Logo Design: 5 Logo Mistakes That Are Damaging Your Brand
Mar 7
Your business needs a logo design, right?
Well, I’m sure you can guess my answer — that’s a big resounding YES!
But (and this is a big “but”), the wrong logo could be seriously damaging your brand.
I see it all the time, and I’ll be honest, branding and your logo is one place you shouldn’t be skimping or rushing. The right branding connects with your ideal client, builds trust, and converts.
The wrong logo and branding does the exact opposite — leaves you with bargain-hunting clients (or no clients at all!).
So, in episode 103 of my business and branding video series, I’m sharing:
Logo Design: Five Logo Mistakes That Are Damaging Your Brand
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Mistake #1: Over complicated Logo Design
Have you ever noticed how expensive and luxurious things have an understated and simplified elegance about them? They don’t need a lot of flash. You know they’re fancy.
The opposite is true with cheap stuff… it’s busy, almost screaming for your attention. Because why would you pay attention otherwise?
Just think about the menu at a fine-dining restaurant. It’s simple with maybe 6 options — but you know they’re all gonna being amazing.
On the other hand, that greasy-spoon hole-in-the-wall down the street has a menu a mile-long and you’re just wondering which dish isn’t going to give you food poisoning!
Well the same thing goes for your logo!
A lot of times DIY logos or logos done on the cheap are over-complicated. They’re screaming for your attention. And the just look… well… trashy.
A simple and elegant logo, on the other hand, will always be in style!
Mistake #2: Illegible Logo Design
You know what’s awkward? Meeting someone new, and not knowing how to pronounce their name! You might even avoid saying it all together.
Well, the same goes with an illegible logo. If it’s hard to read (and that can be text that’s hard to read — or a design we don’t understand) we’ll probably just avoid it all together.
Nobody likes to feel confused, it makes us uncomfortable. As humans we crave understanding. We want to understand as much as we want to be understood.
So if your logo has viewers scratching their heads, chances are, you’re never gonna hear from them!
Here’s the thing, to most amateurs, there’s a simple formula for a logo:
Small image/graphic + text = logo
Sorry to burst your bubble, girl — but it just doesn’t work like that!
Listen, I got an art degree, specifically in graphic design. But guess what my actual degree says… it’s not “Fine Art.” Nope. It’s “Visual Communication.” I got a degree in how to communicate visually — how to share complex ideas with design.
This is where DIY falls short, because a logo isn’t a graphic slapped together with some text. It’s the pinnacle of your visual branding — communicating all the value, expertise, and experience you offer you client.
No easy task — believe me. This definitely requires the understanding and finesse of someone who knows what they’re doing.
So repeat after me: My logo is not a DIY project!M
Mistake #3: Trendy Logo Design
Here’s the thing about your logo and branding — it’s meant to build trust with your audience. It should be timeless and unforgettable.
That’s exactly the problem with trendy logos: They’ve got an expiration date, and they’re unremarkable.
Graphic design and brand design are just like any other kind of design — styles change and trends come and go.
But great logos withstand the test of time.
That’s why you should never choose a “trendy logo” — you’ll constantly have to change it to stay on top of trends. And when you’re changing your logo and branding all the time you just look flakey (i.e. untrustworthy) to your audience.
Mistake #4: Copycat Logo Design
The purpose of your logo and branding isn’t just to build trust with your audience, it’s also to set you apart from the competition.
Just think about that.
Your logo needs to set you apart from your competition.
It seems pretty basic, right?
Well you wouldn’t believe how many entrepreneurs I talk to who want a logo “just like so-and-so because she’s so popular, and so successful. If I only had a logo just like hers I’d be successful too!”
Sorry girlfriend. It just doesn’t work that way!
More than that, why do you want to blend in?? (If she’s as popular as you say she is, you know every other ladypreneur in your position wants to copy her as well!)
Girl, you weren’t born to blend in. You were made to stand out!
So when it comes to copycat logos, that’s a major #hardpass
Mistake #5: Wrong Logo Filetype
Unlike the four logo “no-nos” above, which were mostly brand strategy based issues, this one is purely technical. But make no mistake, this one can be just as catastrophic.
Having the wrong logo filetype means that your logo and brand are dead on arrival.
I see this a lot with photographers and other creatives who have access to creative software (like Photoshop) — they think they can DIY a logo simply because they have the right software.
Well wrong. And wrong again.
Because that’s not even the right software!
You should never design a logo in Photoshop.
Adobe Photoshop can only produce raster files (files with a fixed pixel/size).
I use a software called Illustrator (also by Adobe) but instead of creating raster files, Illustrator works in vector files.
“Vector files are much more flexible and rely on mathematical equations that generate files upon rescaling in order to allow a flawless image quality. Vector files are most commonly used with graphic designers.” [source]
In other words, that original logo file that I create can be scaled up or down without any loss of resolution.
From that vector file, I create a whole system of logos for my clients, in different file types, that they can use depending on their needs. These include jpg, png, eps (another vector file), svg, and more.
One more reason why you should hire a qualified professional to design your logo and branding.
Oh, hello — that’s me! Click here to learn more about my brand design services.
Five Logo Design Mistakes That Are Damaging Your Brand
Now that you know, you’ll never look at your own (or another) logo the same! Here are my top 5 mistakes I see from creative solopreneurs:
- Over Complicated Logo Design
- Illegible Logo Design
- Trendy Logo Design
- Copycat Logo Design
- Wrong Logo Filetype
Are you making one or more of these design mistakes with your own logo? Leave me a comment below!
And don’t forget to download my free workbook — The Brand Blueprint — a 20-page guide to help you take your brand to the next level:
