What to Do When a Design Client Asks You to "Fix" a Logo They Made with AI
As a brand designer, it can feel extremely frustrating when a client sends over a logo they made with AI and asks you to recreate it, fix it, or even simply use it in a design project.
Brand and logo design is the exact work that you approach with deep strategy, intention, and expertise. You spend hours refining the details during your projects. You’ve probably even invested an immense amount of time and even money into building your branding skills. And now it seems like clients don’t care about any of that. It feels like instead of trusting an expert (you), they’re going behind your back and trusting a robot instead. Instead of making an investment in an original design that will truly help their business grow, they’re choosing a cheap, easy, often downright bad shortcut.
While AI-generated logos from clients might seem like the new norm, I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be. Let’s talk about how you can regain control in your design business.
First, decide where you stand.
Whether or not you’re willing to recreate AI-generated logos or designs from a client is entirely up to you.
I’m going to start with a breakdown of important things to keep in mind if you do want to offer services to “fix” AI-generated logos. If you have no interest in doing this, and want to skip ahead to strategies for declining these projects and educating clients, click here.
A few reasons designers may be willing to fix AI-generated logos from clients:
Flexibility and approachability: it may be beneficial to work with a client alongside their AI use in order to pave the way for a positive long-term relationship with that client
One piece of a larger custom design project: if you’re designing a custom website for a client that used AI for their logo, maybe it doesn’t really matter if they have an AI logo; they still hired you and trust you for a custom website design.
Fixing it is better than leaving it: obviously, generating a logo with AI isn’t ideal. But if they’re going to do it, maybe you can at least help them get a vector version, full logo suite, print and web colors, and proper logo files.
Money: let’s face it, sometimes we need to take on less-than-ideal projects simply because we could use the extra income, and there is no shame in this at all.
If you’re willing to be flexible and recreate AI logos, there are still some important policies you’ll want to have in place to protect yourself (which I’ll get into below).
But if you don’t want to touch an AI-generated logo/design with a 10-foot pole, that’s also completely fine, and there are ways to communicate your stance and even potentially shift a client away from their AI logo and towards working with you on custom design instead.
Important policies to have in place when working with AI-generated designs
Regardless of where you stand (whether you want to help fix AI logos or not), your contract should include some key clauses to protect your design business.
(I need to pause right here and add a disclaimer that I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. For official advice on wording and legality for your business and contracts, please consult an attorney.
I also highly recommend grabbing the Contract Club* for lawyer-drafted contract templates, including an entire library of AI-related contact clauses!)
All designs you create are your own original concepts
Every design contract should include a clause that states that all custom designs you create are your own original concepts and, to the best of your knowledge, do not infringe on the rights of any third party.
The client has the right to all design assets they send you
It’s also important to include that all project assets provided by the client are either owned by the client or they have the right to use them. This can help protect you in the event that a client sends you a logo they don’t have the right to use, and then the original designer wants to pursue legal action later.
This is important not only with AI-generated design, but any assets they might send you, such as copy for a website, logos of sponsors or partners, photos for a brochure, etc.
Limitation of liability
You need your contract to state that you cannot be held liable for any infringement caused by the client’s use of the designs created.
Business insurance
Contracts aside, I would also highly recommend that you carry business liability insurance. (Yes, even as a solo designer, regardless of if you’re a sole proprietor or s-corp or anything else!) AI or no AI, if things go awry with a client or anyone else, you want your business protected.
I’ve had business insurance since my second year in business, and continue to renew it every year for the peace of mind. With all of the work and investments I’ve made in my business, it’s not worth the risk to not have it. My insurance is through Hiscox, but there are loads of companies you can purchase it from.
How to manage expectations when “fixing” or recreating a client’s AI-generated logo
Clear, transparent, honest communications are incredibly important, and always go a long way for fostering a positive relationship with clients. So if you’re willing to take on projects “fixing” or recreating clients’ AI logos or designs, it’s important to set a couple expectations.
