Re: Grooveshark logo - it is a design process documented alright, but the logo itself was designed by someone else and then cleaned up by David Pache of Helvetic Brands. Nowhere does he mention this though, which really rubs me the wrong way. Especially considering how he presents the design process, as if the final logo was a natural evolution of his own sketches.
Also, it's worth noting that the design process illustrations are commonly put together after the logo is done and they are meant to be promo pieces, so they do not accurately reflect the actual logo creation process, but rather an idealization of thereof. The actual process is far more hectic and zig-zag'ing towards the target than these illustrations depict it to be.
This is great - I love the logos and I love reading about the creative process from end to end. What do you think the price range is for the logos presented here?
Real Graphic Design isn't cheap. Identity design from a SF studio can run you into the thousands. $10k, easily. (If you're a big corporation, add one or two orders of magnitude to the bill.)
Now of course you can find stock and spec work on sites like 99designs—but that isn't real design. Rather, I consider it an affront to the profession. It will give you the same quality of work that outsourcing development to indian or russian kids for $5 an hour would get you.
EDIT: I wonder why I'm being downvoted for this. I know it's unpopular to elevate design, but it makes a huge difference. And after spending 4+ years of our life and $200k at design school to master the craft, I think designer's true worth and skill deserve some recognition.
It's probably in part because you assume $200k and four years will make you a "master." That load of arrogance in turn makes it hard to accept the rest of your points. Some Russian/Indian kids are better that those with expensive CS degrees. This forum is about sparking useful discussion. Claiming that there is One True Way to design is overly self promoting.
There are two types of design: you are talking about the one with the big 'D'.
I think spec work such as 99designs is perfectly fine if you are looking for someone to create something pretty. Just like in programming there are some things that are trivial and are easily outsourced. A plain website with static HTML and maybe a contact form? Simple.
But once you start talking about big 'D' design then you have something else all together.
You are wrong. Very wrong. You just come across as trying to raise the value of web designers. I don't think its worth that much to most people and never will be.
Consider Apple product design from beginning to end and how dramatically it has impacted humanity at least 5 separate times. Apple //, Macintosh, iMac, iPod, iPhone.
Design matters. And this applies to the Web, of course, too, just like almost anything else.
On average it is anywhere between $500 and $1500 for the quality stuff that comes with a great concept and great execution and that is result of an iterative refinement process between the designer and the customer.
http://logopond.com/gallery/detail/6499 - Jan '07
http://logopond.com/gallery/detail/41685 - Oct '08
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Also, it's worth noting that the design process illustrations are commonly put together after the logo is done and they are meant to be promo pieces, so they do not accurately reflect the actual logo creation process, but rather an idealization of thereof. The actual process is far more hectic and zig-zag'ing towards the target than these illustrations depict it to be.