If a picture is worth a thousand words, then good design is worth thousands of dollars. Graphic design in the form of visual communication you use to garner attention from current and prospective clients.
Design can include graphics, illustrations, typography, and photography. Everything from your logo, business cards, presentation packages, sales packages on your website, online ads, your latest social media post, product packaging, and brand message will rely heavily on how well you implement your design in your business. Design also brings graphics, animations and other visual effects to life in your videos, online courses, across your website, and in advertising campaigns. These are all an essential part of establishing an initial connection to the masses.
Having a seamless and eye-catching design isn’t an easy feat, either, or else everyone would be doing it. Acceptable design practices rely on skill, tact, and a sense of knowing what type of people you’re looking to attract. When a business wants to make a positive and lasting impression, they don’t skimp on design.
Visual branding is the first thing people will see, and it sets the tone for your business. As the famous saying goes, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”
Making it count
You want to pay attention to not only what your design looks like but how it makes people feel and how it works in your overall marketing strategies. The three key elements when it comes to business design are:
Consistency
Staying consistent in your design shows clients that you know who you are as a business. Consistency means choosing and adhering to a colour scheme and typography and never wavering.
Flow
The type of graphics used and how they work together are essential when it comes to design elements for your business. You want to choose pictures that work harmoniously.
Clarity
Your design needs to make sense! You wouldn’t use a cutesy picture of an elephant as your primary logo if your business revolved around profound litigation practices. You want to connect to the right people clearly and concisely.
Key elements to take into consideration
When it comes to communication, the graphic design conveys more than just words to your audience. The simplest design elements can help portray an emotion or feeling that supports your overall message.
Colour scheme
It’s scientifically proven that different colours evoke different emotions in people. For example, blue has a calming effect, while red portrays an authoritative and influential message. Knowing your message and using colour to communicate it will go a long way for your business.
Typography
Font changes everything! The type of lettering you use will be another critical piece of your branding puzzle. You wouldn’t use Comic Sans on serious documentation the same way you don’t want to use a busy font such as Pacifico in an otherwise minimalist design.
Negative space
Sometimes negative space can have just as much an impact as the design itself, and many businesses underutilize it. You’ll want to incorporate negative space into your design.
Scale
Size matters! A big and bold logo might seem like a great idea, but if you’re not trying to convey an “in your face” message, it could be too much.
With curated professional design, the quality of your message increases, and your professionalism becomes apparent. That alone can speak volumes when clients are shopping around for products and services. Your design will be the element that draws them in to do more research. If you don’t value your company enough to invest in professional design, it will be difficult to get potential clients to invest in you!