Why a DIY Logo is a Bad Idea
Running a business involves lots of responsibility and, of course, expenses. To allocate our money wisely, we prioritize things that need to be done according to its importance. I can understand if your business logo is not on top of your list. It’s one of those things that you are more likely to DIY. But as a professional graphic designer, I see a lot of problems with DIY logos like the ones below.
Lack of cohesion
It's a common mistake to use multiple fonts and too many details on the logo even for a new graphic designer. You may think a script font looks fancy but does your business offer a fancy, luxury service/product? If it doesn’t, you need to find a font that fits your business. You may think using 4 to 5 different colors is ok, but for your audience it isn’t.
In reality, using too many elements distracts your audience from creating emotional connections with your business. Without an immediate connection, your audience will move on and look for businesses that can do this successfully. The rule of thumb in logo design is to only add one or two stories and simplify.
You are designing a logo without a brand
Every business that is successful today has a brand. If that is where you want your business to be in the future, you need to think about your brand as a whole and not just a logo. The logo you are about to design or already designed is only a small part of your brand. Your brand consists of visual identity, communication and good customer service. This is one of major benefits of hiring a brand designer, as design starts at creating your brand and not your logo.
Your logo is not responsive
By now because of COVID you probably realize that you need a business presence in one of the social media platforms or your own website to continue doing business. Your logo has different profile spaces to accommodate like rectangular, square and circular. It should also be readable on the smallest scale. This is troublesome for business owners like you who have DIY logos. Your DIY logo is restrictive. It lacks variation. The solution is to have a responsive logo right from the beginning. You see, you need to design a logo not for its look but where it’s going to live.
It’s not print or web-ready
Are you going to use your logo online and in print via brochures or business cards? If yes, it means your logo has to be exported in print and web-friendly files because the way the colors are displayed on the computer screen and in paper are different.
Without taking this into account, your color may look funky when printed or displayed on your computer screen. To resolve this, you need a file that is exported in RGB (web) and in CMYK (print) color modes to allow you to have the exact colors on your logo all the time.
You are wasting money
You may think that you are saving money because you are doing it yourself but in reality you are actually losing money. Let’s be honest. You probably don’t know anything about design, the psychology of colors and shapes or how to use the design software. It means you need to begin without prior knowledge of what you are doing.
How long do you think you need to learn how to design and use the software? You can use the time to do things for your business that only you can do like networking or closing a deal with a client you have been courting for a long time.
If you still don’t know, your time equals money. Invest all your effort in things you are good at; if you are terrible at design, forget about it and hire a professional designer.
So what should you do if you can’t hire a graphic designer?
Trade your service for a logo. If you can give your service for free to a graphic designer, do it. Most often we appreciate exchange of services, just don’t ask us to make your logo for free.
Use a premade logo instead. A premade logo is an affordable way to give your business a professional look without leaving you broke and waiting for months. It’s ideal for newly-established businesses that have tight budgets and time for a custom logo.