How to improve Your DIY Branding with Small, Simple Changes
- Emmelie Coulson
- Nov 4
- 4 min read
Maybe you’re not quite ready for a full rebrand (or the budget that comes with it), but you still want your brand visuals to feel a little more polished and cohesive.
Not to worry, the good news is that with a few small tweaks to your existing logo, colour palette, and fonts you can instantly make your brand feel more professional.
In this blog post I’ve taken a look at loudHer original DIY branding and will show you how I implemented some simple, designer-approved ways to elevate their branding.
Read the tips you can also apply to your DIY brand visuals.
How to improve your logo design
Your logo doesn’t have to be complicated to look professional, but it does need personality.
One of the easiest ways to add that spark is through your font choice.
Look for typography that’s easy to read but has an interesting detail, like a unique curve, a slightly quirky letterform, or unexpected spacing. Those small differences can make your logo feel distinctive.
Try experimenting with:
Mixing two fonts: for example, use one for your business name and another for a specific word to draw attention.
Adding a simple mark or symbol: a small, subtle icon can help your logo stand out.
When applied to the loudHer logo, I first started off with finding a more interesting font. For one option I only changed the “o” to add interest; in the second, I changed the whole second word to shift emphasis.
LoudHer is a voice coaching business but instead of going for clichés like microphones or speech bubbles, I looked at something more abstract, like a line, scribble, or wave that hints at the brand’s energy and story.
You don’t need a full redesign, just a few thoughtful tweaks can make your logo feel intentional rather than “thrown together.”
Related reading: 5 Common Logo Design Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
A cohesive vibrant colour palette
Your colour palette sets the tone for your entire brand, so getting the balance right can make a huge difference.
If you’re already working with a bold colour, keep it as it’s likely doing a lot of the heavy lifting. But if your supporting colours feel “off,” it might be due to undertones.
A few tips for refining your colours:
Choose one bold colour and support it with neutrals. Add a very dark and very light shade instead of pure black or white to soften the contrast and to add some extra personality.
Check your undertones. Warm and cool colours don’t always play nicely together. Use a colour wheel to guide your adjustments.
Try alternative palettes. If you prefer warmer tones, pair your peach and mint with a plum or deeper purple for a more harmonious look.
Looking at the loudHer branding, the original peach and mint have yellow or red undertones that can clash with a cool-toned purple.
Instead, I tried a pink and mint with a blue undertone for a cleaner, more cohesive look.
And a second option where I kept the warmer tones and paired it with a plum.
Choose a brand fonts with personality
Fonts are one of the easiest ways to improve your DIY branding, but they’re also one of the most overlooked.
You don’t have to stick with the default ones your design tool gives you, there are so many great options out there (too many some might say).
Here’s how to approach font selection like a designer:
Match your logo font to your brand fonts. Either reuse your logo font for your headings or pick one that complements it.
Add personality without losing readability. Look for clean fonts with subtle quirks, maybe a slightly rounded serif or a modern sans-serif with character.
Use tools to help you pair fonts. Websites like Google Fonts, FontSpace (filter by free and commercial use), and Fontpair make it easy to test combinations that look balanced.
You don’t have to pay for premium fonts to get a quirky, different looking font. There are hundreds of free, high-quality options that can completely change the feel of your brand.
The font options I provided to Hannah from loudHer were:
Related reading: How to Choose Brand Fonts for Your Small Business Branding
Improve your DIY branding
You don’t have to overhaul your entire brand to make it look more professional.
Small, intentional changes (like refining your fonts, adjusting your colours, or adding personality to your logo) can make your DIY brand visuals feel more cohesive and confident.
Take it one step at a time, experiment, and have fun with it. Your brand can evolve with you.
And if you’d love a head start, grab my free download with 5 punchy, ready-to-use colour palettes perfect for creating bold, cohesive branding that stands out.
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