6 branding mistakes made by new designers

Pitfalls aplenty await newcomers to branding. Here are six to avoid.

01. Underestimating the power of branding

When you’re just starting out as a designer, you won’t yet have had the opportunity to establish a strong reputation. This means that an identifiable, appealing brand is one of the best ways to stand out from the competition and lure in new clients. Failing to recognize just how important branding is for start-up designers can be a huge mistake, because it can potentially close down opportunities for growth. It’s also important from an online marketing perspective, because it drives you to the top of the search results.

02. Not defining what makes your brand unique

Before you start sketching a logo or writing copy for your website, you need to first define what your strengths are as a designer. What do you have to bring to the table that your competitors lack? What is your message or philosophy? Be sure to include these tidbits in your branding strategy or you’ll simply fade into the background.

03. Overcomplicating the issue

You may already know just how important branding is and have created a killer angle for your own. However, don’t fall into the trap of making it so complicated that it can be confusing. You want a logo that stands out, but you don’t necessarily need one with all the colours of the rainbow in it. Keep it clean and memorable.

04. Creating an inconsistent logo

Along these same lines, when creating a logo don’t forget that it’s only one piece of the overall puzzle. Make sure it fits in with the rest of your brand as a designer, for a consistent image across all channels. Your brand encompasses not only your logo and brand colours, but also the voice you use in your copywriting, the images you choose to post on social media, and even the font on your blog. Watch every detail carefully to be sure that these all follow the same basic design as your logo, for a stronger brand.

05. Failing to update your online presence

Once you’ve spent your time and effort launching your brand online with a website, blog, and social media presence, it’s tempting to kick back and wait for the orders to roll in. But maintaining a brand requires persistent effort, which you probably already know as a designer. You must update that blog regularly, respond to tweets, and keep your digital portfolio fresh with your best work.

06. Not taking feedback on board

Your brand may need a bit of tweaking as you’re just starting out. Ask your colleagues, tutors, and clients for feedback or attend branding workshops to get some new ideas. If your audience isn’t getting the message you are trying to convey, it’s time to change it up a bit. By taking care to create a strong, consistent brand, you’ll start off as a young designer on the right foot.]]>