The difference between a graphic designer and your cousin who used Photoshop once

What’s the difference between using an experienced graphic design resource versus your cousin that used Photoshop once?

Both have their merits.

Except perhaps your cousin who once did an art project. A bad one.

Everyone wants a beautiful website, a killer logo with to-die for marketing assets – but the fact is that many companies simply aren’t willing to pay professional rates for these things, and they’re doing themselves a disservice. They may instead often ask a friend / relative / employee without adequate training, to “have a go” at DIY design. The results ranging from unexciting and commonplace at best, to absolutely appalling (and commercially damaging) at worst.

Don’t ask your cousin, it will only end in tears. Choose someone who actually knows what they’re doing.

Here’s why:

Graphic designers sell you in the best light

Creating a professional image is the most important reason to hire a graphic designer.

Designers speak the language of colour and imagery. They know the nuances of presenting your business in the manner it warrants and deserves. It only takes a few seconds for a customer to make up their mind about your brand. If your branding is off the mark then you run the risk of potential customers passing you by. If you don't look good or feel good then neither do your customers.

A brand is not only about the graphics or the logo. It's about the company strategy, its mission statement and the visual message it wants to portray. A graphic designer will use their experience to communicate this message to your target audience and create a create brand your customers can trust.

No matter how successful your business is, hiring a graphic designer will ensure you create a successful brand. A brand that your customers and potential customers will want to be a part of and raise your profile above your competitors in the process.

Do what you’re good at and leave us to do what we’re good at

As a business owner, you have enough on your plate already. You are the expert of your business, and a graphic designer is an expert in graphic design. You need to take into account the amount of time it actually takes to come up with a design.

Sometimes the DIY attitude is not always the best course of action. Do you have hours to spend learning a new piece of software, trying to design a logo or a brochure? Does your cousin? A professional designer can come up with a design concept in a fraction of the time with a much better end result. Is the amount of time you'll waste, not to mention the frustration worth it? Nope.

Don’t throw your hard-earned money down the drain

A good quality design will become an asset for your business for a long time. Whereas poor design can have a negative, long lasting impact on your business. 

Not hiring a professional to get your branding right in the first instance can be a costly mistake. Hiring an amateur or doing it yourself, means you will more than likely have to re-brand in the future. Paying for great graphic design first time round is less expensive than paying for poor design over and over again. Not to mention the time you will waste re-branding and detrimental impact on your brand. Graphic designers have all the right tools for the job and will improve your efficiency. They know the most cost-effective printing methods to keep external costs down.

Hiring a graphic designer will save you money in the long term, and you will also get a better result. Great design is an investment and will last the test of time. In the words of David Ogilvy:

 “Pay people peanuts and you get monkeys.”

You’ll get to know your business better (through our eyes)

As a business owner, no-one knows your business better than you, but it is not always easy to explain this in a visual format. This is where a graphic designer comes in. Sitting down with a designer may give you a fresh perspective on your business you know so well. Their job is to take all your knowledge and ideas and create marketing materials that will resonate with your customers. 

Brainstorming with a designer can realise your vision and help you to make informed decisions to go into your marketing strategy. Designers will help point you in the right direction. 

You’ll be delighted with the result

It's a given, good design brings great results. Good looking branding material is a nice to have. Good looking branding material that brings results are even better. 

Hiring a designer will help you achieve your goals. A well-presented brochure will compel your readers to keep turning pages in the same way a good looking, functional website will guide your users through the buying process. Promotional material that is well-designed will reach more people and convert your leads into customers. Infographics that tell the story of a thousand words will be remembered. More customers will recommend your business to others. 

More conversions mean a significant increase in your income.

Do yourself a favour. Take your cousin for a coffee and phone us instead.