We all need a good logo. Dont we?

[ToOntown]

You should start mixing as much as you possibly can until you're 18, then start worrying about logos when you are old enough to work in clubs. You don't need anything but skill right now.

[tokenasianguy]

Gotta disagree with you about the need of a logo, I believe artists nowadays need to brand themself more. Writing from my phone so I'm not gonna write too long. Anyway, get a simple logo, remember "less is more". Use your logo at posters, merch if u ever make some, social media, EP's if ur a producer etc.

You can disagree, but unless you have a more compelling reason than "artists need to brand themselves more" (which isn't really justifying it), you're just succumbing to the same trap as everyone else that you "need" to have it for no other reason than to "look professional".

Consider how much "looks", or "image" matter in the DJ scene. It's almost irrelevant, and the DJ's that have tried to create some "image" or "unique brand" by wearing a strange suit on stage, having a ridiculous outfit, or even DJ'ing topless like DJ Diva, haven't lasted. There's always the exception like Daft Punk, who always appear in interviews and videos wearing helmet's, but then it's the whole Chicken vs. Egg argument. What were they known for first, their music or their outfits? Since music is released on the radio before music video television, my guess is that it was the music.

I'm not saying it's totally pointless for all performing artists, because if you're someone like Madonna, paying even $5,000 for a logo is a drop in the bucket of her overall wealth. Heck, even for a DJ pulling in $10K+ annually spending $300 for a logo isn't a big deal...But I tend to be a bit pragmatic, and look at it as a business. For me even spending $50 or a minute of time on something that isn't going to net me some quantifiable return, is a minute or a dollar too much...Especially when you can spend that money or time on more important things that'll actually help you gain more traction and visibility, and possibly for free.

No business has ever thrived by just putting money into things "because it looked professional". Every successful business out there is operated by collecting the data, and quantifying it in some tangible means, whether every action is going to create the "desired effect". And there's a lot of data out there that shows why some businesses can benefit from a logo and why some can't. The fact that logos are extremely few and far between among all DJ's and and performing artists serves as a good base for comparison, especially when you compare it to consumer packaged goods, where no product exists without a logo. Sometimes it pays to stand out, but you have to ask yourself why, and come up with some reasoning other than to just standing out itself. You should be able to justify whether creating a logo is going to eventually lead someone to the desired effect, which is to get gigs.

[Sn0wday]

The amount of pretentious producers on sound cloud with their own cliche over-shopped logo..

[MYE]

Just go into power point and make one thats what i did

[elliot1106]

You're a producer, fancy posting up some of your stuff?

Anyone else realise how every DJ is also a producer these days, it might sound like I'm being cynical but half of the local DJs in my area are producer with no original tracks and no remixes. hmm, seems legit.

[MYE]

You're a producer, fancy posting up some of your stuff?

Anyone else realise how every DJ is also a producer these days, it might sound like I'm being cynical but half of the local DJs in my area are producer with no original tracks and no remixes. hmm, seems legit.

exactly the same thing happens in my area man

[sobi]

Consider how much "looks", or "image" matter in the DJ scene.

They don't. They matter in ALL aspects of entertainment and in business. While it's not the most important thing, branding does play a role. People always mention skill when talking about DJing, but no one ever mentions one of the most important parts, which is presentation. Basically, the fundamentals of why logos, branding, and how you sell yourself are the same reasons why billing on a flyer matters. It's part of the illusion. When you sell yourself as something larger than life, future fans buy it, and perpetuate that myth to their friends. Being successful as a performer is X parts talent, X parts presentation, X parts personality, and X parts of that special "it" which no one can fully explain... that "X-factor" if you will. Either way, it's a waste of peoples time if you've got no talent, and that is the biggest part that should be there, but marketing is a huge help too.

[tokenasianguy]

They don't. They matter in ALL aspects of entertainment and in business. While it's not the most important thing, branding does play a role. People always mention skill when talking about DJing, but no one ever mentions one of the most important parts, which is presentation. Basically, the fundamentals of why logos, branding, and how you sell yourself are the same reasons why billing on a flyer matters. It's part of the illusion. When you sell yourself as something larger than life, future fans buy it, and perpetuate that myth to their friends. Being successful as a performer is X parts talent, X parts presentation, X parts personality, and X parts of that special "it" which no one can fully explain... that "X-factor" if you will. Either way, it's a waste of peoples time if you've got no talent, and that is the biggest part that should be there, but marketing is a huge help too.

That's a good point...But how much time/money would you be willing to spend on the aforementioned "X-factor"? I think that's the important thing to consider.

I'm not totally against logo's, even where it might not be considered "essential", I just think that the time/money should fit the "scale" of the business. It seems like the OP isn't quite a "working DJ" yet, so it sounds like his budget is minimal, to none. I was just hoping to offer some insight in having someone do it for free...Because even "free" it should align with his brand and done properly.

[3heads]

They don't. They matter in ALL aspects of entertainment and in business. While it's not the most important thing, branding does play a role. People always mention skill when talking about DJing, but no one ever mentions one of the most important parts, which is presentation. Basically, the fundamentals of why logos, branding, and how you sell yourself are the same reasons why billing on a flyer matters. It's part of the illusion. When you sell yourself as something larger than life, future fans buy it, and perpetuate that myth to their friends. Being successful as a performer is X parts talent, X parts presentation, X parts personality, and X parts of that special "it" which no one can fully explain... that "X-factor" if you will. Either way, it's a waste of peoples time if you've got no talent, and that is the biggest part that should be there, but marketing is a huge help too.

I agree with you, that "looks" and "image" do matter a good bit. I'm not sure classical marketing is the way to go about this (as the important part is clearly networking with promoters not marketing yourself to your future fans) and if it is, it's probably for your booking agency to worry about not for yourself. And I'm completely certain that a logo is the wrong way - I personally can not think of a single DJ with a logo. And it makes sense: in which context would a DJ use a logo? On a flyer? The graphics design dude in charge of creating the flyer is gonna kick your ass for that (or at least he will want to). If you run a label - definitely get a logo, if you organize parties and have a promoter crew - by all means get one if you like, but as a DJ - skip the logo part. Srsly.

Actually, even disregard the DJ thing altogether: how many individuals can you think of that employ a logo of their own? I can't think of any either (apart from Batman, Superman and a bunch of other super heroes - for whom the usage of a logo makes sense for a different reason). Logos are mainly used to demonstrate affiliation of individual elements (be it persons, items, stores, events, ...) to a larger brand. Well, in the case of being a DJ: you (as an individual) and your brand (i.e. your DJ monicker) are already clearly connected by common sense alone. There's just no reason to show your affiliation to yourself by using a logo.

[The Mighty FV]

Nope, a logo is pretty much the least important thing for a DJing career.

Bullshit - go and check the DJ Mag top 100; every single act on there has a logo which is used across every form of media.

Go and check every contract for said performers - logo and use of the logo is outlined very clearly throughout the agreement - an artists logo is important but only when you reach a certain level of pull/show.