In the beginning, a brand is fragile. From its inception, a brand must be properly cared for or it will die. A brand is alive, and you are its parent. You create it, but you do not have control over it. You can push it one way or another. You can influence it, talk to it, teach it how to speak, but in the end the true shape of the brand is molded by its surroundings. You may own the trademark, but the consumer truly controls the brand. Below are five quick and easy ways to ensure your brand dies before it gets off the ground.

Lately, throughout miles of threads on design forums and in countless blog posts, one debate has captivated, angered and emotionally impacted pretty much everyone in the creative industry. Well, it turns out, there is more to the topic.