Even before the advent of the internet, brand logos have been used to give businesses something to remember. Things were simpler back then since businesses need to be much more careful with the way they present themselves online. Any online activity can determine whether your brand prospers or fails.
A brand logo is one of these things. A good brand logo is essential to establishing a brand identity so that your customers can easily recognize your business and the products made by your business. In contrast, a bad logo can significantly hinder your business by creating a poor impression of your business. Here are some mistakes that you should avoid when designing a logo:
Not Using Vector Images
The primary reason why it’s important to use vector images over raster images is that the vast majority of content is viewed on varying screen sizes. This is especially important when you consider the fact that smartphones vary in screen size. Vector images automatically adjust to the screen size of the device it’s viewed on so that the image retains its original form and quality. Raster images are made of mathematically precise points, which means that they do not adjust to screen size in the same way that vector images do.
Using Bad Fonts
Different fonts give off different impressions. The dissonance between the nature of your business and the fonts used in your logo will give off the impression that your brand lacks direction. As a general rule, never use fonts such as Comic Sans and Papyrus. Stick with simple fonts. If you want to come up with something unique, you can also consider hiring a calligrapher.
Overcomplicated or Oversimplified Designs
It’s important to strike a balance in your logo design. Adding too complex a design creates too many distractions that makes it difficult for customers to discern what your brand logo is trying to convey. On the other hand, an oversimplified logo just shows a lack of effort and urgency. Remember that customers associate your business with the impression that your brand logo gives them. Make it a good impression by keeping your logo simple, versatile, and memorable.
Jumping On the Bandwagon
While it’s important to be aware of what trends are rising in the market, designers shouldn’t blindly follow whatever design element is trendy. You don’t have to adopt a trend to its fullest extent, but rather, simply take the elements that help you differentiate your logo from the rest of the market. If everyone jumps on a trend, everyone is going to have logos that look similar.
Copying
Generally, when you see that something works, it might be a good idea to follow suit. This isn’t one of those times, especially when you consider that your main goal should be to differentiate your brand from your competitors as much as possible. Copying their brand logo hurts your business because you end up losing the customers that mistake the product of the competition for your own products. You’d also risk losing your brand identity, especially if your competitor pulled off their logo better than you did.
These are the logo design mistakes that could potentially hurt your business. Whether you’re making a logo for free or if you’re working with a professional, this information should help guide you through your design process.