Let the client know about ownership implications
As designers, at this point we’re pretty aware of the implications AI presents when it comes to copyright, ownership, and trademark-ability. We all know that AI doesn’t create; it generates based on other designs it’s seen all over the internet. In most cases, a logo or design generated by AI cannot truly be owned by the client, and they won’t be able to trademark it. (You can read each AI platform’s policies to double check and read more information about this.)
We know this. But the fact is that many clients do not know this. Remember, clients aren’t designers. They don’t do our work or follow our industry news every day like we do. So what often seems like common sense to us is not always to clients, and that doesn’t mean they’re silly or stupid.
It just means that it’s very important for us to make sure they understand this information before they start working with us. You need to clearly tell your client that just because you are “fixing” the logo using your design software, that doesn’t mean they will be able to trademark the design, because the design was originally generated by AI.
Why do you need to tell the client this? It’s always important to be transparent in order to set expectations; this way, the client doesn’t expect to be able to trademark their design, then get mad at you later when they can’t, even though you recreated it.
Educate the client on the value of your work
Just because a client started with an AI-generated design doesn’t mean they don’t value professional design at all. After all, they’re asking you to “fix it,” so they clearly understand that it doesn’t quite meet their needs.
Even when you’re willing to work with the client, this is still a huge opportunity to do a bit of approachable education around the value of design, which may incentivize the client to just go straight to you for custom design in the future (and skip AI altogether).
What does this look like? You can be transparent with the client that while you’re recreating an existing design, they should know that doesn’t mean it’s a quick and easy process. It will still take you a significant amount of time to redraw and/or vectorize the logo, add necessary variations (like horizontal, vertical, round), create black and white versions, create a proper print + web color palette, and export proper logo files.
Charge accordingly
With the above being said, don’t be afraid to charge accordingly for this work. While this may not cost as much as custom design, it’s a significant investment of your time and kills, so it probably costs more than the client is expecting. You’ve got your work cut out for you to make that AI logo usable.
How to decline work fixing/recreating AI-generated logos and designs from clients
If you’re on the side that doesn’t want to touch AI-generated designs at all, that’s totally fine! You don’t have to. Personally, I’m not willing to fix or recreate AI designs in my business either.
I see this as pretty much the exact same situation as a client sending me a sketch that they drew and asking me to “bring it to life.” Or sending me a logo that was started by another designer and asking me to finish it. (It probably goes without saying, but I won’t do either of these things either.)
How to explain to a client why you won’t fix AI-generated logos
Start by citing your contract
Whether it’s an AI-generated logo design, a sketch, or a half-started logo made by someone else, as we talked about up above, your contract should state that all designs you create are, to the best of your knowledge, original and not infringing on anyone else’s copyright.
When it comes to AI, you can’t guarantee originality, because AI only generates based on existing designs. So, you would potentially be breaking your own contract if you were to recreate an AI-generated design for the client.
Again, this is the exact same reason I personally cite for why I wouldn’t continue working on a half-finished design that another designer started, as it’s that designer’s intellectual property.
You’re not a pixel pusher
The next reason you can provide for why you’re not able to “fix” AI-generated logos is simply that you are a strategic brand designer. You can explain (in a kind way!) that when a client hires you for branding, you collaborate with them on custom design that they can fully own and trademark and that’s completely unique to their business. That means you’re starting with a strategic conversation and you’re creating original concepts. With custom branding, their business will be much better equipped to attract their target audience. It will also last much longer, as opposed to needing a redesign in a couple years, or running into issues with not having the right files or colors.
Personally, I always let my clients know that if they have an idea in mind, we’ll discuss it during their strategy meeting and determine whether or not it makes sense to incorporate it into their design. But if they have an exact vision (such as an AI logo), and they just want a designer to recreate it, I’m not the best fit for that type of work.
