What’s a 10-minute logo, you ask? Great question! It may not actually take 10-minutes, but it’s basically just a logo designed without any strategy behind it, without any research or sketching, without hundreds of tweaks and revisions, without refining the letter spacing and type treatment.
Who the 10-minute logo is good for:
If you’re just starting out, the 10-minute logo might be all you need. It’s perfect if you’re unsure what direction you want to take your business in. Your sweet idea could completely transform over the next year, reaching a different audience than expected and offering products & services you hadn’t thought through yet. If that’s you, the 10-minute logo will suit you just fine until you’re ready for complete brand clarity to take your business to the next level.
Please note, there’s a difference between a 10-minute logo from a professional designer and a 10-minute logo from your neighbor’s nerdy nephew who happens to own Photoshop. Remember, you get what you pay for!
These logos are my favorite, and usually created as a part of a whole brand package. For these, I thoroughly research your market, ideal clients, and competition. I dig into the heart of your business and values to apply color theory and design psychology. I carefully select the fonts and perfectly space out every letter. I create dozens of variations and options, most of which I’ll scrap before the drafts even hit your inbox.
Who the 10-hour logo is good for:
The 10-hour logo might be for you if:
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You have a solid business idea and know your ideal clients (even if it’s a startup)
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You’ve been getting by with a 10-minute logo and are ready for a more custom design
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Your business has shifted direction or expanded beyond what your current brand represents
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You’re ready for the utmost professional brand to take your business to the next level
While the logo itself may take 10 hours to think up, design and perfect, it’s usually accommodated by an entire brand suite. Creating print collateral, a website and social media graphics — all built with intention and thoroughly researched — can take weeks to months. But the process is worth the time in order to get a brand packed with meaning and designed with professionalism. This is how you reach your ideal clients and create a brand that will grow with you!
I’d like to share a few case studies of my own work to show the difference between a 10-minute logo and a 10-hour logo.
Honey & Grace
My former personal blog, Honey & Grace, is aimed to help busy-bee Christian women stay grounded in their faith while building their businesses. I wanted the logo to reference Christianity, while also representing something bee-ish. My initial logo used two Christian fish symbols to form a bee. I placed it in a hexagon, and my 10-minute logo was done (ok, maybe a 1-hour logo since I’d been sketching in my notebook awhile beforehand). The mark somewhat resembles the AirBnB logo and just doesn’t look too special.
