LEIA ESSE ARTIGO EM PORTUGUÊS
By the end of 2008, a friend of mine introduced me IncSpring. This is a project lead by Wes Winson, designer, who drives some conservative colleagues crazy when he says things like “say good-bye to the briefing”.
This website is a great idea for selling all that logos you have, and for which you have given your best and which the customer didn’t like because “it was too innovative” or “this blue reminds him the blue eyes his ex-wife has” (Wilson’s words). On one hand, the idea of giving the renegade a new chance is great , on the other, though, it’s being discussed as if these logos are on sale, any company or person could buy them and use them, with no previous research about customer’s needs. Then it eliminates the need of the famous briefing and also the deep researches the designer has made to create an exclusive logo, which fits to the company’s image and values.
As LogoBR likes to introduce you new tools, and having in mind the different opinions, we wanted more than merely talk about IncSpring and recommend you it. We looked for Mr. Wilson so he could talk about this project himself. And we could find him!
So… bellow you can read the interview LogoBR did with the IncSpring’s founder:
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First of all, we’d like to thank you for being so kind letting us interview you,Mr. Wilson. Is it the first time you talk about IncSpring to Brazilian media?
It is my first time talking to Brazilian media, thanks for the opportunity.
Who is Wes Wilson?
I’m not a traditional creative type. I have been in commercial banking for the past decade, helping start-ups get the financing needed to start their business. All the while I was doing some freelance graphic design work on the side. I’ve never been the best designer, but I always got a lot pleasure out of doing design work. Unfortunately, I needed banking to pay the bills.
At which point of this career have you found the opportunity to make a web site like IncSpring?
During my time doing freelance work, I realized there are thousands of people doing the exact same thing as me… and they were much better at it. I started to contact talented designers from several countries to see if there would be an interest for IncSpring and lucky for me, there was. Once we built the site and recruited a decent number of users I decided to leave banking and pursue IncSpring full time.
by Siah
Why “IncSpring”, and what does it mean?
We thought long and hard about our name, thanks for asking. IncSpring actually represents both our buyers and our sellers. For buyers, it’s a combination of Inc or Incorporated and Spring, meaning IncSpring helps you start your business faster. For sellers, Inc is a variation of Ink. In this case, IncSpring gives you a place to sell your ink or artwork.
Please briefly describe IncSpring to designers.
IncSpring gives you a place to express your creativity without restrictions and make some money in the process. I’ve found that most designers, like me, spend a lot of time creating fictitious brand identities without having to deal with a specific client. We give you a place to sell those designs to businesses that can make them successful. IncSpring is also a place where you can earn back some of your precious time. In a normal branding relationship, designers will create an average of 6 logo concepts for one client. Even if they are all executed flawlessly, only one will be used. IncSpring gives you a place to sell the rest of your concepts.
And to the companies.
For businesses, IncSpring provides hundreds of corporate branding identity packages, including logos, name and domains without having to spend thousands at an advertising agency. Some users are even using the site to sell websites, trademarks and collateral. More than the tangible items, however, IncSpring offers entrepreneurs a ton of start-up ideas and inspiration. I’ve heard from several people saying they spend hours just browsing through all of the logos waiting for the next big idea to show itself.
How has your web site been accepted by the users?
It’s been better than expected, both buyers and sellers have quickly realized the opportunities IncSpring brings. Still, we want to tell a lot more people about what we are doing.
by Siah
You said in IncSpring’s blog that branding is very expensive. Is it when the branding becomes too expensive to be afforded where IncSpring is an option?
Branding can be very expensive, depending on the size of your company and budget. If you are Pepsi, you can afford to spend $1 million dollars on a new logo. For everyone else, IncSpring is a great fit.
Everyday we have new designers, better qualified and prepared, technically and theoretical, which means better work at lower price. Couldn’t IncSpring lose its market share when it happens?
The reality is, the design industry is changing. You’re exactly right, designers are getting better, technology is getting more advanced and prices are getting cheaper. I don’t think that will take away from IncSpring, I think that will help us. Every time one of those talented designers create a successful logos for their client, they will also have unused concepts. Why wouldn’t they want to make some extra money on those concepts as well?
by Siah
One says that the company’s visual identity should be exclusive, sell exactly what the company wants it to, and be made based on deep researches about the company, from its very beginning to the targeted market. IncSpring just gets rid of it. How can you grant the brand’s efficiency? Isn’t it important anymore?
Of course it’s important, it’s the beginning of your identity. We are not arguing the fact that a traditional, custom branding relationship is ideal IF you have a competent designer, an honest client and open communication. If you are missing any one of those pieces, then the custom relationship fails. In the end, the client will always select what he/she likes best. That’s why designers often complain that the client selected the worst concept shown. IncSpring allows clients to bypass all of the hard work to find what they like best.
Facing this world’s financial crisis, are IncSpring businesses growing slower? Why?
No, actually the financial crisis is creating more start-ups. Unfortunately, people are losing their jobs at an astonishing rate and there are not any jobs they can fill. The economic slowdown is forcing people to go into business for themselves, which is why several publications are calling 2009 the year of the start-up.
Why should a designer become an IncSpring’s user?
Other than being a place where designers can sell their work, IncSpring gives them a place to find new customers, meet colleagues, network, and display a portfolio. It’s also a great source of design inspiration.
by Penflare
Why should a company choose IncSpring? What advantages has it?
IncSpring is a risk free style of branding for businesses. Our site gives companies a way to browse through hundreds of design portfolios without spending a dime. IncSpring provides start-up inspiration, creative names and award winning logo designs to buy and build your business on.
What is the normal profile of the companies that visit IncSpring?
We’re actually only a few months old, but we have had several sales to speak of. So far, our buyers have been small to medium sized businesses from all over the world. In one example, we had a entrepreneur looking to start a new real estate firm in France. He spent weeks trying to name his company before finding IncSpring. Once he found IncSpring, he bought a logo and domain package in one day allowing him to tackle the harder parts of starting his business.
How much does a logotype cost at IncSpring?
Prices are actually set by the designers themselves; however we have set a minimum price of $150. The minimum price is set for the designers, so they do not have to compete by selling cheap logos. To date, logos are selling for an average of $500 with the most expensive one selling for $2,000.
by Penflare
What are IncSpring’s plans for 2009?
We have several new features and opportunities coming to IncSpring in 2009. We just finished redesigning the site and adding a lot of new domain name features. We’ll be working on several ways to make the experience more enjoyable for buyers and sellers in the coming months, but I have to leave some to your imagination so I can’t say much more than that.
Is there any translation project going on (mainly to Portuguese)?
We are currently making plans to translate to several languages, including Portuguese. We have members from 131 different countries, so we will be working diligently to prevent any language barriers.
What is your final message to Brazilian designers and companies?
Thanks for letting me share, hopefully I get the chance to meet several new Brazilian users on IncSpring soon. If there is ever anything I can do to continue to promote Brazils thriving design community, please let me know. Otherwise, go easy on our USA football team in 2009!
by Panflare
Considering that IncSpring has users worldwide, as well as LogoBR, what is the message you’d like to send to designers and companies from other countries?
Hopefully everyone will seize the new opportunities the present themselves in today’s tough global economy. Our worlds are growing closer together every day; I wish all of your readers nothing but success and peace in 2009.
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I’m thankful for the kindness of Wes Wilson and your liking during the interview. Thank you Wes! 😉
What did you guys think of this interview? D’you like it?
LEIA ESSE ARTIGO EM PORTUGUÊS