Creating a logo design for your company can seem deceptively simple. After all, it's just a drawing, right? However, your logo must represent your company to customers in a way that is recognizable and memorable. If done wrong, a logo can cast a negative shadow on your business before anyone even buys your product. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when designing your logo.

Having No Message

It's one thing for your logo to be eye-catching, but it has to tell a story as well. If you use striking imagery that doesn't relate to your company in a substantive way, the logo will be easy to forget. That is not good for your company; you want people to remember your logo and what it represents. To make a strong logo, think about what your company offers people, and look for visual ways to represent that.

It is also important that you make an effort to be unique. If you are selling pencils and your entire logo is composed of pencils, the logo makes sense. However, it is also somewhat uninspired. Look for fresh and unexpected ways to represent your company with your logo.

Being Too Visually Complicated

In an effort to be creative, you may find yourself using all kinds of design elements to make a logo that is colorful and exciting. However, you need to be sure that you don't go overboard. When you use too many fonts, colors and shapes, not only does the logo become physically difficult to look at, you muddle your message. Stick with a few colors and one font, preferably a custom one that cannot be replicated by others.

Copying Well-Known Logos

You may think it is clever to do a logo that reminds you of a well-known company in another industry, or uses elements of a well-known logo, but that can be a mistake that you will regret. That kind of logo will make most people think of the well-known company and create unflattering comparisons in their minds. Not only that, but the company with the well-known logo may find out about your company and want to take legal action to make you stop using the logo. 

Now that you are aware of some pitfalls to avoid, start stirring your creative juices and think about what kind of logo would best represent your company. Work with a logo design professional to create a logo that you can be proud of.