We hear you, that quote made your eyes bug out a little bit, didn’t it? Graphic design is expensive and as business owners ourselves it can be difficult to see those dollar signs as an investment instead of a cost. A brand done right, however, can be the best investment for your business. We call branding a business tool, like your CRM, or your bookkeeping software. A good brand, and some fabulous graphic design to go with it, can lower the cost of acquisition for your customers.
Now, to make sure it functions the way you need it to, there is some upfront investment. We are specialized and educated in our field like you are the expert in yours.
Imagine ordering a 5-tiered wedding cake. You want it to be extravagant!
You want it tailored to you so that it represents you and your wedding’s theme. You desire delicious fillings & smooth frosting that everyone will rant and rave about.
So, where do you order your cake?
From an established, recommended bakery or from Jane Smith that you found online who uses boxed cake mix and canned frosting?
The established bakery has trained pastry chefs who have the experience and knowledge to bring your cake dreams to life. They have invested in the education and equipment to manage such a large project with ease.
They spend hours baking, mixing, filling, freezing & decorating until you get your 5-tiered work of art that is everything you ever wanted.
But what if you went with Jane Smith? You may have saved some money, but you are not guaranteed that the cake will turn out to be what you want. You might end up with a sloppy, 2-tiered cake that guests will eat but nobody will remember.
The same goes for Graphic Design; let’s take a look!
Education
Hobbies are great and all, some people can even become experts in their hobbies. It can take a lot of time and self-learning to get to a professional level.
Taking a graphic design program is a sure-fire way to boost your knowledge and ability. A degree in the field will always let potential clients know you are a serious professional. Graphic design is expensive, but the knowledge and education is invaluable.
You spend time learning about art, design, typography, colour theory and graphic design history! Not to mention how to use the powerful programs that make graphic design possible.
You can also become certified in Canada with the Design Professionals of Canada. For this certification, you must apply and pay a fee. They check your proof of experience and your portfolio. This certification is for experienced, professional graphic designers.
Think about how technology changes. Anyone working with technology will have ongoing training to keep up with the latest software.
All education takes time (years, even!) and costs money, but you will get all the proper tools you need to be successful and stay successful.
Equipment
As graphic designers, we don’t use industrial ovens and a zillion muffin tins, but we do need a well-appointed computer.
For starters, we need the means to effectively communicate with all our clients. Remember those programs I mentioned earlier? The Adobe Creative Suite is industry-standard software. They are huge, powerful and always updated with new technology. This not only helps us make our visions come to life but provides clients with all of the different file types they need to have a successful brand.
Do you know the difference between a raster and a vector?
Experience
Experience also plays a big role in the cost if you want a well-established company to help create your brand.
Your designer will spend hours on research. Combine that with what they already know, your business and your goals to create a brand that will help bring your ideal customers to you.
The ability of professional, well-educated, experienced graphic designers to get the job done properly makes the return on investment for business owners priceless.
Still think graphic design is expensive?
If you’re ever concerned about pricing, deliverables or all the different options available to you and your business, we are always happy to help!