When your client goes rogue on Canva...

Now, I know that just reading that subject line probably made your palms sweaty, knees weak, arms heavy…

And that’s understandable because as a designer, there might not be a worse feeling than spending weeks putting together a brand that hits the spot, only to see it ruined by a client’s heavy-handed Canva clicks! (No shade to Canva - it’s just typically the go-to for businesses that like to DIY.)

When this situation happens, we designers can be quick to get frustrated with the client and blame them. After all, they’re the ones creating social media posts and flyers using the wrong colours, fonts, and so on.

But if we actually think about it… Is it really their fault, or did we drop the ball somewhere along the way?

Well, I want to talk about my experience with this👇

(For the sake of privacy, I’ll be changing the name of the client and tweaking some details, because this isn’t about shaming anyone - it’s about learning).

A few years ago, I was working on a Branding project.

The client and I were on the same wavelength throughout the project, and because of this, the final result was something we were both really happy and excited about.

It was one of those textbook projects.

But the joy from this project was short-lived…

When I saw the post, my excitement quickly turned to dread… (Cue dramatic music)

While they had kept some parts of the branding intact (like the logo and colours), the font pairings were totally off.

In fact, the fonts they had chosen completely clashed with the visual identity I designed.

Here’s what was wrong:

• The fonts clashed with the brand identity and the body copy was hard to read.

• Inconsistent typography weakened the brand’s image.

• The designs looked disjointed, creating a visual disconnect.

Without guidance, the client’s DIY designs were damaging their brand.

This also affected me both personally and professionally.

It was difficult seeing a brand I had spent weeks creating being used incorrectly.

And, if people saw her social profile, they would assume these font pairings were my design choices.

As much as I wanted to blame the client, I had to take a page out of Michael Jackson’s book and start with the woman in the mirror.

See, when I handed off her branding, I really didn’t give her the tools she needed to succeed.

I sent over the logo files and colour codes, but I didn’t provide any guidance. I’d assumed she’d just know how to use them.

She didn’t. And why would she?

She’s an expert in her field, but she’s not a designer.

It was my responsibility to equip her, and I didn’t.

Lessons Learned

After this project, I knew I had to make some changes.

And I did.

I created a comprehensive brand package template for myself, that I provide to every client at the end of their project, ensuring they understand how to use their new brand.

This includes:

• Detailed font combinations with specific uses.

• Clear brand guidelines to ensure consistency.

• A walkthrough of how to effectively implement their branding.

  
  

And it’s been very handy!

Not just for my clients, but for me as a designer too.

If you’re ready to avoid those painful post-project surprises and want to set your clients up for success, I’ve made the exact Brand Guidelines Template I use available for other designers too.

It’s clean, easy to customise, and bridges that critical gap between design delivery and brand implementation.

👉 Check out the Brand Guidelines Template here.

Your future self (and your clients) will thank you.

Wrapping Up

Watching a brand you’ve poured your time and effort into fall apart in the wild is never easy.

But it doesn’t have to be inevitable.

When you give clients the right tools to use their brand properly, you're not just protecting your work, you're making it easier for them to grow their business.

It’s one of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned as a designer, and it’s completely shifted the way I approach handovers.

If you’re ready to start delivering brand projects that actually stay cohesive long after the final invoice is sent, don’t sleep on the Brand Guidelines Template. It’s a small addition that makes a massive difference.

Chat next week

Abi 😊

Sign Up

How I can help you ⬇️

The Ultimate Toolkit for Freelance Designers ➡️

If you're ready to save hours on admin work, start confidently taking on more projects, and deliver consistently professional results, these proven templates and systems are your answer.

---

Learn the Business side of being a Freelance Brand Designer ➡️

Get my free 5-day email course on the essential systems & processes for working with clients.