What You’re Getting Wrong About Graphic Design Services
It’s safe to say that graphic design services have come a long way.
Digital marketing is on the rise. That means you’re no longer limited to paper-based products such as banners or flyers. Now, your imagination can stretch far and wide thanks to software tools that make it possible to create almost any design you want. That means it’s time to change the way you look at your graphic design services.
Are you tapping into the full potential your team has to offer? If not, you could be missing out on a valuable opportunity to attract new prospects and keep current clients engaged.
Today, we’re discussing five things you may be getting wrong about your existing graphic design services, and how you can re-adjust your focus for the better.
Ready to learn more? Let’s dive in!
1. Under-Emphasizing Images
From your logos to your marketing campaigns, images play a major role in your how your company represents itself. If you’re not tapping into the power that they provide, you could be losing out an opportunity to connect.
Let’s take a look at a few reasons why.
The Power of Visuals
Studies reveal that content containing images gets up to 94% more views than text-based content. It’s also remembered by 80% of people, versus text at 20% and audio at 10%.
To borrow a marketing term, that means images make your collateral “stickier.” Your audience remembers them longer, so the next time they see those visuals, your brand comes to mind.
Web-Based Designs
Now, it’s easier than ever to share your best designs on the web. If a visitor happens upon your site, you want to capture their attention quickly. If your design incorporates too much text, you could lose their attention.
Do you have a social media presence? Consider incorporating your a few eye-catching images into your posts, as well as your email marketing blasts, to stay top of mind.
Planning to roll out a multi-level marketing campaign? That’s the perfect time to take a look at where your designs can best be displayed.
The Power of Print
Though the web makes it easier than ever to create and share your images online, you should also incorporate them into your print-based design services as well.
Research reveals nine-in-ten designers still work print-based components into their offerings.
In this case, the mantra “make new friends, but keep the old” rings true. A balanced marketing plan should incorporate both print and digital graphic design services, so don’t be afraid to ask what your designer can do.
2. Assuming It’s a One-Way Street
Perhaps Michael Jordan said it best with “Talent wins games, but teamwork wins championships.”
Your graphic design services are provided by top-notch professionals. They have the power to turn your ideas into revenue-generating, head-turning collateral.
Yet, for all their talent, they are not mind readers.
The most important part of the graphic design process is the collaboration that takes place between the service provider and the client (that’s you!).
Initial Design Discussions
Before colors are chosen and the first pen stroke is drawn, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss how you plan to use the design. You’ll also describe how it fits into your company’s vision for the future.
One of the most common ways to communicate these ideas is by developing a creative brief.
This document outlines your design plan and answers important questions such as:
- What is this project’s purpose?
- Who is the audience?
- What are the specific due dates and deliverables?
Don’t hesitate to create this type of plan with your graphic design services provider before you begin. Making sure everyone is on the same page can help avoid time-consuming and costly re-work in the future.
Ongoing Collaboration
From there, it’s important to collaborate with your designer throughout the process, not solely at the beginning. Keep lines of communication open so if you have a brilliant idea, you can express it immediately.
This helps to make sure that you and your teams agree on the final product. Waiting until the finished design is revealed before you express your feelings can be a recipe for disaster.
3. Leaning Toward “More is Best”
With so much capability at your fingertips, it can be tempting to go overboard with your graphic design services.
New software and apps are stretching the limits of how we traditionally define “design.” It’s exciting to think of all the ways we can use these features in our campaigns.
Incorporate just the right amount, and your designs are future-focused and innovative. Take it a little too far and your message could be lost amid the chaos.
Keeping it Simple
When finalizing your graphic design services, consider if your approach is realistic, or if you’re looking to do too much within the environment.
Ultimately, your visual marketing should help customers identify your brand. Think about the iconic logos and other company designs you remember the most: The Nike swoosh, the Golden Arches, the Mac Apple, etc.
The element those have in common? They’re simplistic, building an organic connection that’s anything but fussy and overcrowded.
Taking an Objective Stance
Are you tempted to use a ton of bright and bold colors? What about heavy, ornate font? Before you make a decision, look at the images through the eyes of your target consumer.
Are you drawn to it because it’s interesting and compelling? Or, are you just intrigued by the complexity? If the answer is the latter, you may want to consider a more minimalistic approach.
Your designer will be able to tell you if you’re on track with your ideas or not, so be sure to keep collaboration open.
4. Blindly Following Trends
Sure, hipster fonts and vintage-inspired designs are all the rage at the moment. Does that necessarily mean they are a good fit for your company? Maybe not.
One of the top mistakes you can make when using graphic design services is to attach your company’s image too closely to what’s hot or popular right now.
In advertising, you’re often up against a slew of other companies offering products and services similar to yours. In that case, why blend in when standing out can help you turn a profit?
Encourage your designer to look at other companies in your industry for inspiration. Then, inject a heavy dose of personality and style to break the mold.
Adopting a Company Persona
Not sure what design will meet your needs the best? Try coming up with a company persona.
Are you the friendly next-door neighbor offering accessible and down-to-earth advice? If so, ditch the glitz in favor of a more simplistic, wholesome design that conveys that message.
Or, are you a first-class debutante, oozing style and affluence? A more elegant font and ornate design might be just what you’re after.
Rather than blindly following trends that others are doing, consider how you want your customers to remember you, then go from there.
5. Not Tapping into Tech Potential
We’ve touched on it a little already, but just what are some of those new tech-savvy tools that are changing the graphic design services game?
In short, they’re sleeker versions of the tools designers have always relied on — just better.
The Rise of Smart Tools
Consider, for example, the regular, old pencil of yesteryear.
It’s now replaced by the Apple Pencil, a stylus that allows designers to turn their iPad Pros into a near-limitless space for creativity. Together, these smart tools are what’s known as the designer’s “must-have toolkit.”
There are also thousands of apps designed to give designers color and style inspiration. These can help them brainstorm ideas, make mobile design mockups, and more.
Regardless of whether your graphic design services provider uses these exact tools, it’s likely they do have a ton of knowledge when it comes to what’s out there. They will also where the future of the industry is headed.
Failing to tap into this potential could do your company a disservice. Be sure to ask your graphic designer which software and tools would be a good fit for your campaign.
Need Graphic Design Services? Start Here!
Are you ready to take the next step with your marketing campaign? Do you want to use powerful design to build on your message and capture your audience’s interest?
If so, you’ve come to the right spot.
We’re a marketing, web, and design company dedicated to helping our clients stand out and get noticed, for all the right reasons. We’ll work with you to create an end-to-end marketing strategy, incorporating elements of online, print-based, and even photography media.
To learn more about what we can do, don’t hesitate to contact us. Let’s draw a stronger future for your company together!