While advice from a graphic designer about why you need a graphic designer might appear to be self-serving (“Brush Like a Dentist”, says the dentist), there are some things that only a graphic designer is likely to point out.
As a professional, your business will require a lot of you. You need to keep at the top of your game, keeping one eye on the competition and another on your customers. Just like running up a down escalator, if you stop for a moment, you are moving backwards.
Can you afford to stop and learn everything you need to know about your visual brand?
Just as there is more to your business than meets the eye, graphic design is more than a pretty picture. While many people do have good taste, it takes more than a keen eye to present your business properly and effectively on the web, in print and with motion. And with all the things you need to do, there are as many things that you need to avoid to ensure your design is received properly and communicates in the way it should, both technically and esthetically.
Bad design is like a road – full of potholes and cracks, making your journey less pleasant. You don’t enjoy the journey, and once you get there you are probably still thinking about all those problems you encountered along the way. Good design removes the problems that prevent viewers from enjoying the content and helps you get your point across more effectively.
When it comes to a program like Adobe Photoshop, there is a LOT to learn! Just take a look at the dozens of names in the splash image when it opens up. This is not a little photo touch-up app that a couple of programmers decided to throw together to make a little cash on the side. Photoshop is a major photographic editing tool used by professionals worldwide. There is a bucketful of tools to get to know and learn to use properly. Just understanding the tools can take weeks (I’m talking full time, not playing around during commercials while watching TV). Knowing these tools is how it takes a professional a few minutes instead of hours to complete a job.
But that’s just one application. Do you have time to also learn InDesign, QuarkXpress, Illustrator, Quicktime Pro, Dreamweaver, Acrobat and Flash? What about HTML, CSS, PHP and various content management systems?
Make a good impression the first time with an experienced, professional designer who will make you look your best.
Great topic Nick.
Photoshop is a tool. Design is a talent. Anyone can be a competent technician with a tool, but real quality, innovation, and jaw dropping design comes from creative talent.
I always use the analogy of a chainsaw. Sure, anyone can cut down a tree with a chainsaw, but some people can carve a grizzly bear out of a stump with one. Or you can cut your leg off. Do you really want to do that with your business image and brand?
Keep up the good work.
Thanks Rob – I appreciate the comments.
All my design work comes with a guarantee that if you accidentally cut your leg off while using one of my designs (according to instructions, of course) I will give a full refund. Not many design companies offer that…
You are so right. Rob makes a great point to. I unfortunately know people that make things in Powerpoint and then have the guts to ask my professional opinion. Great post!