Design A Logo That Works 101

Designing a logo isn’t the most important part of your brand identity but that doesn’t mean you can ignore it.

Think of your brand like a person:

• Mission + vision = the heart

• Tone of voice = the mouth

• Personality = the brain

• Logo = the nose

Sure, you can technically live without a nose… but wouldn’t life be a lot easier with one?

That’s how logos work.

People often underestimate them or go with the cheapest option, but a logo is literally your brand’s face. Done right, it’s a blessing. Done wrong, it’s like finding a hair in your food, it ruins the whole vibe.

Now, I’ll always recommend hiring a brand designer if you want a strong identity and a solid logo. But if that’s not possible right now, I’ve got you covered. This is:

✨ DIY Logo Design 101 ✨

Today, we’re talking functionality, making sure your logo looks good at any size and in just one color. Here’s what to watch out for:

1. Steer Clear of Cursive

I get it—they look fancy and everyone’s using them. But here’s the problem:

• They don’t shrink well (hello, unreadable text).

• All those swirls make it harder to read.

• Editing them properly takes design software and skill—not Canva quick fixes.

So unless you want your logo to disappear at small sizes, skip the cursive.

2. Avoid Overlapping Elements

Logos often need to work in one color. If you stack or overlap too many shapes, they’ll just blend into a blob. The fix? Keep it simple. And if you do overlap, make sure to “cut out” parts so everything still looks clear.

Like In this example:

3. Be Careful with Illustrations

I know we all love a good drawing, but 99% of illustrations don’t work as logos (no, not even Gerber, just because they are using an illustration, it doesn't make it right). Instead, focus on creating a strong symbol or icon that represents your brand personality and values.

4. Make It Attractive

Let’s be real, you’re not Nike or Gucci (yet). Nobody has a reason to rep your brand on a t-shirt. But if your logo is genuinely attractive, people will want to show it off. That’s how you start building recognition.

5. Only Listen to Your Audience

Your mom, your cousin, your neighbor’s dog; they’re not your target audience. Don’t design for them. Design for the people who will actually buy from you. Their opinion is the only one that matters.

At the end of the day, your logo doesn’t have to be complicated, it just has to work. Keep it simple, readable, and aligned with your audience, and you’ll already be ahead of most DIY logos out there.

Remember, a logo isn't everything, but it makes the whole identity easier to recognize (and a lot more comfortable to live with). So give it the attention it deserves, you’ll thank yourself later.