In my experience, over the years I have had a handful of prospective clients ask if I can “bring a sketch to life” for them. The above is exactly how I respond. Sometimes the client understands and appreciates the intentionality of my process, and is willing to scrap their sketch and work with me on custom design. Other times they really just want what they’ve sketched, and in that case they’re not a good fit and we don’t work together. And you know what? That’s okay! Not every client is your ideal client. That doesn’t mean they’re a bad client. It just means you’re not right for each other, at least not at this time.
Remember to be nice
This all doesn’t need to be an abrasive lecture type of conversation. You can say all of this calmly, kindly, and approachably. All you’re doing is letting the client know how they can work with you, and then the ball is in their court.
What’s most important to remember is that, again, the client is not a designer. When they ask you to “fix” an AI-generated design, they’re not trying to offend you or upset you. They’re just doing what they think is most efficient and best for them, and honestly, they’re probably trying to save money. (And that’s understandable! Stuff’s expensive these days. We’re all trying to cut costs where we can. Can you blame a client for wanting to do that, too?)
There is no benefit to responding to these requests in a snarky way and telling a client off for using AI. As we’ve covered here, education is totally fine, as long as it’s done in a kind and professional manner.
If a client isn’t willing to go through your process, they’re simply not the best fit for you. Who knows, maybe in a year or so when they have a higher budget, more experience, and their AI design has run its course, they’ll come back to you because you were approachable and willing to help them understand how design works.
How to stop clients from using AI to send design feedback or upload your design proofs to AI
These situations can feel frustrating, but they don’t mean your project or design business is doomed:
AI-generated questionnaire answers
AI-generated design feedback
AI-generated logos or designs for use in projects
Clients editing your design proofs using AI
By approaching these proactively with both understanding and confidence, you can still work smoothly with your clients.
AI tools have brought a whole host of new challenges to our design projects. But the way we navigate challenges in our design businesses is the same.
Your business isn’t doomed. Your clients aren’t “bad,” nor are they devaluing design. You just need to put some new policies in place. Let’s talk about how.
This is a 1-hour video training that was recorded live on June 12, 2026.
In this training, I share commonly-occurring situations where clients use AI in a way that feels like it’s hindering the project, and what you can do to stop these things from happening and maintain positive relationships with your clients. (And it involves more than just adding clauses to your contract.)
You’ll learn how to approach these challenge with both firm boundaries and kindness towards your clients.
This training includes:
Immediate access to the 50-minute video training (recorded live on June 12, 2026)
Written wording templates for all of the scripts and templates covered in the training
A recommended resource for AI-related contract clauses for designers
Written transcript of the video recording
When it comes to working with clients in the age of generative AI, things can even start to feel out of our control during the design process, even with clients that have hired you for custom design projects!
Unfortunately, it’s become all too common for design clients to use AI for things like generating answers to branding questionnaires and project forms, generating feedback on design proofs, or even uploading your design proofs to AI to make edits and send them back to you. (All of these things are a huge no-no for me personally!)
Fortunately, when you’re dealing with a paying client who’s doing these things, you have a lot more opportunity to nip them in the bud and even completely prevent them from happening before they even start.
In my video training “AI Boundaries for Designers: Navigating Client AI Use During Design Projects,” I cover exactly what policies and communications to put in place to proactively prevent:
Clients providing AI-generated questionnaire answers
Clients sending AI-generated design feedback
Clients editing your design proofs using AI
It also includes the exact email template I use to tell a client that I’m not able to “fix” their existing AI-generated logo design.
This training shares how to approach these challenges with both firm boundaries and kindness, so that you can maintain control of your design projects and maintain positive relationships with your clients.
*A note that the Contract Club link is my affiliate link. When you use my link to join the Contract Club, I may earn a small commission which allows me to continue to create awesome content and resources for you. Thanks in advance for using my affiliate link!
What to do when a design client asks you to "fix" or recreate a logo they made with AI.