In this article I have listed the 5 Things I Wish I Knew About Designing Logos When I First Started.
Nobody is perfect and neither I am, I’ve made mistakes when it comes to logo design, but reflecting back on these mistakes I hope you can avoid making the same mistakes I did.
Let’s keep this one short and straight to the point. Let’s jump right in!
Table of Contents
1. Experiment Relentlessly
I know it’s difficult but try not to get attached to the first idea you come up with, it’s the first idea for a reason it’s properly the most obvious!
Early ideas may seem perfect, but keep pushing yourself to explore different concepts and design directions. The best designs often emerge after working through multiple iterations.
2. The Client Isn’t the Expert
A logo should align with the industry, audience, and the products and services that are being supplied.
I get it as a new designer you think the client has all the power when it comes to decision making because they are paying you.
While it’s correct they are paying you, they are paying you for a reason, they choose you to design their logo!
The client sees you as a specialist who is capable of delivering their logo design!
Don’t fixate on their personal design preferences, it should not be about self-expression. Instead, focus on explaining your design decisions and why it works best for their brand.
Top tip – Have evidence to support the decisions you have made explain this to the client to help them understand your decision making.
3. Learn the Rules Then Break Them
Design rules exist for good reasons, but strategic rule-breaking can set a brand apart from the rest.
In a market saturated with trend-followers, calculated risks in logo design can create memorable results.
4. Obvious is Boring!
If a design is obvious, it’s probably overdone. You don’t want your clients brand to drown in a sea of sameness.
Example of Clients Who Don’t Understand the Purpose of Logos and Branding
For example the amount of builders I see with the same or very similar logo of the house and windows and their name below is ridicules.
I was once talking to a builder about his logo and I mentioned that his logo was the same as his main competitor who did have a bad reputation. I explained this can cause issues with identity and client trust, after I explained this to him his reply was:
“Yes but the name is different and the colour is not the same, so it is different”
This level or lack of understanding about logo design and branding really frustrates me.
There is no helping this level of mentality and it’s a shame as I have a lot of respect for builders, I’m also quite handy myself with bricks and wood and love building stuff it’s a very skilled profession.
Simply put he was losing work because his competitor had a bad reputation and customers were confusing him with his competitor all because they remembered the logo and made an association with it.
I just could not get him to realise what was happening, builders what you to invest a lot of money on their services, but their ignorance towards design makes them appear cheap and tacky. I have learned down the line that the majority of trade’s people don’t want to invest in good design.
It’s the same for many other industries, but this example is something that sticks in my mind.
My advice is push beyond clichés and create something that stands out from the competition.
5. Less is More in Logo Design
Avoid overcomplicating logos with too many elements. A simple, strong design often communicates more effectively than a cluttered one.
Explain to your client that the main purpose of a logo is to identify not explain, it needs to be simple enough to remember within a second or two.
This reminds me of another client of mine, this client sold Hot Tubs and when discussing his logo design he mentioned his logo needed to have the manufactures logo added to it to let people know who they used.
Without going it to too much detail I explained that it didn’t and it was his unique company logo to identify his business not somebody else’s, it was a challenging long winded conversation, but I got the message across eventually.
This is just another example of how you need to educate your clients to get the best outcomes for their logo design.
Conclusion:
As you venture into the world of logo design, remember that growth comes through experience and pushing boundaries. Experimenting relentlessly will lead you to unexpected creative breakthroughs that methodical approaches might never uncover.
While respecting your clients is paramount, recognise that they hired you for your expertise—don’t be afraid to guide them toward stronger design choices they might not initially envision. The fundamentals of design exist for good reason, but once mastered, the most memorable logos often come from knowing exactly which rules to strategically break.
Resist the urge to settle for the obvious solution; challenge yourself to dig deeper and find perspectives that surprise and delight. And finally, embrace the power of simplicity—a clean, thoughtful design will almost always outperform an overcomplicated one.
The journey from novice to skilled logo designer isn’t linear, but these five insights should help you navigate common pitfalls while developing your unique creative voice.
Trust your instincts, continue learning, and watch as your confidence and capabilities grow with each new project. The logos you’ll create tomorrow will be informed by the lessons you learn today—so keep designing, keep refining, and keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
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Author Bio
Andrew Marriott is the owner and founder of The Logo Creative™. He is an award-winning designer with over two decades of experience designing logos and specialising in branding for companies worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Logo Design
How long should it take to design a professional logo?
While timeframes vary depending on project complexity, a thorough logo design process typically takes 2-4 weeks. This includes research, concept development, client feedback rounds, and finalization. Rushing this process often results in subpar outcomes—quality logo design requires adequate time for exploration and refinement.
What software do professional logo designers use?
Most professional designers use Adobe Illustrator for logo design because it creates vector graphics that can scale to any size without losing quality. Other options include Affinity Designer, CorelDRAW, and Figma. Beginners might start with more accessible tools like Canva or Adobe Express, but vector-based software is essential for professional logo development.
How much should I charge for logo design as a beginner?
As a beginner, consider charging between £500 – £1000 for a complete logo package. As your skills and portfolio grow, you can gradually increase your rates. Rather than competing on price, focus on demonstrating value through your process, communication, and final deliverables. Remember that professional logo design is an investment in a business’s visual identity.
What file formats should I provide to clients after completing a logo?
At minimum, provide your clients with vector files (AI, EPS, SVG), raster files in various resolutions (PNG with transparent backgrounds, JPG), and both colour and black/white versions. Include files optimized for web use, social media profiles, and print applications. A comprehensive file package demonstrates professionalism and ensures your client can use their logo effectively across all platforms.
How do I make my logo designs stand out from competitors?
To create distinctive logos, invest time in thorough research—not just of your client’s industry but also broader design trends and timeless principles. Develop a strong concept before touching software, sketch extensively to explore multiple directions, and ensure your final design communicates the brand’s unique value proposition. Remember that meaningful simplicity tends to create more memorable logos than flashy complexity.