5 Branding + Design Myths - Busted?!

This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. We only recommend products and services we use and love!

If you're not a graphic designer or marketing exec, the idea of creating your own brand style, logo, and marketing materials might seem like a daunting task. But, I assure you - it is easier than you think!

Over the years, DIY branding myths have held back many a creative entrepreneur - including myself - but it doesn't have to be that way for you!

Today, we're going to debunk 5 of the most common DIY branding myths and gather the courage to design our own brands! *insert warrior chant here*

Myth #1 - Your brand will take forever to create

When you imagine yourself sitting down for the first time, to create your visual brand, you might see yourself sitting there for hours, days, or even weeks struggling to create the "perfect" design. You imagine yourself sifting through a sea of colors, fonts, and design elements that seems daunting and overwhelming. And, if you're an overthinking perfectionist like I am,

Honestly. creating a brand doesn't need to be this big scary thing at all! With user friendly design software, like Canva (my fave), and thousands of professionally designed templates available, you don't have to start with nothing.

I like to browse the latest pre-designed logos on the Canva library, and find a few varieties that speak to me. I also use Pinterest to find color palettes that relate to what I am marketing and that bring me joy.

From there, you can browse fonts and elements on Canva that align with the style, colors, and feel that you already narrowed down.

I promise you - it's not that dramatic once you get into it. Most of the brands I have created for myself over the years have been created in less than a day. ONE. DAY. That's not so scary, right?

Myth: busted! 

Myth #2 - A diy brand will look unprofessional

This one makes me think of the classic TikTok audio "Who's gonna know?....They're gonna know..."

If you've never designed a brand before, you might be thinking - there's no way that I can make something as beautiful as a professional can....but that's exactly why templates exist and are an excellent investment! (*wink wink*)

I think that templates offer you 2 great options:

1) Use as is. There are many templates out there that are super easy to edit with your name or brand colors and just use as is! All the hard work is done for you!

2) Use as a starting point. If you're not finding the exact thing you're looking for in a pre-made template, but you don't want to start from scratch, look for a template that has many elements that you love, and tweak it a little bit to fit your brand better.

No matter how you decide to use a template, they can provide a great foundation for your end design.

Sure, you can make pancakes from scratch - if you have all of the ingredients, the time, and the skill. But, if you're short on any of those, you can buy a pre-mixed and measured pancake mix and just add water (or oil and eggs)! While the two recipes may vary in ingredients and prep time, at the end of the day, they are both pancakes and they will both provide a sufficient (and delicious!!) breakfast.

So, whether you make your brand from scratch, or use a template as a jumping off point, at the end of the day, it will look great and connect with the right audience for you.

Myth: busted! 

Myth #3 - Your first brand is the be all end all.

Okay, well, we should already know this isn't true. But, if you're a perfectionist like me - this can be a MAJOR cause of anxiety and delay in launching your business idea. How many big name brands out there have you seen change their logos and branding over the years. How many brands that started back in the 1900's still have their original logos in the 2000's.....not many.... if any??

In reality - your brand SHOULD change over time, as YOU change over time. Your brand is ultimately an extension of you, the creator, so as you grow and change, your brand should grow and change as well - to reflect this!

That being said, there is a right and wrong way to do this. What you don't want to do is completely change your logo, colors, or name overnight! You don't want your current audience to be entirely confused when they pull up your social profile or website.

You can easily adjust fonts or brand colors, even adjust/change your logo a little at a time. But, if you're looking to completely rebrand with a new name - that's a whole 'nother topic.

You want to make sure that any changes you consider make sense. Base these decisions on market research from within your own business - what's working for you and what isn't. As a brand, your goal is to get your audience to know you and trust you - and creating a consistent brand is a key part of that process.

Myth: busted!

Myth #4 – You are not creative enough to design your own brand.

Or in the case of branding - the eye of you, your target audience, and your niche.

EVERYONE is creative in some way, to some degree, and not every logo/brand needs to be an intricate piece of artwork. Some of the greatest brands have the simplest logos.

Plus, like I mentioned before, there are so many templates and inspirational images available these days to spark your creativity - that this simply cannot be true!

If you have any ideas rolling around in your brain, throw something quick together and ask someone close to you what they think! Are there too many colors; is the font legible; is it too simple or too distracting; does the logo make sense with what you're selling; etc. This can also give you a good idea of where to go from there.

Myth: busted!

Myth #5 – Graphic design programs are complicated and hard to learn.

I am fully aware that not everyone is at my level of software knowledge - heck, I've been using a computer since I was 10 (so like 20+ years. Eeek!), and coding complex Excel functions for the last 10 years. I am a GOOGLE MASTER. I also know that I don't know everything there is to know about graphics design and design software. Being self-taught - you tend to only learn what you need to know in the moment.

But, here's the great thing - if I learned it, anyone can!

Trust me, if I can teach my mother-in-law (who is definitely not tech savvy lol) how to edit a template in Canva so that she can print off soap labels - I can teach you too.

Having used "professional" design software like Adobe Photoshop and Corel Draw, I can assure you:

And, whether you prefer to read or watch, there are SO MANY amazing tutorials available on blogs and YouTube, to help you on your learning journey.

If you prefer to read, download our FREE GUIDE "20 Pro Tips for Canva", to learn some basic and handy tips to get you started!

Myth: Busted!

When it comes to designing your brand and finally making your business a reality you only have a few options.

1. You could pay someone your life's savings to design your branding for you.

2. You could spend hours trying to design a cohesive brand from scratch

3. You could make a small investment by purchasing a pre-designed template bundle that speaks to you - and tweak it just a little to fit your specific vision.

Which one sounds the best to you?

Which one will help you get closer to your dreams today?

Let me know what route you chose!

Autumn