“I can just use templates.”
Custom branding for Bluuphoria Creatives by Poetic Designers
So can everyone else.
That’s why you should invest in custom brand design.
Why do I need Brand Design?
I get asked this all the time and I am here to give you my perspective on why on earth you even need brand design.
There have been moments where I have heard that brand designers are the “biggest scam” to have come out from the social media world. Okay, so hear me out.
Think of a company or artist that you absolutely love. Their vibe, their values, their vision. The company makes you feel good when you buy from them. For some reason, you can’t help but click on their posts and read their captions because you want to know more. You love engaging with their posts because you feel like they take your feedback into account. When you go to their website, everything seems so “them”, you recognize the images and colours, and you feel you would be able to recognize it anywhere- that is branding.
None of those things happened by coincidence. Now, are you Nike or Kate Spade? No. Do you have thousands of dollars to spend? No. So you go to “makealogo.com” and generate a logo based on some keywords, limited colour palettes a generic “vibe” such as “ Bold or elegant” and it’s great but it looks so familiar- and I will tell you why.
Your new logo is familiar because thousands of people are using the same generators and templates that you are using and here’s the kicker- you don’t own it. You can’t copyright it and you can’t stop someone from taking your original ideas. Canva for example is one of those amazing graphic design tools with a create-a-logo feature. However, you will never be able to copyright them. In other words: You don’t own them.
Now, this is not a blog post to bash templates, they are an important tool to increase efficiency, and inspiration, create income for graphic designers and make things like graphic design more accessible to people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford to get professional help but there are some impacts of only relying on templates to build your brand.
How does using a Template affect my brand?
A generated logo from logo.com
Unfortunately, the familiarity of templates creates a negative effect when it comes to originality. In a world where more and more people have access to these tools and social media, the harder it is to stand out. The competition is dense, to say the least.
A generated logo from Adobe free Logo maker
The generic templates, logos, and colour palettes begin to blend and that is when your audience may start to think:
“ I’ve seen this before” or “ Oh, another one of these.” that is where your brand designer will come in because, templates are meant to be that-templates- used for inspiration and not regurgitation.
Should I hold off on starting my business until I can afford professional branding?
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Custom brand for Tete’s Hands, a professional child care service baesd in Calgary, Alberta by Poetic Designers
No! Start your business! Starting with a template logo is completely fine ( I did as well)! However, definitely begin to look into professional brand design as an investment for your business in the long term! It will completely change the way you work. Creating will be easier, time will be saved and you will have a clear identity for your business that doesn’t look like anyone else’s!
What does a Brand Designer even do?
Custom Logo for Plants for the People by Poetic Designers
Brand design is more than just a logo. It is creating a personality for your business, and just like how everyone on this planet is an individual, so is your business! No matter if you’re an artist, a small business, an influencer, a medical professional, or just who you are in your daily life, You have a brand!
Your brand designer (could be me * wink * ) is going to work with you to create the experience and feelings you want your customers or audience to have when engaging with your content and absorbing your brand.
There is untapped potential in having your own custom colours, fonts, graphics and strategy, and clear brand voice. When your potential customers open that coordinated package and they want to share that experience on social media “How cute is this packaging? This is so on brand!” and the best part? You actually own it!
Defining your brand and putting in put there in a way you are proud and excited about is where I can help! Your branding should be as special and as unique as you are!
Your Brand Voice
Audience Targeting & Perception
Values
Mission statement
Typography
Content Strategy
Web Design and SEO
Copywriting
Logos & Logomarks
Patterns
Merchandising
Business cards
Packaging
and MORE!
Interested in working with me? I work with businesses and artists of various disciplines, sizes, and budgets so we can give you a competitive edge no matter which stage of your brand journey you are in.
Check out the inquiry form and we can get started!
