Not a brand designer? You shouldn't be trusting your branding instincts.
I was triggered.
Your brand instincts don’t count if you’re not a designer. Your DIY brand is selfish, because you’re not considering your audience.
I recently saw a post on Threads about a business owner trusting their own instincts when it came to their brand — but they weren’t a designer.
Now, I believe all business owners are the authority on their business. They know the ins and outs, the context, the deep, powerful story and most importantly, their why and purpose.
But they’re not a trained (and I say trained loosely) designer that has a deep understanding of complex design principles, a solid grasp of conceptual thinking and applying that to visual assets nor the ability to turn a feeling or emotion into a tangible experience for people.
This Thread triggered me to my core.
I was shocked that there are still serious business owners out there that don’t take branding or their visual identity serious. This person mentioned they were in awe of designers that could pull together a beautiful, accessible colour palette, but until they were ready to invest, they were just doing whatever they wanted.
DIY is great, until it’s not. It’s a great option when you’re starting out with zero budget for branding. I get that! I did that! And I think a lot of designers hate admitting that. But I did, because most likely like you, I bootstrapped my business.
There are a few *challenges* with DIYing
You get comfortable with what you have because ‘it’s worked’
You created something that you liked
You never considered your growth
Investing in brand identity is a mindset shift
And now, you’re stuck with a half-baked logo that isn’t serving you and that doesn’t even think or take into account your audience, their wants, needs, deep desires, emotional state. It’s a little selfish, don’t you think?
So, back to trusting your instincts.
Yes, you are the authority of your business. But I can guarantee you, your instincts aren’t leading you in the right direction about your brand. You *think* that’s what your audience wants, but you don’t have an objective opinion.
Here’s the thing — your instincts might be spot-on when it comes to your business operations, but when it comes to design? Probs not. Your audience isn't you. What you like isn’t always what they connect with, and your DIY logo that “gets the job done” could actually be turning people away instead of drawing them in.
A good brand isn’t just about aesthetics or throwing together a colour palette that makes you feel warm and fuzzy. It’s about creating a visual language that speaks to your audience's needs and desires, not just your personal tastes. And that’s where professional design comes in — taking your vision and translating it into something strategic, intentional, and dare I say, totally irresistible and absolutely undeniable.
Serving or sabotaging?
So, if you’re still trusting those DIY instincts and throwing together a logo on a Sunday afternoon? It’s time to pause and ask yourself: Is this really serving my business, or is it holding me back? Because, babe, baranding isn’t a place to settle or ‘make do’ — it’s the face of your business. And your business deserves to look damn good, unapologetically, for the people who matter most: your audience.
Trust me, when you invest in your brand, your audience will feel that energy shift, and so will you. Ready to move from DIY to next level? Let’s make your brand unforgettable. 😉
Don't just take it from me, here's what past clients had to say!
”From our first conversation, I knew TGS was going to take care of my brand. Kaitlyn took the time to understand me as a person and what I wanted for my business and helped me articulate how I saw that translating into my brand. She then created branding from my literal dreams and infused so much of my personality into it. I really couldn't be happier. So many people have told me how "ME" my brand feels and that is worth truly any investment.” — Lexi Ryan
“Having worked with Kaitlyn at TGS multiple times already, I knew I didn’t want to use anyone else for my rebrand. She gets me. She had such a deep understanding of my brand and what I wanted to achieve - even clearer than what my own thoughts were! She takes the time to understand your business, its pain points, its value and where you want to take it. Then she does it with such incredible flair. I feel so confident showing up in my business now as I know it aligns perfectly with where I want to be.” — Kate Eloise Cutter
You can feel like that too.
But don’t just take it from me, here’s a few of our fave brands.
