When many hear the words “graphic design,” images of people sitting at drafting tables with protractors and pens come to mind. But graphic design is more than that.
Graphic design is crucial to all forms of marketing and communications. Whether you realize it or not, graphic design has likely hurt or helped your business.
Here are some statistics to consider:
94% of consumers will quickly leave a website with poor graphic design.
The normal attention span for web users is 6.8 seconds. However, the use of high-quality visual assets can improve the attention span.
The human brain processes visual images 60,000 times faster than it processes text.
When people hear a message, they are most likely able to remember 10% of the information relayed three days later. However, when the same message is coupled with a visual graphic, people can remember 65% of the information three days later.
Social media posts that feature visual images deliver a 650% higher engagement rate than plain text posts.
“You never get a second chance to make a first impression.”
How are you getting the word out about your business?
Do you have a website?
Are you posting on social media?
Are you using flyers, brochures or business cards?
Are you emailing potential clients and customers?
Do you advertise, either on a traditional medium or online?
What kind of first impression are you making on potential clients and customers with these tools? What does the graphic design of your marketing materials say about you? Don’t miss an opportunity to make a good first impression with marketing materials that include concise information and high-quality graphics.
Consistency is key.
So, you paid a professional to design your website, and it looks great. But what about your other communications? Are you communicating regularly with your potential clients and customers via email and/or social media? Who is designing those emails? Do the emails and social posts include text but no graphics?
Remember the statistic above – people can remember 65% of information coupled with a visual graphic compared to only 10% with just text. Be consistent with the quality of your marketing materials. Consistency builds credibility.
“Sometimes, you can judge a book by its cover.”
We’ve all felt it, the frustration that comes with seeing a competitor who produces mediocre work product but continues to rake in the business. There are many reasons why this can happen. One may be the image they have created in the mind of their client or customer. Perhaps they have spent thousands on advertising, sponsorships, or business development, and you don’t have a budget that allows you to compete.
Don’t throw in the towel and accept mediocrity over excellence. Your potential clients or customers deserve to know that you offer a competitive high-quality work product, and it is your responsibility to let them know. Graphic design is a great way to set yourself apart from the competition. Get creative.
Can I afford graphic design?
You can’t afford not to invest in good graphic design. You can spend a fortune buying advertisements in magazines and sponsoring industry events. You can even hire an in-house marketing person who is great at formulating a marketing strategy and writing copy. But if the message you are communicating does not include high-quality graphics, you can be sure it’s going in one ear and out the other.
Don’t let your otherwise effective strategy and messaging get lost in the clutter because you didn’t set yourself apart with high-quality graphic design.
In addition to the graphic design included with all our services (website design, social media, email marketing), we also offer a la carte graphic design, such as banners for conferences, event marketing materials, online/digital/print publishing, posters, flyers, and more. Professional graphic design is a must to ensure that you consistently communicate a professional message in a visually appealing and eye-catching way.