Top 10 Logo Design Mistakes

In this digital age with vast technological network,we should be more careful in doing our designs particularly logo designs. Visibility is widespread so it is easy to recognize something and distinguish it from the others, more specifically how a company or brand represents itself. Communicating a unique and clear message is the key. But a lot of designers are still committing common mistakes in logo design. So we listed the top 10 most common mistakes logo designers should avoid.

1. Too many design elements

Always remember the golden rule, "less is more". Have a consensus especially with your clients, to come up with a common and most important message your logo wants to convey. Then come up with a simple yet unique design that will send that message in a more memorable and easily recognizable design. Stop getting busy and just KISS (Keep it Simple, Silly!).

2. Amateurish design

If you can easily distinguish between an amateurish and professionally done design, you know what I mean. Everything demands professionalism and what they see in your logo will immediately project an impression on what kind of brand or business it represents.

3. Typographic disorder

Too much font will kill you! Much like mistake number 1, using too many fonts creates chaos and confusing visual layout. Also avoid using too many font weights and style. The standard practice is to use a maximum of two fonts with same or different weights. Limiting the number of fonts greatly improves the legibility of your logo and improves brand recognition.

4. Choosing the wrong fonts

It's as simple as choosing the right dress for the right occasion. Find the right balance between your logo icon, the logo type, and the mood your brand is trying to convey. If you get too close between your icon and logo type it might get too boring and compete with each other for attention. If you have the extra budget, try looking for fonts from professional font foundries. They offer much better looking fonts than free ones.

5. Relying too much on design trends

It is always safe to stick with timeless yet unique designs that will last for many years. A new brand or company is intended to last for long years and relying on design trends is not a good idea. New design cliches quickly fade away and may also affect the timeliness of your logo.

6. Using pixelated raster images

Avoid using raster images. It is standard design practice to use vector graphics when designing a logo. You can use industry standard vector graphic softwares like Adobe Illustrator or Corel Draw. Using vector graphics guarantees visual consistency and clarity across all sizes. Raster images on the other hand may cause problems with reproduction because you will never know how large you need to reproduce your logo in the future and may appear pixelated when enlarged more than its actual digital size.

7. Using too much color and effects

Another common mistake logo designers do is relying too much on colors and special effects thinking they would be able to create something that will really stand out. Work in black and white first and work your way up if additional colors are needed. Adding too much special effects like embossing, gloss, and drop shadows is also chaotic and unnecessary.

8. Using canned or stock images

One of the most important goal in designing a logo is to be unique and original. Clients normally have licensing agreement with the designer that their logo should be exclusive and using stock images may violate this rule. Chances are, the stock image you use might also be used by someone else somewhere.

9. Designing for yourself and not for client

An egocentric designer will most of the time come up with a design that represents himself and his own ideas rather than his client's needs. Never impose your own style or personality onto a client's logo. It just simply doesn't work that way.

10. Copying other's work

Some designers have that habit of looking at other's work when they find it hard to come up with good and unique design ideas. And most of the time they just try to modify it, do some changes here and there and then call it their own. It totally fails to be unique and original. And it's not just unethical but it's downright idiotic. Sooner, someone somewhere, will notice it and you and your client will be in trouble.