My experience working with professional designers to create my logo: Is it worth the investment?
Why I chose to work with a professional (and what I expected)
When I started my small business, I wore all the hats: customer service, marketing, web design, you name it. One thing I knew I couldn’t afford to get wrong was my logo. It was going to live on everything—from my website to my packaging to my invoices.
At first, I tried to create it myself. I played around with free logo tools, basic fonts, and generic icons. But something always felt off. It looked too DIY, too “template.” And while I believe in being resourceful, I wanted a logo that truly reflected my brand—not just filled a space on a web page.
That’s when I decided to hire a professional designer. It felt like a big step for a new entrepreneur on a tight budget, but I hoped the outcome would be worth it.
The process: What I learned at each stage
Finding the Right Designer
The search took longer than expected. I browsed design portfolios, reached out in entrepreneur forums, and even asked friends for recommendations. I quickly learned that prices vary a lot, and so does quality.
Eventually, I connected with a freelance designer whose style matched my vision—clean, modern, and thoughtful. We had a discovery call where I explained my brand, values, and what kind of impression I wanted to make.
Explaining My Brand (Even When I Wasn’t Sure How)
One of the first challenges? Describing my business identity clearly enough for someone else to visualize it. I hadn’t fully thought about things like tone, customer emotions, or brand personality. My designer asked all the right questions, and I realized I needed to define these aspects better—something that ended up helping my overall branding beyond just the logo.
Going Through Drafts and Revisions
The first few drafts were… okay. Not bad, but not quite “it.” I gave feedback, sometimes unsure if I was being too vague or too picky. But with each round, the designer refined the concept. They explained the reasoning behind font choices, symbol direction, and color pairings. That gave me confidence and helped me understand the design language.
One key takeaway here: professional designers don’t just create something pretty—they build why into the design. That alone made the process feel more valuable.
Balancing Vision and Budget
While the final logo looked great and felt aligned with my brand, I also had to face the financial side. The investment was larger than I’d planned, and it limited what else I could spend on during the launch phase.
Looking back, I probably would’ve spent less if I had first tested ideas with a AI logo maker—just to get clearer on my preferences. That way, I might have entered the process with stronger direction and saved time (and money) on revisions.
What I now recommend after going through It
You Don’t Have to Start with a Designer
If you’re early in your business journey or unsure what you want, a smart tool can help you explore. I’ve since used Turbologo for side projects, and it’s a great way to visualize different logo directions before hiring help—or even as a final solution if the result fits your needs.
Know Your Brand First
Professional designers aren’t mind-readers. The clearer you are about your business goals, audience, and brand tone, the better the outcome. Create a simple mood board or write down a few adjectives. It’ll help you and the designer stay aligned.
Be Ready to Give (and Receive) Feedback
The more open and collaborative you are, the better the process goes. Try to describe what you like or don’t like in practical terms—like “this font feels too sharp” or “this icon feels too playful for my niche.”
Time Matters as Much as Money
Custom design takes time. If you’re launching next week, you may want to look at quicker alternatives. But if you have the runway and the budget, working with a designer can be a rich, rewarding experience.
So… was it worth it?
Yes—and no.
Yes, because I ended up with a logo I love and a deeper understanding of my brand identity. The process gave me a foundation that helped me design my website, choose packaging colors, and present my business more confidently.
But no, in the sense that it might not be the best first step for everyone. If I could do it again, I’d probably start with a logo generator to explore ideas and narrow down my style preferences. That would’ve saved both time and budget.
In the end, it’s all about where you are in your journey. Whether you go DIY, use a tool, or hire a professional, the most important thing is that your logo reflects you. Because that’s what people connect with—and that’s what makes your business memorable.
