While our client was still organizing their group.

Yeah, we're that good. 😊

Most of our clients are looking to define their brand more fully. They want to understand their audiences, how to best communicate with them, how to stand out in a crowded field.

The most important requirement for moving quickly on a logo is to be a food-based business willing to give us some gift cards. We're very food motivated. Just kidding. Mostly.

Seriously though, here are a few baseline requirements that need to be in place in order for us (or any good designer) to produce a solid logo.

1. Leave room for the process.

WITF knew what they didn't want but were not as sure about what they did want. They also had to get input from their group members. That's why even with a tight timeline, we made room for a moodboard review. This gave them a chance to see what colors, fonts, and logo style they wanted us to pursue. Without that information from WITF, we would have just been throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. Not the most efficient way to create a logo, and it makes a mess. 

2. Trust your designer.

You have to go into this process trusting your designer. Without trust and clear communication, you will be unsure about the process and the outcome. Even with a short amount of time, a good designer will keep you in the loop every step of the way. 

3. Stay connected.

Speaking of good communication, if you are too busy to give your input to drafts and other updates, that will delay the process. If you need something quickly, be ready to respond to your designer quickly. If the timeline changes, let them know as soon as possible. 

4. Have a strong point of view

Even if you do not know exactly what you want, you should be able to articulate or show examples of the style or vibe you want. Having 3-5 key words to describe the feeling you want is very helpful. For example, WITF asked for something that represented getting dirty, working hard, "a little feminine grit". If you cannot articulate a few key words or phrases, you may need to do a little more work jumping into a logo design. 

5. Temper expectations.

Even if you meet all the criteria above, you still may not get a fully thought-out brand. A traditional branding process can take weeks - or even months - of research before logo sketching even begins. If you are getting a logo in less than a month, while it can be gorgeous and represent you well, you may have to do more work to build a full, solid brand. 

While most designers prefer having more time to create a logo and a brand, we get it. Sometimes life happens, good luck strikes, the stars align, and you just need a logo now! With these tips and requirements in place, you should still be able to get a logo everyone will be thrilled to show off.