The value of graphic design – working with a professional designer

If you ever wonder what the value of graphic design is and how it benefits a growing business, you’re in the right place. There are a number of surprising ways that a graphic designer provides value. In this article, I discuss some of the hidden values of working with a professional graphic designer.

Your trusted creative adviser – a valuable member of your team

Graphic designers don’t just create stunning visuals. Our knowledge includes understanding both traditional and digital marketing. When working with me, I’ll advise on the best approach for each part of your marketing plan, helping you to achieve your business objectives.

I’ll become one of your trusted advisers.

The value of graphic design – hiring a designer can be the catalyst for instigating much needed discussions

As a business owner or leader, you know when those essential business values, culture and brand ethos need refreshing. Especially during times of growth and change. That’s the time to get your senior team around the table.

At the start of any logo/branding project, I’ll meet with the leadership team and ask questions about where the business is heading. For example, I will ask to look at the core company values, competitor brands, and your customer needs and feedback, all of which informs the design brief.

This creates a perfect opportunity to bounce ideas off me, helping you to align your thinking around company growth, values and culture. I may challenge some of your thoughts to gain some deeper insights, and to get a clearer idea of your ultimate goal.

A designer can be the catalyst for instigating needed change, realigning your brand ethos and visuals, and helping you develop an effective marketing plan.

Sessions like this, where we reaffirm values, are as valuable for team building and morale as they are for the design project itself.

The value of graphic design – other hidden values that Designs Like These provide:

Design brief guidance:

Many people aren’t sure how to write a design brief, so I often write the brief for my clients, advising on effective design solutions to align with your business objectives, culture and values.

Project/change management:

A good designer will smoothly guide you through the project process, taking you from idea to reality. As I bring your ideas to life, together we are creating positive change that boosts morale within the business, all while creating your client facing materials. It’s an exciting time for us all!

Plus, my network of preferred suppliers – such as illustrators, sign writers, copywriters, and photographers – will ensure that your finished designs have the ‘wow’ factor you need.

Designers enable:

I make things happen. Hiring me brings accountability and motivation to meet your project deadlines. I keep the momentum going to see the project through to the end.

• Scenario: Your new logo still isn’t on external signage. You’re busy on other more pressing tasks. But we need the new signage in place to photograph for your new website. The entrance is a mess and needs decorating. The urgent photography needs would push that task to the top of the list, ensuring your website is completed on time and benefiting the business as a whole, providing visitors and staff with a far more pleasant experience on arrival.

When in-house tasks, like amending signage, slide down the priority list, they often get permanently paused and never become a reality. That can be demotivating. But luckily, designers enable action!

Fresh ideas, original thinking:

Working with a designer can spark creative thinking in other areas of the business.

For the design materials to look on point, I need to know the project objectives. This conversation often brings up questions that instigate a change of approach. Bringing in creative thinkers benefits the business in more ways than simply the design deliverables.

For example, the method of distribution is often overlooked in a design brief. Once addressed, this can change the brief and instigate a more innovative approach, sometimes saving money. Or an alternative operating procedure to improve communication may be identified simply through the process of working with a designer.

Collaborative thinking bonds teams:

When working on brand identity and branded materials, designers ensure that the materials are consistent. Naturally, this requires your team to agree the approach. Collaboration amongst team members that don’t normally work together strengthens alliances and opens up new conversations, which helps to make change easier to establish and more widely accepted.

Technical skills:

Most graphic designers use industry specific software to create your designs. I certainly do, which means I understand how to set type, use fonts, and know how to implement brand guidelines. And I know how to prepare files for digital online use or for printing.

This technical knowledge allows me to create a wide range of branded marketing materials for you. Not just logos and corporate stationery, but leaflets, brochures, conference material, campaign branding, social media imagery, website design, digital and printed advertising, company report designs, merchandise, book covers, publication artwork, magazine design, newsletters, calendars, graphs and charts, infographics, and presentations.

Ultimately, I produce visually appealing marketing materials that are both professional and created specifically for your target audience.

So, when you have a new product campaign to deliver, or need to refresh your brand to attract your ideal customers and grow your business, I will make you aware of all the hidden values and possibilities. That process has the added benefit of reigniting interest and excitement within your teams. It’s a win:win situation! To find out how Designs Like These will help your business grow, please contact Nikki at Designs Like These.