5 DIY Logo Mistakes You Don’t Know You’re Making (But Totally Are)
So, you’ve taken on the bold and budget-friendly task of creating your own logo—go you!
But before you hit download and plaster it all over the place, let’s talk about a few common mistakes that can trip up even the most creative DIY-er.
Designing your own logo isn’t wrong (hey, we’ve all been there), but avoiding these five mistakes can save you hours (and I mean hours!) of frustration, help you look more professional, and set your brand up for long-term success.
1. Choosing Trendy Over Timeless
That ultra-stylish font or color combo might be everywhere on Instagram right now—but what about in two years? Your logo should be built to last. Trends fade fast, and you want something that grows with your business, not something that feels dated six months from now.
Pro Tip: Go for clean, versatile design choices that reflect your brand personality—not what’s trending in the moment.
2. Overcomplicating the Design
More isn’t more when it comes to logos. DIY designs often end up with too many fonts, too many colors, or too many competing elements. The result? Visual chaos. A strong logo should be simple enough to work at any size—from a website favicon to a billboard.
Pro Tip: Stick to 1–2 fonts, 2–3 colors, and a clean layout that’s easy to recognize at a glance.
3. Using Fonts That Aren’t Licensed (or Readable!)
Google Fonts and Canva make fonts feel like a free-for-all—but just because you can use it in a design doesn’t mean you legally can for business branding. On top of that, many DIY logos suffer from poor font choices that don’t align with the brand voice or can be really hard to read.
Pro Tip: Choose licensed, legible fonts and pair them with intention. If you’re unsure, a quick chat with a designer (me!) can help you avoid a headache later.
4. Forgetting About Versatility
You might love how your logo looks full-size and in color, but what happens when you need it in black and white? Or tiny on social media? Or portrait instead of landscape? DIY logos often skip alternate versions, which are crucial for flexibility across platforms and marketing.
Pro Tip: At minimum, you should have a primary logo (either portrait or landscape), a brandmark (think Nike swoosh), and a black & white variation.
5. Skipping the Strategy
This one’s the biggie. A logo isn’t just a pretty design—it’s a visual representation of your brand's story, values, and purpose. When DIY-ing, it’s easy to jump straight into Canva without doing the deeper work of defining your brand strategy first.
Pro Tip: Take the time to ask: What do I want my brand to communicate? Who am I trying to reach? Your logo should start with strategy, not just style. Download my FREE Brand Identity Workbook here!
Ready for a Refresh?
If this list has you mentally circling a few design choices you’d like to redo... you’re not alone! Whether you're craving a full brand makeover, want a second set of eyes on your current visuals, or need help creating consistency across your materials, I offer 1:1 branding consults and full brand packages designed to bring clarity and confidence to your visuals.
Or—if you’re not quite ready for custom but know you need a more elevated look—check out The Brand Collection, my shop of semi-custom brand kits that are professionally designed and created to help you show up with style and strategy.
No matter where you're at in your branding journey, I'm here to help you move forward with confidence—and design you can actually be proud of.
