Why does anyone need a Graphic Designer?
I’m sure you’ve heard someone say “My -family member- is a designer, I’ll get them to make us something.” Or something along the same line. We all know an aspiring designer in some shape or form. And giving them an opportunity to grow their skills isn’t a bad thing to do. But being a designer is more than knowing where to find things in Canva.
Graphic design is a skill like any other. While it requires far less manual labour than a plumber, it does require knowledge and a certain level of understanding to produce an effective end result. Anyone with enough time and patience can learn how to use the programs and tools required to create something. But not everyone understands or would notice those small things that have a BIG impact.
While branding is one thing, one super important thing, but print is a whole other world that requires so much attention to detail to ensure that the final product is what you imagined… or better!
A professional designer should be able to add required bleeds and cut marks to print files. Know the difference between CMYK and RGB colour formats. Understand what a “Vector” format is and when it should be used. Fonts should be converted to outlines before being provided to printers to prevent font issues. High five to everyone that read all those notes above and has had to fix them in the past.
Not all designers know the ins and outs of printing. And not all of them can be expected to either. But I come with all that hands-on knowledge from years of experience in the industry. I’ve operated the machines as well as created the designs printed. I’ve seen what can go wrong first hand and have learned what to avoid. My skill comes with the added benefit of that experience. Meaning less changes or issues with the final product.
Some design choices are universal, while others are not.
A border might fit your branding – but I wouldn’t do that on a business card. Those cards are so small that even 1/16th of an inch off and you will see that border isn’t centred. It stands out to even an untrained eye. But a border should work just fine on larger products like signs.
Fine text on your logo? You’re going to need to be conscious of its size when printed. Will it be legible? Some products, like cut vinyl, may not even be able to use that text if it’s too fine. Some plotter machines may end up destroying those small details. But there’s ways to make it work, you just need to know what you’re looking for.
If you want to focus on growing your business. You want to be a brand that can be trusted. Good design is a keystone aspect of this process…
You want your clients to remember you right. If you would shower and wear your good work clothes to a meeting to show your best self, wouldn’t you want to same for your business? A good a brand design is essentially putting on those good clothes. But if you just do it once it doesn’t mean much. Consistency is key.
Make a good impression! Again, and again, and again…
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