BrandingStrategy
5 Visual Identity Mistakes Indonesian Startups Make
From derivative logos to unscalable colour palettes, here are the branding pitfalls we see most often — and how to avoid them.
Rama Wijaya·March 17, 2026
## Mistake 1: Copying the Unicorn Next Door
Inspiration is fine. Imitation is slow suicide for a brand. Your visual identity should be ownable, not recognisable because it looks like someone else.
## Mistake 2: The Startup Blue-Purple Gradient
This palette says "tech company" but nothing about *your* tech company. Start with strategy, not trends.
## Mistake 3: Logos That Don't Scale
If your logo looks bad at 16px favicon size or on a billboard, it's not done yet.
## Mistake 4: Ignoring Typography
Font choices carry enormous cultural weight. The wrong typeface can make a premium brand look cheap.
## Mistake 5: No System Thinking
A logo is not a brand. You need colour, type, spacing, photography style, illustration, and tone-of-voice all working together.