Logos are a pretty typical place people start when thinking about their visual branding. But the truth is, branding is more than just a logo. It’s about the deliberate use of visual cues like colors, images, layout, and typography to make an impression.
And in business, impressions matter!
If you want people to stop and listen to what you have to say, you have to present yourself as someone they want to stop and listen. If you want people to invest in you, you have to look like you’ve invested in yourself. So while you can quickly create a logo or social post on Canva it’s important to stop and ask yourself what kind of impression you really want to make.
And if you don’t have the skills to make that impression on your own, then you probably need a graphic designer.
5 things to consider when you need a graphic designer
Graphic design is a skill, and while Canva is a great tool to help you create beautiful images, its tools can only take you so far. So, if you’re looking to hire a graphic designer, here are five characteristics to consider when choosing you:
1. They have great attention to detail
Really striking design doesn’t happen in five minutes. It takes time and requires careful attention to detail.
If there is the slightest mistake, the logo or image will look a bit out of the ordinary and amateurish. A good graphic designer will check their work over and over to make sure there are no issues with alignment, balance, form, feel, and colour.
2. They’re super tidy
It takes a lot of time, edits and drafts to create a perfect image, so if you need a graphic designer, they have to be extremely organised. If a designer is not organised, their design files and variations will be lost or confused. And before you know it, you’re getting unfinished versions or drafts of work that designers never wanted you to see.
When choosing your designer, be sure to ask how you will receive the work and how it will be labeled, so you don’t waste time looking at the wrong version.
3. They are used to working with different styles
They are not afraid to do things differently and work in different styles than before. Of course, you want a designer who has a portfolio with a style that you really like. But as projects progress, sometimes what’s on your mind changes and you want something completely different.
Designers have their favourite styles, but they’re also used to creating work outside of their comfort zones.
4. They are excellent problem solvers
They are experts in their field and know how to guide you to get what you want. The graphic designer is more than just a tool for you to create the images you want; They are also problem solvers. If something isn’t working, they’ll find a way to fix it and incorporate your “must have” item into the design.
And if they can’t, they will explain the reasoning behind their decision.
If an essential factor is detrimental to your brand image, you’re better off taking their sound advice.
5. They are excellent verbal and visual communicators
Good design is design that works. And good design conveys the right message to the right audience.
A good designer understands how to communicate a message effectively. And not just with the final artwork. They also need to be great communicators throughout the project, so you get designs that amaze you and your audience.
