Agencies charge $5,000 to $15,000 for brand identity work. You don't have that budget. But you still need a name, a logo, a color palette, and a consistent look that doesn't scream 'I made this in 5 minutes.' Here's how to build a real brand identity using AI tools.
| Tool | What It Does | Cost | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claude or ChatGPT | Generates brand name options, taglines, and brand voice guidelines | Free | Sign up → |
| Canva | Creates logo concepts, color palettes, and brand templates | Free | Sign up → |
| Coolors | Generates and refines color palettes | Free | Sign up → |
What to do: Before you design anything, answer these questions using Claude: “Help me define a brand personality. My business is [description]. My target customer is [who]. I want my brand to feel [list 3–5 adjectives like ‘friendly, professional, bold, modern, trustworthy’]. What brands (in any industry) have a similar feel?”
Why you’re doing it: Brand identity isn’t just a logo. It’s a personality that guides every decision — from color choices to how you write emails. Defining it first prevents a random, disconnected look.
What to expect: A clear brand personality profile that becomes your north star for every visual and verbal decision.
What to do: If you haven’t named your business yet, prompt AI: “Generate 20 business name ideas for [description]. I want names that are: [short/memorable/clever/professional/fun]. Check that the .com domain might be available — avoid common dictionary words.”
Why you’re doing it: AI generates volume. Out of 20 options, 2–3 will spark something. You can mix and match, riff off the suggestions, or use one directly.
What to expect: 20 options in 30 seconds. Check domain availability at Namecheap or your registrar of choice.
What to do: Go to Coolors and press the spacebar to generate random palettes until you find one that matches your brand personality. Or prompt AI: “Suggest a 5-color palette for a brand that feels [your adjectives]. Give me hex codes.”
Why you’re doing it: Colors communicate emotion before anyone reads a word. Consistent colors across your website, social media, and materials look professional.
What to expect: A primary color, a secondary color, a dark shade, a light shade, and an accent. That’s all you need. Lock them in and use them everywhere.
What to do: Open Canva, search for “logo” templates, and find one that matches your brand feel. Customize with your business name, brand colors, and a simple icon. Keep it simple — the best logos are the simplest.
Why you’re doing it: You need a logo for your website, social media, invoices, and business cards. A clean Canva logo is better than no logo, and it can serve you until you’re ready to invest in a custom design.
What to expect: 30–45 minutes to get something you’re happy with. Create versions for dark backgrounds and light backgrounds.
Common mistakes: Making the logo too complex. If it doesn’t look good at 50x50 pixels (like a social media profile picture), it’s too detailed. Simplify.
What to do: Prompt AI: “Write brand voice guidelines for my business. Define how we should sound in writing — our tone, vocabulary, and communication style. Include examples of ‘we say this, not that.’ We want to sound [your adjectives].”
Why you’re doing it: Brand voice ensures everything you write — emails, social posts, website copy — sounds consistent and intentional, not random.
What to expect: A one-page brand voice guide you can reference whenever you write anything for your business.
What to do: In Canva or Google Docs, create a one-page brand kit that includes: your logo (both versions), your color palette with hex codes, your fonts, and a summary of your brand voice. Save this and share it with anyone who creates content for your business.
Why you’re doing it: This is your brand bible. It keeps everything consistent whether you’re designing a social post at 11 PM or hiring a freelancer next year.
This workflow is Beta — Based on Best Available Knowledge. Brand identity is subjective, and AI tools create functional starting points — not award-winning designs. This gets you to professional and consistent, which is what matters when you’re starting out.