12 Reasons Why Your Logo May Need a Makeover

Have you been contemplating a rebrand or refresh of your current logo?

It’s a big decision and a big commitment. But it may be worth the effort. Here are 12 reasons you may want to consider a makeover for your logo.

1. Your logo wasn’t created by a professional graphic designer.

While it may seem like a great way to save money, skimping on your logo design can harm your business. A professional graphic designer has the skill and equipment needed to create high-quality graphics, an understanding of color and typography, and training to conduct market and competitive research.

2. Your logo includes clip art.

You want to be unique and memorable, and don’t want to be confused with a shady company using the same clip art image in their logo. Plus, If you can’t trademark your logo, you’re putting your brand at risk. An original design can prevent this.

3. You wouldn’t hire yourself when you compare your logo to your competitors’.

Consumer studies show that 80% of purchasing decisions are based on senses and emotion rather than logic. How your brand is perceived visually can have an enormous impact on the success of your business.

4. The nature of your business has changed since your logo was designed.

Businesses evolve over time. If your core business has changed since your logo was originally created, it may no longer represent your brand

5. Your logo doesn’t reflect where you want to be in five or ten years.

Most new business owners have big plans for the future. Don’t make the mistake of designing your logo based solely on where you are now, or it could quickly become outdated.

6. Your logo includes the font Comic Sans, Papyrus, or Brush Script.

These fonts – along with others on the many “worst fonts” lists available online – are widely reviled for their bad design and/or overuse and can make you look amateurish and unprofessional.

7. You aren’t proud to show people your logo.

Your logo is a visual representation of your business. It should reflect who you are as an organization. If your brand doesn’t look professional, you could be perceived as unprofessional yourself.

8. You can’t resize your logo without it becoming pixelated or blurry.

Your logo must look great on everything from a pen to a billboard. If you only have your logo in JPG, GIF, or PNG formats, your options are very limited. A vector file format will remain sharp and clear at any size and should be considered a requirement for every business.

“I strive for two things in design: simplicity and clarity. Great design is born of those two things.”
-Lindon Leader

9. Customers couldn’t read or recognize your logo if printed on a pen.

When a logo is too detailed or tries to convey too much information, it can become muddled or unreadable when used in a small size. A logo should be simple enough that it’s instantly recognizable and easy to read.

10. Your logo is sometimes mistaken for another.

It’s important to ensure your logo doesn’t look too much like anyone else’s. A competent designer will spend time doing competitive research, is constantly aware of the logos that appear around us, and can avoid confusion with your design.

11. Your logo works well in print but not online. Or vice versa.

Your logo must translate well for all mediums and platforms. Plus, it should be effective when used in color and black and white.

12. Your logo feels cliche or overused.

You want your logo to be clever and creative, unique and one-of-a-kind. How many times have you seen a logo featuring puzzle pieces? A globe? A variation of the ubiquitous “v-man” or “swoosh-man”? A clichéd or generic logo won’t be memorable.

Do one or more of these reasons resonate with you? If so, give us a buzz, and let’s talk about it. Caffeinated Design Studio can help.