Graphic design is one of those things that we all think we can do ourselves. There is a huge array of tools widely available that allow people to have a go at designing their own web pages, brochures and branding. It is often not until we start using these tools ourselves and seeing the results, that we realize just how much value graphic designers really bring to the table.
There are a lot of reasons that the work of a graphic designer will outstrip our own efforts, and these are just some of them.
Clear brand identity
In a competitive marketplace, it is essential that your brand is instantly recognizable and stands out from the competition. This is where your brand identity comes in. Your brand identity is the combination of colors, design, logo and business name which solidifies your business and what you stand for in the minds of consumers.
People associate a lot of meanings to colors and images, which differ depending on their background.
A talented graphic designer will not only be able to tell you which colors, patterns and shapes work well together, but they will be able to give you an idea of what they are saying to the people who view them. This means that they can use your brand identity to put across a message about who your company is to potential customers, without them ever having to read a word.
Time-saving
Graphic Designers are experts at what they do, which means that they can do it quickly. It is possible that using all of the many tools at your disposal you could reach the same end product as a graphic designer if you are particularly artistically gifted. However, it will take you a lot longer than it would take a graphic designer who makes their living doing it.
The time you spend trying to design your logo, brochure or website is all time that could be better spent building your business and doing the work that you are best at. In terms of efficiency, it makes much more sense to get a graphic designer to do the design work.
Consistency
One of the most important parts of effective branding is consistency. Having a consistent brand identity across all your social media platforms, office stationery, vehicles, websites and brochures, helps your customers to feel comfortable that you will provide a consistent service no matter how they encounter you. It also means that your brand is instantly recognizable across all channels, which makes communication with your customers much more effective.
Feedback
Graphic designers have experience in design, but also in how people in different industries react to those designs. They can bring this experience to your branding and help you to convey your message in the most effective way.
A graphic designer will be able to provide invaluable feedback on what is working well and what is not. Feedback is definitely something that you want to get as much of as possible, before releasing your branding into the wild and potentially having it impact your customer relationships.
