Designer Area | Logo Design Dot Net | Benefits to logo designers

Most of the ideas and goals of the LogoDesign.net site were formulated over many cups of coffee, (usually at the local Starbucks) as we tried to build a web site that addressed the needs of logo designers and small graphic design firms who are 'in the trenches'. Our notes, scribbles and WTF moments were many. However, over those months, we believe that we managed to cobble together the framework of what could be a pretty cool web site. There's no reason to believe we got it 100% right the first time. But here's what we have so far.

Why LDN?

Why Logo Design Dot Net? If you're a graphic designer, especially one that specializes in logos, you might find it difficult to market your services on the web, despite your superior skills. The search engines are cluttered with logo design websites, and ranking in search engine results can be a daunting task. Established logo design firms have already dominated the results (the top ten results in Google feature sites that are owned by five companies). Logo Design Dot Net levels the playing field somewhat and can help you market your skills via our network listings or directory. If you wish to work with clients looking for logos, LDN can help - our website puts clients and designers together without having to resort to 'crowdsourcing' or 'logo design contests' neither of which are condusive to effective design for the client, or beneficial to the design industry as a whole. Unlike contest sites, we don't take a come-one, come-all approach, but only work with designers who can demonstrate significant design skills and talent, especially in the logo department.

Promotion of designers and firms specializing in logos

One of the main aspects of the LogoDesign.net site will be promotion of Network members, denizens of our forums, and article contributors. Any designer or firm worth their sand has a web site or blog, and these are excellent ways of promoting their services. Unfortunately, many of these sites cannot be found due to engine dominance of design sites that are often using questionable SEO tactics and/or multiple sites. LDN will assist Network members with page-rank promotion through various aspects of the site. The static portion of the site will feature a network of design sites and freelance designers. As this site also has a very important client portion, potential buyers of your services will also be able to find your site. Established forum members will be permitted to use their URLs in post signatures. Article and Feature Contributors will be granted a ‘LDN rap sheet page’ featuring a brief bio, design specialties as well as examples of their work, organized by a contributor directory. As our forums have a fully functional e-mail and private messaging system, people reading your stats can see your work, contact you via LogoDesign.net and you don't have to worry about spambots picking up your e-mail address. Your rap sheet page will also feature links to your web sites so that would-be clients can visit you directly as well.

LogoDesign.net will feature a network of design sites, blogs, podcasts and other forums. The purpose of this site to share links to information and resources, NOT become the sole resource.

LogoDesign.net forums will be moderated, mods will not permit spammers, posts for ‘spec work ’ or logo design contests (unless part of a recognized design organization where the purpose of the contest is inclusion in promotional material that is beneficial to the designer. And if that's the case, feel free to place the contest deadline, link and information in our Forum Calendar).

LogoDesign.net is a design site for ALL levels of designers. To that end, we will feature several galleries with different purposes – exhibition only and for professional critique. These galleries will be moderated, so that junior level designers will NOT be flamed, or piled on by more seasoned veterans. If, on the other hand, people want their work to be subjected to no-holds-barred criticism from professionals, a forum will be available for that also.

The LogoDesign.net Forums will be a moderated site. While we are not advocates of censorship, sometimes forum users tend to forget the basic rules of civility, etc. Over the top flames will not be tolerated, and we will have an alert function (should members feel that one particular poster is becoming anti-social). You can read about the LogoDesign.net forum rules.

The LogoDesign.net Forums will feature a ‘PRIVATE’ forum area for certain members who have passed some form of qualification (either post count or by invite). Registered forum members will be able to discuss design issues, projects and clients without the risk if these conversations being read by the public, or picked up by search engine spiders like Google. In order to keep design gigs within ‘the family’ The LDN forum will also feature a ‘jobs and gigs’ area – designers can sub out tasks to designers who they know are qualified, reliable and trust-worthy. As this gigs area will be in a PRIVATE area, and all members are pre-screened, we won’t have to deal with the usual ‘drive-by’ job postings (“design my logo for free and if I like it, I'll pay you”) by forum spammers.

As the members of the board will probably want to communicate with each other (especially as if relates to gigs and jobs), the LogoDesign.net Forums features a private messaging system. Many members may opt to allow other members contact them through AIM, so this interactivity will be required as well.

We want honest debate. We also don’t want any revisionist history taking place, especially in the more heated discussions. Accordingly, we will place an ‘edit window’ on posts. Simply put, members will not be able to go back to a nasty post they made months ago and edit it out. Rather, if they’ve had a change of heart, best to state that change of heart (and perhaps explain why). This also serves the function of making sure members think before they post. Better to rephrase something (and make it relatively civil) than post a flame that will stay forever. If you wish to edit a post after the window, you can still request an admin to do it – but they will be instructed not to do so, unless there’s a very strong case why they should.

The LogoDesign.net Network will feature all manner of design sites. Unlike many reciprocal linking programs, the LDN Network only feature sites that are logo design specialists, of a certain professional level. We’re not interested in ‘the more the merrier’ kind of network. We only want qualified, appropriate freelance designers and graphic design firms. Link relevance is an increasingly important part of web sites, blogs and SEO promotion – we want to help designer sites get better PR – especially those who may not be able to gain rank, or cannot afford pay-for-click advertising.

LogoDesign.net will feature real ‘in-the-trenches’ design resources, features and columns. Real world stuff. Questions and Answers will be restricted to “how do I do ‘A’” and the appropriate advice.

Tips and technical.

We've assembled a series of articles and features aimed at the designer, especially those specializing in (or wanting to specialize in) logo development. Everything you'll need to know - from file format setup, to what you'll need to be a great logo designer, to business card and letterhead design tips.

Frequently asked questions.

Series of FAQ that designers ask. Why Logo Design Dot Net, how it's beneficial to the freelancer designer and/or design firm specializing in logos, how it all works and why we developed LDN in the first place.

Design Community.

Logo Design Dot New also features a robust design community & forum. Discuss design issues, swap tips and techniques, or just hang out by the water cooler. Registration is open to anyone - you don't have to be a member of the LDN network (there are several private areas that are for Network members only).

Promote yourself in the upcoming Logopalooza 3.

Logopalooza 1 & 2 were free e-books created by our parent company The Logo Factory (Logopalooza 2 is currently available as a free download). We're currently working on Logopalooza 3 which will be 'debranded' and open to submissions from designers and graphic design firms featured in the LDN Network. Your selected logos will be featured with your name, website and contact information. The original Logopalooza was a big hit with art directors, designers and potential clients and was downloaded almost 40,000 times during it's run. Logopalooza 2 is shaping up to be even bigger. To find out how Logopalooza 3 can help you promote your design practise, see here for more information.

Want to join our team?

Serious about logo design? Able to exhibit, via your portfolio, consistently creative, original and dynamic logos? If so, joining the Logo Design Network may be for you. Our website features two ways that you can work with us - as a registered designer providing clients with top-notch design, either as part of a logo package, or as a Quick Pitch design project. or, if you run a design firm speclalizing in logos, or a freelance graphic designer with an appropriately creative website, you can be featured as part of our Logo Design Network - advertise your services to potential clients from around the globe. Want to learn more? Contact our studio via our web-based form, or call our offices at 905.564.6747 and talk with Tasha Young or Steve Douglas

Logo Design Dot Net is a production of The Logo Factory®.
Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved.
Artwork and logos presented on this site are the property, copyright and/or trademark of the respective parties. Used by permission.

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