Should I use Fiverr for Logo Design?

No, no, no. That’s not a disruptor, it’s just one of my favorite running graphic design jokes of all time. You ask me for any of these and as a designer will give you a side-eye.

All jokes aside, what is a Disruptor? Can it be a good thing?

Have you ever used Uber or AirBnB?

When I first heard about disruptors Uber came to my mind. They took an old outdated model of Taxicabs and changed the way we look at them. And now my Grandma (who’s 83) uses them to go to the doctor and back, she would have never stepped foot in a taxi (too expensive, and we don’t live in New York City!). No longer do we have to pick her up and sit at the doctor anymore.

And then AirBnB, who has turned the hotel industry on hits head. I was ecstatic to find a cute little flat in London for our honeymoon trip in April 2020. AirBnB made it so simple to find a place that wasn’t a hotel, but who would have guessed a world-wide pandemic would sweep the globe. Having to deal with individual hosts and non-refundable bookings—and a company that hasn’t had to deal with the magnitude of customer service as hotel chains do. And don’t even ask me about the airline tickets!

Generally, Disruptors can be a good thing for the consumer. Faster, easier, and cheaper…who wouldn’t like that? But what about your business?

The first time I came across a disruptor was finding out about Fiverr. And subsequently other companies like Elance which is now called Upwork. These companies’ goal is to connect you to creative folks. Need a logo, post a job on Fiveer. Need a new ebook on “any topic”…request samples on Upwork. These companies are freelancing on steroids.

Their disruptive goals are to connect you with creative professionals. All while taking a slice of the pie, and forcing designers, writers, and other professionals to compete in the race-to-the-bottom ($).

Now, these platforms are full of “professionals’ from India, Malaysia, Nigeria, and other countries who, are farming their slave-like labor to turn a profit. Yes, they employ workers living overseas who are being paid in U.S. Dollars. It’s now a global digital-labor force of over 48 million people.

What you get by ordering a logo online.

First, your logo design won’t be unique. Second, it will not represent your local market. And third, more than likely you will never be able to contact the same designer again if you have any changes. You get what you pay for.

My guess is you may not have a ton of marketing dollars to spend. Well, this is where it gets tricky.

The majority of Fiverr “designers” are utilizing template packs, clipart, and pre-made and even stolen work. And trust me, neither Fiverr nor its sellers will tell you this. And Fiver actively neglects to moderate its users admitting it in their own site’s terms and conditions: “Fiverr does not check user uploaded/created content for violations of copyright or other rights”

Design is a very intimate process. We collaborate with our clients and many projects turn into long-term professional connections…even friendships. Or in my case a marriage. Everything I do in my client-designer foundation is based upon meaningful communication. And there is a reason that successful design practices haven’t changed a great deal with these disruptors. Automation can’t truly threaten an industry that requires a human element.

What you get by working with a professional in Spokane.

Questions, and lots of them! See if you can answer some of these:

• What differentiates your brand?
• Production meetings should be virtual whenever feasible.
• What is your unique positioning vis a vis your competitors?
• What is your product?
• Who is it being targeted too?

Designer looking at your competition will ask:

• What are you doing differently than them?
• What is working for them?
• Not working for them?
• How does your brand fit into this competitive environment?

At this point, we have a solid understanding of the variables we can begin the creative process. We can tap our years of understanding of semiotics, pop culture, trends, color theory, aesthetics, and visual history. All while working in collaboration on your logo design with you, our client.

It’s this human element that Fiverr has been trying to remove. Making logo design more automated like an Etsy Marketplace. In the end, what they are trying to do is hope their customers are oblivious about design and won’t realize that they are not working with professionals.

If you care about what you’re doing then invest in design as you would any other aspect of your business. You’ll reap the benefits. Skimp and you’ll see no return of value and run the risk of damaging your business — likely irreparably. Whatever path you chose, just remember when someone uses Fiverr the only winner is Fiverr.