identity system - how much to charge?

[john e. rocket]

How much d oyou charge to build an identity system?
To what extent does that cover? ie. business card, letterhead, envelope what?
Breakdown how you decided on the pricing?

Anymore info. would also be mucho appreciated

thanks

[phoenix]

I couldn't tell you what we charge, and it wouldn't be valid for you anyway (geographic differences etc).

But, our standard ID package would include:

- logos (EPS, JPG, PNG, web favicon)
- stationery for print (letterhead, with comps, business cards, DL envelope)
- stationery templates (Word & Powerpoint template)
- corporate ID usage guidelines PDF

if we've already been doing other collateral then I include that in the ID PDF as samples (eg adverts, newsletter template, web layout, signage).

I've also got a standard blurb I incorporate into the ID PDF regarding 'good PowerPoint techniques' etc, along the lines of fonts to use, number of points per page etc.

[M]

at least a couple thousand

M

oops, i mean a least a couple thousand for just a stationery system
a logo can be anywhere from a couple thousand to twelve thousand
corporate usage guidelines would be another fee as well depending on the depth and complexity of it

i musta been sleeping the first time i read this

[creativepublic]

I charge the following for logos and logo packages:

1. Logo design only (4 to 6 samples to choose from)

Total = $1,200
(10 hours - 3 sets of revisions. Over 10 hours client is billed by the hour at $75 per hour)

2. Logo package includes:
- Business card design (provide two samples too choose from)
- Letterhead design (provide two samples too choose from)
- Envelope design (provide two samples too choose from)
- Logo desing (4 to 6 samples to choose from)

Total = $2,000
(20 hours - 3 sets of revisions. Over 10 hours client is billed by the hour at $75 per hour)

50% deposit required on all projects with remainder due upon completion

You can find more about pricing for your projects here:
Pricing Your Projects - Hourly Rate

What's your time worth? Putting a value on your design skills

CreativePublic.com Products

[M]

correction made to initial post

M

[eyedesign]

ORIGINAL: creativepublic

I charge the following for logos and logo packages:

1. Logo design only (4 to 6 samples to choose from)

Total = $1,200
(10 hours - 3 sets of revisions. Over 10 hours client is billed by the hour at $75 per hour)

2. Logo package includes:
- Business card design (provide two samples too choose from)
- Letterhead design (provide two samples too choose from)
- Envelope design (provide two samples too choose from)
- Logo desing (4 to 6 samples to choose from)

Total = $2,000
(20 hours - 3 sets of revisions. Over 10 hours client is billed by the hour at $75 per hour)

Wow, 10 hours to design a logo; 20 hours for an entire identity suite??

You must be the fastest, most intuitive, on-point graphic designer on the planet.

I guess I'm just a slowpoke, because I have easily spent 10 hours alone just researching and getting to know companies I've designed for, and another 8–10 hours just doing thumbnails.

Props to you for being able to crank out masterpieces in such little time!

[mtnspice]

kinda snotty response, eyedesign?

I actually think that's a pretty good estimate for a small company, such as an electrician. I doubt you would spend 10 hours just researching and getting to know a small business such as that.

[scottperezfox]

I've heard that an identity should be connected to the client's total revenue. I've heard 1% floated as a formula, that is, a company should expect to pay 1% of their annual gross on a new identity system. So for a successful local restaurant that pulls down $1 million per year, they should be prepared to shell out $10,000 for the project.

Of course the scale of the project affects the cost. If it's a work-from-home operation that really doesn't need anything but a business card, it will be cheaper. And if the client is on a budget, offer them a "one concept only" fee. No revisions, no alternate concepts, but at a low cost.

[eyedesign]

ORIGINAL: mtnspice

kinda snotty response, eyedesign?

I actually think that's a pretty good estimate for a small company, such as an electrician. I doubt you would spend 10 hours just researching and getting to know a small business such as that.

And that's why there are so many crappy logos out there for electricians, contractors, towing companies, etc.
Seriously, when was the last time you looked at a logo on the side of a work van and thought, "Wow, now that's creative"?
Just because it's a small company, doesn't mean that designers shouldn't put forth a decent amount of effort to create an effective identity system.
Sure, you're not going to invest weeks doing research and do hundreds of thumbnails like you would for a high profile client, but IMO, 10 hours, soup-to-nuts, is not enough time to create an effective identity system, regardless of who it's for.

Maybe that's just me; maybe I take too much pride in my work, and I care about my clients too much.

*shrug*

I do agree with his prices, though.
Those seem about right for a small company.
But ONLY 10 hours worth of work, and then billing the company $75/hr over 10 hours?
That seems a bit harsh to me.

[lauren3g]

ORIGINAL: eyedesign
Seriously, when was the last time you looked at a logo on the side of a work van and thought, "Wow, now that's creative"?

I thought this was pretty good: Bounce Logistics