Frankensteining: How to Control a Patchwork Brand
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Lauren Atherton
Every week in October, I’m sharing tips on how to survive some of the most common design “horrors” that can live on long past your design project, continuing to haunt your new brand.
Before we jump in, let me be clear—this series isn’t about pointing fingers or placing blame. These nightmares are frustrating for all sides of the project.
My goal here is to help shake out the cobwebs and shine a light into these dark corners so we can create more impactful brands together—and poke a little fun at ourselves along the way.
Now pull up a cozy velvet chair by the fire and join me for a spooky tale.
Today we’re talking about the biggest monster of them all: Frankensteining 🧟♂️
It’s 1am the night before a big donor meeting. The only light comes from your laptop screen as you piece together your final pitch deck.
You pull a little inspiration from here, grab a font from there, stick in a color palette you liked from another site. You sew it all together, hoping to bring a brand to life.
But as you step back and look at the final product, something feels… off. Your brand is a patchwork monster of mismatched parts, stitched together without harmony or vision.
And the real horror? This monster keeps growing.
Over time, more elements are added—new fonts, different colors, another logo tweak here and there. Every time you make a change, the brand becomes more disjointed and dysfunctional.
Instead of a strong, unified identity, you end up with a Frankenstein monster that gets bigger and more confusing with every adjustment.
This is what happens when we Frankenstein a design—combining too many elements without a clear plan. Each new addition or tweak makes the brand harder to manage and less effective—and if you have a team, this constantly changing style is the stuff of nightmares.
Here are some tips to finally put a Frankensteined brand to rest:
- Simplify: Less is more when it comes to fonts, colors, and graphics. Stick to a cohesive set of design components without all the extra bells and whistles.
- Develop a clear brand style guide: Stick to consistent fonts, colors, and visuals that are easy to access and use.
- Use your templates: Invest in PowerPoint or Word templates that your team actually enjoys using.
- Avoid the witching hour: When time is tight, frantic decisions happen. Build in time for someone else to review your designs—it may feel like a luxury, but it prevents costly mistakes.
Stick to a consistent style guide that ties everything together, and you’ll create a brand that feels whole and purposeful, not a growing patchwork of random pieces. But if your brand already feels like a Frankenstein monster, don’t worry—it’s not beyond saving.
Even if your brand is a patchwork of different styles, it’s not totally dead. Often, there are valuable pieces you can still use or build upon to create a cohesive look. A brand assessment can help—let an expert “look under the hood” and uncover what’s working and what needs a refresh. With the right guidance, your brand can come back to life stronger than ever.
Let’s slay that monster together and create a brand you’re proud to show off. Until next time, may your designs be seamless and your monsters stay in the grave!
Lauren Atherton
Related Resources
For more insights on brand strategy and marketing, explore these articles:
Buried Alive: Resurrect Your Message from Layers of Clutter
Chasing Ghosts: Silence the Haunting Chatter of Perfectionism
