Should I give a client more logo options after refusing the initial designs?

Question

A client requested a logo design and branding for his start-up; it's business consultancy company.

The deal includes 3 logo design options with 7 items designed for the brand, for X amount of money. 50% of payment is due after agreeing to the logo, the other 50% after full work is done.

Their name is uBrand, and I have done 3 designs at first (two of them are full name "Unique Brand" logotypes). He rejected them and said he wants 3 designs of a "uBrand" logotype (not the full name). I provided two more logo options and an edited one of the previous sent logos. Now he rejects them all! And he refuses to pay.

Should I try with a new concept design for him?

Or should I make him choose one (do some amendments for him) and proceed as stated in the contract?

I did everything he stated in the brief "simple, logo type, very simple twist in font, clear and works on all mediums" >> should not be a challenge but he seems to not know what he wants.

He said they're a retro style but the truth is he doesn't even give a good reason for refusing them and he says he likes simple logos like Google's.

Answer 1

You are missing three things from your contract:

1) A down payment. When writing up a contract, you get a percentage of money before you do any work, to cover exactly this scenario (that you do everything and the client hates it and refuses to pay).

2) A kill fee, which is an amount (flat or percentage) which is paid when one side or the other cancels the contract (which is what he's doing by refusing to pay).

3) A line stating that beyond three versions, the client has to pay hourly.

Do not do more logo options for him. Your contract said three. He refused them all. He has paid you nothing.

I would declare the project cancelled and at this point walk away, and learn how to write a better contract for the next time.