Rebranding vs. redesign – what's the difference?
Hey Brand fan,
Are you considering revamping your branding?
Then this question usually comes up right away:
Does everything need to be redone, or is an update enough?
The answer lies in a difference that many people underestimate:
Redesign ≠ Rebranding.
🔁 Redesign means: Your brand stays the same—it just looks fresher.
A little bit of new color. A more modern font. New layouts.
Maybe new packaging or UX optimization.
But what you want to say remains the same.
Typical reasons for a redesign:
– You want to appear more modern
– Your look no longer suits your target audience
– Your brand looks old, but you are actually in a great position
💡 Example:
Spotify redesigns every few years.
New typography. New colors. Different layout elements.
But the feeling remains: music, freedom, flow.
No change of identity—just a visual style update.
🚀 Rebranding means changing who you are—not just how you look.
This isn't just a new coat of paint. It's a new core.
New positioning, new tone, sometimes a new name.
And a design that makes this new brand identity visible.
Typical reasons for rebranding:
– New target group
– New products or business model
– You are no longer understood
– Your branding no longer fits with who you are today
💡 Example:
Opel – yes, the car manufacturer.
A few years ago: seemingly only present among the over-60s.
Then came the rebranding:
– New colors, edgy look
– Clear focus on electric mobility
– Suddenly present on Insta, TikTok, and other social media platforms
➡️ New target group. New feeling. New energy.
And: a brand that people are talking about again.
✨ What you can take away with you
– If you simply want to appear more modern: redesign.
– If you are no longer what you used to be: rebranding.
– And if you are unsure what your brand is actually supposed to say – then perhaps that is precisely where the problem lies: at the core of your brand identity.
🏁 Conclusion
Sometimes a fresh coat of paint is enough.
But sometimes you need new walls.
Check: Does your branding still feel like you—or is it just a facade?
If you feel like you've outgrown your brand, write to me.
Maybe all you need is a slight adjustment—or the courage to start over. ✉️ chantalle@boredbrands.studio
See you next week—stay brave, stay real, stay you.
Chantalle
