LogoLounge.com alternative?

[PeterA]

The place of www.logolounge.com (http://www.logolounge.com) may be a good idea, but since there's no way to try before buy and I'm not in mood of spending $100 for something I'm not sure about. I was just about to ask you, pros, is there an alternative? I was "googling" but without any results...

[Ned]

Peter: Have you looked at the portfolios of the designer(s) you are interested in? Do you like their style, and do you think their work looks good? If so, then why would you think that they would turn out something you don't like, just for you? You don't need to be an artist or designer to know what you like. Designers don't just give you a design and tell you to "take it or leave it". We will work with you through the process of creating your logo. We will give you a few sketches or ideas to look at, and allow you a couple revisions if you don't like this part or that.

Don't worry, you won't get ripped off or left in the dust. It is our job to provide you a peice of communication, in this case an identity which you can take with you everywhere you go in business. We don't take that job lightly. But we DO expect to be paid for what we do, and we don't work on "speculation" of getting paid. A logo is a lot of work and research, and is not something that we can just hand over to you to "try out and see if you like it".

If you don't want to go with one of the designers on LogoLounge, you can also post a Request for Proposals in the Classifieds section on this forum. There are many talented designers here who work as Independent Designers or will accept work for their studio.

Good luck... You may contact me (http://mediamainline.com/contact.htm) with any further questions.

[PeterA]

Thank you for your reply. I see I should have been more specific. In fact, I'm not looking for a logo, nor designer since I'm designer, too. I agree with everything you wrote here.
My problem is that I want to design good and "original" stuff and this requires doing kind of an overview and research before I start design eg. logotype for a specific client. And LogoLounge with its source and search engine is really good idea and can be helpful avoiding doing "copies", rip-off and/or similar designs. This is the only reason I would use LogoLounge... Or similar service... Just for searching...

[mac.FINN]

Get yourself some design books. I have a few that I flip through over and over when I have to do a logo/stationery. A great reference book for getting ideas is Identity Solutions by Cullen & Schell. Just make sure that when you do this kind of research your looking to spur ideas, and that you're not just "ripping off" a design.

I've looked on the web and if you really want good reference material, nothing beats the library or bookstore.

[PeterA]

Uff, I'm not looking for references. I'm looking for free source of logotype previews (or gallery or whatever you may call it) so I can look for specific "theme" eg. "Star logotypes" so I can avoid doing something similar.
Let's say (hypothetically) I do a "star shaped" logo design. There're tons of "star logos" all around the world. LogoLounge seems to be great (only seems, because I cannot try it) with its search engine, so I can type in "star" and see many variations. Then I can avoid doing same (or very similar) graphics, understand?

[typographics]

why are you unsure about a logolounge membership? have you seen the books? its basically the same thing, but more of it...lots more. its worth the money if you do a lot of logo design.

[PeterA]

I'm just cautious of prepaid online memberships.
Anyway, looks like I will go for books and/or spend some more time finding other web resources...
Thank you all for contribution. :)

[Jeff Fisher LogoMotives]

LogoLounge is a great resource and very much worth the $100 investment. As "typographics" mentioned the LogoLounge books contain much of what you will find on the site. In addition, that fee allows you to upload your own logos to site to be considered for publication in future volumes of the books. The site is probably the best online reference you will find.

A few other online resources are:

http://www.dotcomlogotypes.com/

http://users.ncrvnet.nl/mstol/

http://www.goodlogo.com/

http://www.coolhomepages.com/cool-pages/web-design-pages/Logos/1.html

http://www.brandsoftheworld.com/

http://www.identityworks.com/

http://www.distinktive.co.uk/logoed/index2.html

http://www.cidoc.net/

Good luck! - J.

[PrintDriver]

http://www.uspto.gov/main/profiles/corporate.htm#marks