Many businesses still don’t understand the importance of proper graphic design. They do not grasp that good graphic design work can benefit their business enormously. The fundamentals of graphic design are either poorly understood, or there is a reluctance to spend on this aspect.
However, what if there is a cost-effective way of achieving great design? The easy answer is to outsource your design work by onboarding a virtual graphic designer to help you build a strong brand identity. Moreover, you could increase your sales simply by displaying the most apposite graphic design. Your packaging would flaunt your logo, brand colors, and all relevant info about the product.
Look for instance at the packaging of Tony’s Chocolonely. This Dutch chocolate brand presents delectable varieties of chocolate. Their whole identity is visible on the packaging. This includes their vehement emphasis on curbing the ill treatment of cocoa producers. Inside each slab of chocolate the producers restate their mission. Also, the brand identity is clear – from the font style of AmericanTypewriter, to the coloring, and the use of infographics. Tony’s Chocolonely thus provides clients with tasty chocolate that is ethically sourced.
Many internationals produce chocolate treats made from cocoa sourced from West African cocoa farms. Some of these farms employ illegal child labor; in other words, they subscribe to modern child slavery. Although this is a sober topic, Tony’s Chocolonely uses bright colors and easy-to-read fonts to educate their clients in a friendly and fun way. Similarly, you too can set your business apart from your competitors with the aid of graphic design. This applies whether you are a small, medium, or even a large company.
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Boost brand awareness
By means of graphic design a business conveys its message visually. Unfortunately, many companies merely copy what others have done − there is no uniqueness in their designs. Moreover, the designs do not tell a story at all, least of all their personal story. However, graphic design correctly implemented can help boost awareness of the brand and increase brand retention. Clients can readily differentiate your brand from your competitors, which can help to boost your sales. Going back to our example, Tony’s Chocolonely is easy to spot on the shelves. This is because their graphic design makes them highly visible and recognizable compared with the other chocolate bars.
Reinforce business credibility
Graphic design covers the complete appearance of the company. However, there is more to the mere graphic elements, namely, the consistency in the design, which builds the brand’s credibility. These same design elements are repeatedly used and reused by following the company’s brand identity guidelines. Such brand identity guidelines refer to use of the brand’s logo, the use of particular colors, and the company’s approved font. Combined, these elements reinforce the brands’ credibility.
Persuading influence
Graphic design also has an important role to play, not only to attract potential consumers, but to persuade consumers to become and remain regular customers. This can be achieved through the message or images used that resonate with such consumers. In other words, the brand is not only memorable through great design − the story that the brand conveys promotes the brand, encouraging consumers to put their trust in a purchase. Also, some consumers may not be interested in the ethics of the business: they may simply be inclined to try the Tony’s Chocolonely which is promoted. A milk honey almond nougat chocolate slab may simply sound delicious. On satisfying their hunger, they then pay attention to the story behind this delicious offering. This can persuade the client to remain loyal to this brand, approving of their ethical behavior.
Depiction of brand’s message
People tend to be persuaded by graphics and other visual elements. However, a simple packaging design for a chocolate bar offers a subtle if not straightforward message that their product is better than the competition’s. Tony’s Chocolonely uses color to stand out from its competitors. Tony’s Chocolonely shows confidence in their product − their logo, which is the company’s name, is repeated several times. Therefore proper graphic design initiates contact with the consumer. You have only a few seconds when the client stares at the options available. You want to be sure that your brand is head and shoulders above your competition, and that its message is clearly conveyed.
Finally
Keep your audience engaged by applying a great graphic design unique to your brand and your brand’s identity. Your unique graphic design will act as a magnet, attracting the consumer to your product and to buy it repeatedly. Hiring an onsite graphic designer can be expensive; likewise it is costly to use a design agency. However, a virtual assistant − a virtual graphic design assistant − is a cost-effective option. In hiring such a talented pair of hands you will save money and boost your brand.