Are you thinking about launching a new business (how exciting!) or refreshing your existing one (pretty damn exciting too)? That’s great! One of the first things you’ll need is a solid brand identity to build your brand. But what exactly is brand design? And why is hiring a brand designer more beneficial than designing your own brand? Let’s explore!

What is brand design?

Brand design, or branding, is more than just a cool logo or a catchy tagline. It’s the entire visual and emotional experience people have with your business. From the colours and fonts you use to your website’s look and feel, every element communicates who you are and what you stand for. Basically, it’s your brand’s personality, story, and values all wrapped into one neat package.

The difficulties in designing your own brand

Creating a brand identity might sound like fun—and it is!—but it’s also a bit of a tightrope walk. You may face challenges that you weren’t thinking of prior to starting, here’s just to name a few:

Originality:

Standing out in a crowded market is no small feat. It’s easy to blend in with the sea of competitors if your branding isn’t unique.

Strategic Thinking:

It’s not just about what looks good. Your branding needs to align with your business goals, target audience, and market positioning.

Time and Expertise:

Effective branding involves a lot of research, design skills, and a deep understanding of market trends. As you can imagine, it’s not something you can whip up in an afternoon.

Consistency:

Keeping your branding consistent across all platforms such as social media, website and print materials can be tough. Inconsistencies can even confuse your audience and dilute your message.

Hiring a brand designer vs designing your own brand

We just talked about the difficulties in building a brand and even if DIY projects are fun, building your brand’s identity is one area where hiring a professional really pays off. Let me tell you why:

Expertise:

Brand designers live and breathe branding. They have the training and experience to create a cohesive, compelling identity that resonates with your audience.

Objectivity:

Sometimes, being too close to your business can cloud your judgment. Hiring a brand designer would bring an outside perspective, helping you see things you might miss.

Efficiency:

Time is money! A pro can develop your brand identity faster and more efficiently than you could on your own, freeing you up to focus on other aspects of your business (or attending your weekly pilates class or spending time with your children).

Professional Quality:

First impressions matter. A polished, professional brand identity can make all the difference in how potential customers perceive your business. Imagine Coca Cola without its iconic red colour or Nike without its swoosh…

Benefits of hiring a brand designer

When you hire a brand designer, you’re not just paying for a pretty logo, you’ll get so much more than that:

Strategic Insight:

Designers conduct market research and competitor analysis to ensure your brand stands out and speaks to the right people.

Visual Consistency:

They create a cohesive look across all your marketing materials, from your website to your business cards and other kinds of collateral.

Storytelling:

A good designer will help you craft a brand story that connects with your audience on an emotional level so there’s a higher chance they’ll be interested in your brand for long-term.

Longevity:

A well-designed brand can grow and evolve with your business, saving you money in the long run by avoiding frequent redesigns. Trust me, you don’t want to change your branding every few months.

Support and Guidance:

Designers provide brand guidelines, ensuring that everyone involved in your business understands how to use the brand elements correctly.

You see, investing in a professional brand designer is one of the best decisions you can make for your business. Not only will you end up with a stunning, cohesive brand identity, but you’ll also gain a strategic partner who can help your business thrive in the long run. So, if you’re ready to take your brand to the next level, consider bringing a brand designer on board. Trust me, it’s worth it!

If this article convinced you and you are ready to start your branding journey, contact me at Studio OAX and let’s create something amazing together! If you’d like to explore your brand vision further before hiring a pro, my FREE 12-step guide on how to build a brand might be the right thing for you!

x, Lara