Brands these days are going all out with their marketing might to ace the digital race. The competition is high and the benchmarks are going higher every day. The functional sides of things are of course the first ones to adapt and improve.
But there is only a certain limit to which they can upgrade. And when they reach that saturation, it comes down to the aesthetics to make a difference.
The design – that’s what distinguishes your brand from the crowd. Graphic design is what makes or breaks a brand, even though it’s the same as the competition, functionally. This is no secret today in the market’s prominent players.
That is why businesses are always looking to hire graphic designers who are skilled and align with their brand’s vision. Graphic designers help brands resonate with their target audience effectively.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the importance of graphic design in building a solid brand.
The Role of Graphic Design in Branding
A brand is way more than just a logo, a tagline, or a mascot. A brand is an idea. It is an experience that your customer has with your business, your services, or your products.
Graphic design is the carrier of that experience for your customer. Through their visual communication skills, they’re the ones who define your brand’s identity.
First impressions matter. Before a customer reads a word of your content, they’ve already made judgments based on visuals alone. A well-designed logo, website, or advertisement can instil a sense of trust and professionalism in a brand. On the contrary, poor design can deter potential customers.
As the popular saying goes – “First impressions matter”. And they’re not made by words but merely by the glimpse of what you’ve presented at first – the visuals. The subconscious decision of a user is made the moment they see something for the first time. It barely takes a few seconds for them to realize whether they like or dislike what they see.
A meaningful, well-designed logo and other materials leave a great first impression. On the other hand, poor graphics can become the fast-track bridges to your competitors’ doors for your audience.
Additionally, branding is about consistency. Having uniformity in your design on all platforms in every element brings a sense of professionalism.
The colour palettes, the typography, and everything else are set in a thoughtful pattern. That is what creates true brand identity. And that is exactly what you need to hire a skilled graphic designer for.
Graphic Design Elements that Elevate Brand Image
There are some important elements in graphic design that can help you leave a mark on your audience. Let’s have a look at them below:
Color Palette:
Colors create emotions. Emotions create thoughts. Thoughts create decisions.
That is the simple way of explaining how much the right colour combination matters for a brand. Every colour is entitled to have a certain emotion of its own that it emits. From trustworthy blue to energetic red to calming green to chaotic yellow – they all have an emotion! For example, take a look at brands like Coca-Cola, Jet Airways, McDonalds, Subway, etc.
Typography:
The choice of font can be paramount. Fonts like serifs convey old-school vibes and seem more reliable. While Sans-serif fonts come across as more modern and neat. Having an exclusive typeface of your own can set you apart, just like the custom font used by Google!
Imagery:
A picture is worth a thousand words. And in graphic design, every graphic is worth a million words. Having the right kind of visual element – images, infographics, vectors – can go a long way. It can convey what your brand is all about without you having to say a single word.
Layout and Composition:
Who doesn’t like a neatly arranged room? Similarly, a neat and organized layout is important for a user to see what brands want them to see. Your audience must be guided through the content only via key messages. The rest of the communication must remain more visual, and less verbal.
Consistency:
Consistency is the mother of all hacks when it comes to building a brand. From business cards to websites to letterheads to everywhere else – your brand must be omnipresent! This increases recall value and trust factor.
Ensuring that the elements remain the same across all communications is crucial. And that level of consistency is only achieved when you hire a graphic designer with great skills and vivid experiences. They make it easy to reach, resonate with, and convert the target audience.
Benefits of Investing in Quality Graphic Design
In times like these, investing in quality graphic design is extremely vital. Here are some reasons why:
Enhanced Brand Recognition:
Exclusivity and consistency in a brand’s design set the tone for it in the minds of the audience. When you see the iconic Apple logo or the Nike swoosh, you will never fail to recognize the brand.
Consistency Across All Platforms:
Consistency helps users identify your brand everywhere. It could be in channels and spaces where they least expect you to be seen and yet you do. Hence, it leaves a lasting impression.
Increased Engagement and Conversion:
A website with a good design is more likely to gain more visitors. Not only that, it is also more like to engage with the customers and boost CTRs (Click-Through-Rates).
Building Trust and Credibility:
When the designs are high-quality, the brands automatically gain credibility. The customer shall be able to see the work that the brands put in their presentation. This is crucial to come across as clearly a better choice as compared to your competitors.
In addition, when you hire graphic designers, they not only make you those visuals but also help you tell a story. That’s right. Storytelling is the key to strengthening the brand’s identity.
Why Businesses Choose to Hire Graphic Designers
Companies around the world are opting to hire graphic designers as the demand rises. Hiring a skilled designer can solve multiple challenges for your business. The end goal is to make it look as great as you’d imagine it.
Graphic design is what leads to building or breaking brands.
It is what shapes the perceptions of many and influences their decisions. Either way, it is a vital element for branding strategy and it is becoming increasingly important with every next day!
