http://www.arteis.net/designer/how-it-works.html

It’s a bit more complex than I thought, but looks like the max amount if a designer is highly rated and the client happens to choose 2 revisions, is $200.

I was wrong on LogoWorks’ scheme, they pay (I believe) $25 for submission of a concept for a client, and then an additional amount ($50-70) if you win the project, which varies upon your level of rating within their system (based on project wins and votes by fellow designers). So, it’s not exactly “spec” but it’s getting close.

Interesting interview by Von Glitska, a designer, with an anonymous designer who works for LogoWorks:

http://www.howdesign.com/forum/messages.asp?topicID=302464

I don’t understnand why LogoWorks pay $40 or so to their designers, since they charge $300 - $600 (new prices) for a single logo. I guess it leaves a better margin for profit :)

Jon, Mike et al. I initially thought that different logos would be a good thing. I understand I may be wrong again, so I will try to research this a bit more before going forth with a new design.

Ex

Here’s my perspective as a designer on the RapidSignal logo:

1. There seems to be an over-abundant use of dots in the logo. I think for the logomark itself the dots used are reasonable, however the dots for both “i” characters seems to dilute the effect. However, one issue with the dot look is, it doesn’t correspond to the curves you have in place on the MagnaCRM logo. This leads into point 2…

2. There seems to be a pretty significant overall difference in appearance compared to the MagnaCRM logo. This includes color, which seems more yellow-orange than the MagnaCRM orange, and I am unsure of the use of gray and black is consistent. The font face and initial caps differences (MagnaCRM is all lower cased) also make the two feel much different. Finally, the RapidSignal font used is a variant of Helvetica/Arial (medium expanded) while the MagnaCRM logo is much more of a squared font. I think a consistent use of font face here would help greatly.

I think the integration and consistency of the two logos are important, as this shows broader thought about your overall identity, and can work to maintain the idea of both RapidSignal and MagnaCRM whenever either mark is being viewed — they support each other in their brand consistency.

Hopefully my commentary is helpful on the road toward your final logomark. :-)

As for LogoWorks, It’s unfortunate that LogoWorks seems to be having problems with unethical work being done by some of its designers. I suppose at $40 per logo, a designer has to either work very fast, work very cheap or find other ways to get logos out for minimal time investment.

When you factor in that $40 is only guaranteed if you get the project, LogoWorks has a pretty good thing going. They charge many times what they pay a designer for a chosen logo, and nothing to those who don’t win (I believe that’s the model as I understood it, though I could be wrong here).

Hopefully the shaking out here and on the other fine blogs mentioned will help clean up the situation.

I am also going to commend you for rethinking this decision. Designers are very aware now of this problem and will be watching them carefully for stolen designs.

I don’t believe all of their designs are stolen, but there are enough examples now of clear violations that go beyond an “inspired by” explaination that I would be very leary of using any of their logos.

I know there are ethical designers in all price ranges that can be found to suit your needs.

I like your MagnaCRM logo.

I agree with the comments that your company logo is cluttered. I also believe that the differing color schemes between your logos is confusing to your overall company impression. I would try to pick a more complimentary color scheme for your new company logo that helps enhance or match your MagnaCRM logo.

Good Luck!