Branding is very important and may need to be revised or amended as time goes by and your business dynamic or needs change. To do this, the original design files will need to be supplied to the designers you have chosen to assist you.
This is however a topic that isn’t really spoken about, because many design companies try to avoid it all together. In most cases, they ensure future work by not handing you your open design files. When the time comes for your logo or branding elements to upgrade, it kind of forces you to make the changes through that specific company.
This is something they may share with you upfront, before any work is done; or at a later stage when you start requesting your design files. This can make it very difficult for most businesses out there, who don’t have the original design files for their branding in their possession.
In what formats will you be needing your design files? Well, that depends on what you need the files for.
To start off, you will usually receive your files as a JPEG to easily view it as a picture or use it digitally (in if the quality of the JPEG is good, it can also be used for printing). The next should be a PDF which is mainly used for printing or any other form of signage. A very handy file to have is the PNG file (which does not consist of a background) when it comes to a logo or icon of some sort – as this can be used in any design, with any background.
Lastly, and most importantly, is the open design files which is usually saved in a PSD or AI format, depending on the programme used by the designer. These files will be the master copy from which all the above mentioned versions can be saved, so even if you only have these files your designer should be able to assist you with most of your requests.
A tip from Bunnypants would be to contact your designer or design company and request these files for safe keeping, even if you wish to stay with them for the foreseeable future.
