When you’ve carefully crafted a recognizable brand identity, it is essential to avoid falling victim to common blunders. If you make even one of these unfortunate decisions, chances are that your brand will suffer irreparable damage; resulting in a loss of customers or diminished recognition within the industry.
Are you willing to forsake all that hard work for an ill-advised decision? Then let us be your cautionary tale!
1. Not Developing a Brand Identity That is Consistent with Your Corporate Image
If, like us, you are a dapper fella who prides himself on his sartorial elegance, then don’t forget your brand identity should be congruent with the image you wish to project.
Of course, it may seem requiring that you abide by certain conventions when creating your logo or selecting an emblem for your emblem-appropriate company mascot, but remember that these design decisions should be guiding principles for all aspects of your branding efforts.
2. Not Developing a Brand Identity that is Simple to Understand
To thrive, a brand must be easily understood and readily identifiable. Hence, it is imperative to design an effective logo that communicates your core message or concept.
In order for customers to establish an affinity with your products and services upon first encounter, they require a clear understanding of what they stand for.
To ensure that this occurs, be sure to establish an easily recognized identity that drives comprehension.
3. Not Having Multiple Design Concepts Ready to Go
If you have only one design idea that you’re utilizing for your brand identity, you may be asking for some trouble. At the very least, it’s prudent to keep a few different concepts on hand so that if one doesn’t quite cut it – or if there are any unforeseen obstacles along the way – an alternative option can always be employed.
Hurdles like dwindling budget, lack of time and creative blocks can make incorporating a diverse array of designs difficult; however, with the aid of more than one concept strategy at your disposal, these problems can be defused.
For instance, if a freelance designer is not available when you need them most, having multiple options from which to choose could help expedite the process; alternatively – such as when working with in-house staff – the option might present itself whereby another team member could handle this task instead!
4. Not Doing Enough Market Research When Choosing a Logo or Color Scheme
The cornerstone of any successful business is its brand identity, and it is critically important that you carefully research both before and after launch. However, if you neglect to conduct market research on your logo or color schemes then there could be a serious problem on the horizon!
Typically, companies take between six and eighteen months to complete their branding efforts. By conducting targeted research on your chosen colors and logos as well as commissioning an outside agency for assistance, you can ensure that all aspects of the process run smoothly.
5. Choosing an Unfortunate Font Choice For Your Name
If you’ve created a name that perfectly encapsulates your enterprise, don’t be afraid to jazz it up with some stylish typography! Unfortunate as it may seem, choosing an unfortunate font for your brand identity can lead to a distinct lack of professionalism.
When in doubt, consider using the cleanest available option. In this case, Arial is likely the safest bet – although Helvetica or even sans-serif typefaces provide a more contemporary look compared to serifs like Garamond or Times New Roman.
For those who are new to creating a brand logo, there is no need for excessive handiwork. Keeping things simple and opting for a single color, font size and line height create striking visuals that could possibly catch someone’s eye even before they have established any connection with your company.
Logo
Your logo is the most essential component of your branding. This can be an intricate, specialist design, or a simple one-color symbol that conveys your company’s message.
Logo design should be simple, memorable and unique to your business. To ensure this, you must choose colors that accurately reflect your brand identity and keep it consistent throughout all marketing materials. In addition, make sure it doesn’t deviate from its original form!
Are you pondering about revoking the Exclusive Use of Your Logo? You may want to think twice before making this decision; after all, as long as it’s registered with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) then no other company can use this particular design without incurring legal complications.
or Other Elements of Your Identity
The savvy entrepreneur will take the time to consider all aspects of their brand’s ethos. This includes design decisions such as logo choice or color scheme; as well as the words that make up your brand name itself.
By adhering strictly to these suggestions, you can guarantee that your piece of mind will be protected for years – and it may even increase your sense of security!
6. Not Having a Robust Marketing Plan in Place Before Launching Your Brand
A robust marketing plan is essential in any industry; it’s the engine that drives growth. Not only should you be cognizant of your target audience when developing this, but also how you will communicate with them and entice them into making a purchase decision – all while maintaining consistency between all potential platforms as well! To succeed, your marketing strategy must be multifaceted and well-planned out; don’t forget to keep up with its evolution over time!
Don’t be one of those companies who fail to plan – forget the instructions manual! Invest the time necessary to develop an exhaustive list of strategies for your brand identity so that it can thrive on multiple platforms throughout the web.
7. Making the Wrong Trade-Offs Between Design and Functionality
When designing your logo, you may be tempted to overlook its functionality in favor of its aesthetic appeal. However, if you opt for a striking design over one that’s both recognizable and functional – such as an intricate rendering of a unicorn or some other whimsical iconography – then chances are it won’t be as effective at conveying message as your alternate option!
If aesthetics aren’t prioritized over functionality, consider choosing a logo design that serves the dual purpose of communicating your brand while also being able to work as its identifier. By including cues like color schemes or angles of two-dimensional representations alongside three-dimensional ones, you can make sure that users of your hardware will still recognize them even if they’re printed on cardboard instead of metal enclosures!
Conclusion
Despite the risks associated with making a blunder, there is no need to panic! With just a little effort and knowledge, you can ensure your brand identity remains intact.
Did you encounter any particularly egregious examples of brands’ blunders? We’d love to hear from you! Let us know!
