Branding Mistakes to Avoid: Build a Stronger, More Impactful Brand
Branding is more than just a logo—it’s the foundation of how customers perceive and connect with your business. A strong brand builds recognition, trust, and loyalty, while a weak or inconsistent one can leave potential customers confused or disengaged.
Whether you’re launching a new business or refining an existing one, avoiding common branding mistakes is crucial. At Vie Studio, we’re passionate about helping brands stand out through creative and timeless design solutions. Here are the most frequent branding missteps—and how to fix them.
Inconsistent Brand Identity
Your brand identity should be cohesive across all platforms—website, social media, physical spaces, and packaging. Inconsistent visuals, messaging, or tone can make your brand seem unprofessional and unreliable, ultimately weakening customer trust.
Common pitfalls include:
Using different logos and fonts across platforms
Changing brand messaging inconsistently
Failing to align physical spaces with digital presence
Here’s an example:
The Brooks Macdonald Colour Confusion (2024)
When UK-based wealth management firm Brooks Macdonald decided to refresh its visual identity in 2024, it swapped its classic blue and grey branding for unexpected pastel hues like coral and mint green. While modern in approach, the shift felt disconnected from the firm’s heritage and client expectations. The backlash was swift, forcing the company to revert to its original colours within months.
Source: Financial News
How to Fix It:
Develop a comprehensive brand style guide covering colors, fonts, and messaging.
Ensure your website, marketing materials, and physical locations reflect the same identity.
Train your team to communicate a unified brand voice across all touchpoints.
Why It Matters: Consistency creates recognition. When customers immediately recognize your brand, they’re more likely to engage and remain loyal.
Overlooking Interior Design as Part of Your Branding
Your physical space is a direct representation of your brand. Whether you run a café, office, or retail store, the wrong interior design can disconnect customers from your brand experience.
Consider this: Imagine stepping into a luxury boutique with flimsy furniture or a warm, welcoming café that feels cold and sterile. These mismatches disrupt the customer experience.
Here’s an example:
Starbucks’ ‘Modernisation’ (2023)
To modernise its stores, Starbucks removed many of its cosy seating areas and community-driven spaces in certain locations. However, customers complained that the redesign stripped away the warmth that made Starbucks inviting. This demonstrates that interior design should align with the emotional connection customers expect from a brand.
Source: Forbes
How to Fix It:
Align interior design with your brand values—whether minimalistic, playful, or luxurious.
Use brand colors, textures, and visual elements to create a cohesive look.
Prioritize functionality and comfort to make your space welcoming and memorable.
Vie Studio Branding Insight: We specialize in designing spaces that enhance brand experiences, ensuring every element communicates your identity effectively.
Not Having a Strong Brand Story
Customers connect with brands that have purpose and personality—not just products or services. Without a compelling brand story, you risk missing out on emotional connections with your audience.
Here’s an example:
Jaguar’s Fashion-First Approach Falls Flat (2024)
Luxury car brand Jaguar unveiled a high-fashion-inspired rebrand in 2024, but there was one glaring issue—the cars were missing from the campaign. Instead of showcasing the brand’s legacy of performance and innovation, the ads focused on models in couture outfits. The disconnect left consumers scratching their heads.
Source: NBC News
How to Fix It:
Define your mission, values, and brand personality to guide all communications.
Share your origin story: What inspired your brand? What sets you apart?
Weave storytelling into your website, packaging, and marketing materials.
Why It Matters: A well-crafted brand story creates an emotional connection that drives customer loyalty and engagement.
Ignoring Customer Experience in Branding
An impressive logo and website won’t compensate for a poor customer experience. Slow response times, confusing store layouts, or hard-to-navigate websites can all harm your brand's reputation.
Here’s an example:
X (formerly Twitter) and the Identity Crisis (2023)
In 2023, Twitter’s transition to X was meant to signal a bold new era, but instead, it left users confused. The rebrand lacked clarity, with many still referring to the platform as “Twitter” months later. The sudden change failed to consider how deeply customers were connected to the original identity, leading to pushback.
Source: The New York Times
How to Fix It:
Streamline website navigation for easy access to information.
Prioritize quick and clear communication with customers.
Design physical spaces that enhance the overall customer journey.
Why It Matters: Brands that prioritize customer experience create lasting impressions that lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth.
Chasing Trends Instead of Building a Timeless Brand
While it’s tempting to follow the latest design trends, constantly changing your branding can confuse customers and weaken recognition.
Here’s an example:
Tropicana’s Minimalist Packaging Fails (2023)
Tropicana decided to modernise its packaging in 2023, opting for a sleek, minimalist design. But in doing so, it stripped away key visual cues that made its brand instantly recognisable on shelves. Customers struggled to find their favourite orange juice, and sales plummeted—forcing the company to revert to its original packaging.
Source: Medium
How to Fix It:
Establish a strong brand foundation based on core values and aesthetics.
Make thoughtful, strategic updates rather than drastic changes.
Focus on timeless design principles that ensure longevity.
Vie Studio Tip: Trends come and go, but a timeless brand stands the test of time. Let us help you strike the right balance between contemporary and enduring design.
Set Your Brand Up for Success with Vie Studio
Branding mistakes are common, but they don’t have to hold you back. By ensuring consistency, enhancing customer experiences, and staying true to your brand identity, you can create a powerful, recognizable presence that resonates with your audience.
Avoid these pitfalls and let Vie Studio guide you toward branding success. Our team of experts is here to help you build a brand that’s not just visually stunning but strategically sound.
Let’s craft a brand that truly stands out. Book a free consultation with Vie Studio today!
