DIY Visual Branding for your New Business
WRITTEN BY: CLAIRE PEACOCK, FOUNDER, 20 PENCE PRODUCTIONS
You’ve just started your business. You’ve got this brilliant idea that’s going to help so many people. You’re excited, you know it’s awesome, you know you need to build a visual brand - because you’ve seen the big companies do it, and it looks polished, professional and perfect.
So now you’re thinking, I need a gorgeous logo, a stunning website, beautiful social graphics… and I need them yesterday.
Cue Canva!
You jump in, start scrolling through templates and scrolling, and scrolling. Now your head hurts, you’re overwhelmed and you just don’t know what to do.
So what now?
Well, as much as I hate to admit it (because I am not a planner)… you need a plan.
It doesn’t have to be long or complicated. In fact, it should be simple. A checklist you can work through, so you don’t spiral into design overwhelm.
Here’s what you actually need to start strong with your brand:
A font
A colour palette
A logo
A pattern
Canva templates for social media
A one-page website
A clear idea of how you’ll use your brand
Let’s break it down:
Fonts
Pick one that are easy to read. Canva has some good (free) options like Montserrat, Poppins, Lato, Roboto, and Open Sans. These have different weights (bold, light, etc.) which make them versatile for headings and body text.
You might love a soft, elegant script. Great - but check if it’s actually readable. If not, use it in the background in a lighter colour for a nice visual touch without sacrificing clarity.
Colours
Forget the colour psychology rabbit hole. Instead, upload a photo you love into Canva - something that makes you smile. Use the colours it suggests.
Choose:
2 bright colours
1 light colour
1 dark colour
Have a few colours left over? Save these for accents.
Just be careful with those colours, use an accessibility checker (there are lots online) to check which colours work together so they are readable.
Logo
Keep it simple! your business name, in your chosen font and colour. That’s it. You don’t need an icon, a swoosh, or a custom symbol right now.
Create a mini version using just your initials. That can be your favicon (that little icon in the browser tab) or a watermark on posts.
A Pattern
Find something you like a squiggle, dots, lines, anything. Canva has free elements you can use. Patterns add some interest and break up the colours, just don’t over think it – pick one and go with it.
Canva Templates for Social Media
Now that you’ve got fonts, colours, and a logo, create around 10 reusable templates. Use a light background, a bold heading font, and smaller text in a lighter font. Add a line or band with one of your dark colours for contrast.
These will save you so much time. It will help with consistency, when people keep seeing the same style from you, it builds recognition and trust.
And yes, use your face! You are your brand, especially in the beginning. Don’t be shy, I know it’s scary but you can do it!
One-Page Website
You don’t need a full site yet. Canva makes it easy to create a single-page website with your brand style.
Start with a hero image – that’s the big image you see when you open a web page. Then say who you help, how you help, the transformation and have a Call to Action - like book a call
Below that, keep it simple - a short “about” section, how to work with you, and testimonials.
Vary the colour of each section and don’t be afraid to use white in the background – it doesn’t all have to be your brand colours.
How to Implement Your Brand
Actually you’ve already done the hard part of this already. You’ve got your fonts, colours, logo, templates, and a website. That’s your visual brand!
Now all that’s left is to use it consistently.
You don’t need to do it all right away. You don’t need to be fancy. You just need something that’s simple and feels like you, looks clear, and is easy for you to use.
This is your brand foundation. It will evolve, and that’s okay. For now, you’ve got a plan, a look, and a brilliant idea. That’s more than enough to get started and make an impact.
And remember; done is better than perfect!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Claire Peacock is as colourful a character as her name suggests. A self-proclaimed ‘Colourer Innerer’, she loves to work with weird, whacky, wild and creative customers and welcomes all design projects (but specialises in the outrageous ones - seriously, the crazier the better!). Claire is a long-term HoLT member who’s a regular on our weekly social calls, and is always up for the bonkers conversations and endless giggles that come to be expected with our fun-loving community. Find out more about our favourite mischief maker Claire below:
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