Many small business owners decide to save money by taking a DIY approach to design when it comes to branding and marketing. After all, we see how big, successful companies advertise themselves all the time, and we know what appeals to us and what doesn’t – what more can you really get from a professional graphic designer?
As someone who came into marketing with mostly writing-based skills and taught herself all the rest (usually slowly and painfully), I understand this feeling more than most. And sometimes when I’m caught up in the process of creating some new marketing asset for WR, I find myself putting time and energy into the design, striving to make something that looks truly good.
And then I hand it off to our designer and she always makes it look better.
Why?! I’ve been doing this kind of work for years now. How can she so consistently create better visual work than me – and usually do it way faster?
Why My Designer Is (Shocker) Better at Design Than Me
This won’t be a long section, because the simple answer is a combination of both talent and formal training. There’s not a whole lot to be said about the former, so let’s focus on the latter for just a moment: she knows design because she studied design.
What exactly does that mean?
Technical Knowledge & Skillset
As a trained professional designer, she possesses an in-depth understanding of design principles like composition, color theory, typography, visual hierarchy, and branding consistency. Additionally, she is well-versed in industry-standard software like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, ensuring high-quality, polished work.
Strategic Visual Communication
Graphic design isn’t just about making things look good – it’s about communicating effectively. She understands the principles of design psychology and knows how to use design to guide the viewer’s eye, evoke emotions, and encourage actions, leading to better engagement and conversions.
Problem-Solving & Creativity
Her thorough knowledge of design enables her to handle design challenges creatively and strategically, ensuring that the marketing materials she creates not only look good, but also serve their purpose effectively.
Untrained designers often struggle to find the right balance between aesthetics and functionality.
Why Working with a Professional Graphic Designer Is Good For Your Business
Some of the last section already covers this, but here are some more specifics about the importance of good design, and how it both reflects on and can bolster your business:
High-Quality Design Denotes Professionalism
Your marketing materials serve as a direct reflection of your business. Poorly designed graphics, low-resolution images, and mismatched elements can make your business appear unprofessional – or even untrustworthy.
A professional designer has the expertise to create high-quality visuals that both look good and effectively communicate your brand’s values and professionalism.
Consistent Branding Builds Trust
Above I mentioned the possibility of appearing untrustworthy. Well, here’s the flip side of that.
Working with a professional designer ensures consistency across all your marketing assets. A professional will create a cohesive visual identity that includes a consistent color scheme, typography, and design elements that reinforce your brand’s message.
Why does that matter? Because consistency in your branding builds recognition and trust among consumers, making it easier for them to remember and engage with your business.
Custom Design Tailored to Your Needs – and Changing Standards
Online templates and design tools offer convenience, but they lack originality. Case-in-point: many businesses end up using the same generic designs because everyone has the same templates. When your goal is to stand out, this is a particularly bad thing.
In contrast, a professional graphic designer will tailor every aspect of your branding and marketing materials to fit your unique business goals and target audience, ensuring the distinctiveness of your brand. And they have the experience and expertise to know what questions to ask – and what kind of market research and competitor analysis they need to do – so they’re able to do that.
Finally, professional designers understand that design is dynamic, and how important it is to stay current on shifting trends and industry standards.
Save Time and Money in the Long Run
Many business owners assume that designing their own marketing materials will save them money, but in reality, it often leads to more expenses in the long run.
How so? Often, amateur designs need to be redone – something that takes both time and money. However, a high-quality professional graphic designer is far more likely to get it right the first time. And even if you have notes, they tend to be faster and more skilled at addressing those notes.
Compared to DIY, using a professional also allows you to focus on running your business – rather than spending your valuable time struggling with design tools.
Adaptability Across Multiple Platforms
Marketing today spans a plethora of platforms, from various social media outlets to websites to print materials and advertisements. A professional graphic designer knows how to create adaptable designs that maintain quality and consistency across all channels.
Similarly, designers will understand vendor specifications and requirements – prepress, color gamut, file type, crop/bleed, and so on – for print products, ensuring things look right on the first try (yet another thing that saves both time and money!).
Essentially, they know how to make sure your brand looks professional whether it’s on a smartphone screen, a business card, or a billboard.
The bottom line here is that investing in a professional graphic designer is investing in your brand’s long-term success. High-quality, strategic, and consistent design can make the difference between blending in and standing out in a crowded market.
If you want to establish credibility, attract customers, and create a lasting impression, working with a skilled graphic designer isn’t just a luxury, it’s a necessity. Want to check out just a few examples of the fantastic visual work our designer has done? Head on over to our graphic design portfolio.
