There’s an endless variety of unique logo design possibilities to choose from when selecting the right company logo for your business; and an equally abundant pool of missteps to be made in the process.

The sky’s the limit when it comes to color, shape, size, ambiance and message to be conveyed with your company logo, and so many phenomenal designs yet to be created, but be wary to avoid common mistakes that can cause your logo design to fall completely flat.

Don’t Get Caught Making These Logo Design Blunders

It isn’t easy navigating the tightrope that is design versus trends versus current events; with an ever-shifting aesthetic preference and unforeseeable changes in consumer mindset, one thing for certain is that a logo design should be timeless, with little regard for what will inevitably passing fads. Aside from this factor, the only limit is that of the imagination, and the creativity of the logo designer.

So let’s instead place our focus on what NOT to do; those seemingly minor details that can turn off your consumer before they ever have the chance to appreciate the message and appeal of your logo.

Here are 5 common errors to avoid when choosing your company logo:

DON’T choose an outdated logo design – certain elements that worked well for a long-established company logo, (such as a bow tie or royal crest), may not work well as a new design in a current market. Those older designs were successful in their contemporary environments, and have stood the test of time due to the longevity of the company, and ongoing recognition of their brand. But don’t try to pass off an old trademark as a new innovation in the modern world.

DON’T make it about YOU – creating a design solely on the basis of what pleases your own eyes will more than likely make you your only customer. If you want to sell a product or service, design your logo according to what will resonate with your potential customer; not just what you think looks nice according to personal preference.

DON’T draw inspiration directly from competitor logo designs – It’s easy to fall into the trap of choosing similar colors, themes and overall look and feel of a logo based on what your competition is doing. But it’s not set in stone that medical products must use serenity blue, nor that valentine’s gifts must be portrayed with pink and red. While there’s some substance to the use of certain colors to evoke particular ‘vibes’, if you want to stand out from your competitors you must also explore the possibility of choosing an entirely different direction for your own unique logo.

DON’T overcomplicate – We’ve mentioned this before, but it cannot be overstated: too much can easily be too much when it comes to your logo design. Overly ornate, crowded or intricate logo design graphics will only limit your ability to use your logo in varied environments. Remember to test your logo in many sizes and resolutions; if it cannot be easily read and understood in every size, it’s time to make some space by removing unnecessary elements.

DON’T rely on effects – Anyone who has a copy of Photoshop on their computer can have a field day with bevels, gradients, lighting and many other ‘nifty’ effects these days. And while the temptation is certainly there to pull every visual trick out the hat, a truly expert designer knows when NOT to employ the various bells and whistles now at our disposal. Reiterating the idea that a logo must translate in any size or medium, fancy visual trickery will often fall apart when downsized, upsized, or displayed in black and white, among other factors. Keep your master logo simple; from there you can always play with variants for different applications.

Company Logo Design Firm

If you’re serious about your business, you should be serious about your company logo design. PearTree Design has been designing logos for more than 15 years, and we believe your logo should not be left to chance by a random contest or created from stock artwork.

At PearTree, we take a sensible approach to company logo design. Before ever beginning a project, we first take time to understand your business market and logo objectives. We then research market trends and create designs specifically for your company – no “cookie cutter” or pre-fab designs here. Unlike other companies, which may limit designs and use pre-made graphics, every design we create is unique.

We invite you to request a fast, free quote online, to help you determine how easy and cost-effective it can be to work with a company logo design firm who puts the checkmarks in all the right boxes… and much more. Simply click here to tell us about your project needs, and we’ll email you a custom quote for company logo design services within 24 hours.