AI-Generated Logos: Why They Don’t Work (And What to Do Instead)
Lately, I’ve had a few people reach out with AI-generated logos asking if I can “clean them up.”
And look—I get it.
It feels like a shortcut. Type in a few keywords, click “generate,” and boom: instant logo. Something vaguely on-trend, decently symmetrical, and hey, it even has your name on it - slightly misspelled.
But once we dig in, the cracks show up fast.
No visual hierarchy
Off-kilter proportions
Zero originality
I had one client stop mid-call, look at their AI-generated logo, and say:
“Oh… yeah, this isn’t good, is it?”
That moment says everything.
Logos Aren’t Just Stickers
Your logo isn’t just a decoration. It’s a signal. It introduces your brand before you say a word. It sets expectations. It’s part of the emotional handshake between you and your audience.
AI can stitch together some decent shapes. But it can’t:
Understand your market
Speak to your customer’s mindset
Align visuals with your positioning
Make trade-offs based on nuance
And those trade-offs? That’s where real design happens.
Design Isn’t Polishing a Hunch
I also get a lot of “inspiration” decks—10 AI-generated logo variations of what someone already thinks they want.
That’s not exploration. That’s reinforcement.
You’re not opening creative doors. You’re just walking in circles.
Design isn’t about polishing a hunch.
It’s about asking better questions.
What do they need to feel?
What does this brand need to say—without saying a word?
You don’t get that from an algorithm. You get it from listening. From collaboration. From experience.
So What Actually Works?
A great logo is simple, yes—but it's also strategic.
It grows with you.
It earns trust.
It shows up clearly across everything you do.
And above all, it feels right—not just to you, but to the people you’re trying to reach.
That takes more than a prompt.
It takes process.
If you’re looking for a logo that actually works—not just looks like a logo—let’s talk.
We’ll build something intentional, aligned, and built to grow with your brand.
Fairbuilt Design Studio is a perpetual work in progress—and I’m sharing as we go. Here’s the work, here’s how to connect, and I’m over on Instagram, Youtube, and LinkedIn too.