Custom Illustrations: Storytelling

In branding, storytelling is everything. It’s how you connect with your audience, convey your brand’s values, and differentiate yourself from the competition. One of the most powerful tools I’ve found for enhancing brand storytelling is custom illustrations. Unlike stock images, which can feel disconnected from your brand’s narrative, custom illustrations are created specifically to tell your story, making them a perfect fit for your brand’s message.

Custom illustrations allow you to visually represent your brand’s story in a way that resonates with your audience. They can capture the essence of your brand’s personality, convey complex ideas simply, and evoke emotions that strengthen your connection with your audience. For instance, when I create custom illustrations for a brand, I’m designing visuals that align with the brand’s story and values, making the brand’s message more impactful and memorable.

One of my favorite examples of this is a project I worked on for a client who wanted to highlight their restaurant that relayed a message of “going home,” memories of the energy in their aunt’s kitchen, and a commitment to sustainable, high-end cuisine and food products. We created a custom illustration that visually represented their practices and vision. This illustration was used across their website, social media, and packaging, creating a cohesive narrative that reinforced their brand’s commitment to nostalgia sustainability. The result was not only a stronger brand identity but also increased customer engagement and loyalty.

If you’re looking to enhance your brand’s storytelling, custom illustrations are a great investment. Start by identifying the key elements of your brand’s story that you want to convey, then work with an illustrator to bring those elements to life visually. With the right illustrations, you can create a more engaging and memorable brand experience.

Custom Illustrations: Creating a Personal Touch

In today’s fast-paced digital world, brands need to be memorable to make an impact. Custom illustrations are one of the most effective ways to achieve this, offering a unique visual identity that stock images simply can’t match. When I create custom illustrations for a brand, I’m crafting visuals that are specifically designed to reflect the brand’s values, personality, and story—something stock images can never do.

Stock images, while convenient, often lack the personal touch that custom illustrations provide. They can feel impersonal and generic, and since they’re available to anyone, they don’t help your brand stand out. On the other hand, custom illustrations are made exclusively for your brand, ensuring that your visuals are one-of-a-kind. This uniqueness not only helps in differentiating your brand but also makes your content more engaging and relatable.

Custom illustrations are also incredibly versatile. They can be used across various platforms, from your website and social media to marketing materials and packaging. This consistency in visual identity strengthens brand recognition and creates a more cohesive brand experience for your audience. For example, I recently worked with a client who wanted to create a consistent look across their online and offline materials. By using custom illustrations, we were able to tie everything together visually, resulting in a more unified and professional brand image.

If you’re looking to elevate your brand, I highly recommend considering custom illustrations. They not only provide a unique and personal touch but also enhance your brand’s storytelling and engagement. To get the most out of custom illustrations, work closely with your illustrator, ensure the illustrations align with your brand’s message, and be open to creative ideas. With the right approach, custom illustrations can help your brand shine in a crowded market.

Custom Illustrations: Elevating Brands

When it comes to branding, custom illustrations can be a game-changer. They allow your brand to stand out in a crowded market by offering something that’s truly unique. Unlike stock images, which are often used by multiple brands and can come off as generic, custom illustrations are tailored specifically to your brand’s story and values. This personal touch not only captures the essence of what you stand for but also connects with your audience on a deeper level.

One of the biggest advantages of custom illustrations is their ability to enhance brand storytelling. When I work with clients, I always emphasize the importance of visuals in telling their brand’s story. Custom illustrations offer a way to visually represent the core message of your brand, making it more relatable and memorable. Whether it’s a quirky character that embodies your brand’s personality or a detailed scene that tells your brand’s story, custom illustrations can convey complex ideas in a simple and engaging way.

For instance, I recently collaborated with a client who was launching a new product line. We decided to create custom illustrations for their packaging, which not only made the product stand out on the shelves but also communicated the brand’s values and story at a glance. The illustrations were also used in their social media marketing, resulting in a noticeable increase in engagement and brand recognition.

If you’re thinking about incorporating custom illustrations into your branding, start by finding an illustrator whose style aligns with your brand. Be clear about your brand’s story and what you want to convey, and don’t be afraid to give the illustrator creative freedom—this often leads to the best results. With the right approach, custom illustrations can be a powerful tool in your branding arsenal, helping you connect with your audience and stand apart from the competition.

Custom Illustrations: Benefits in Branding

Branding is an ever-evolving creature, which means standing apart is more important than ever. One way I've found that truly elevates a brand’s identity is through custom illustrations. Stock images can sometimes be generic and overused, but custom illustrations offer a unique touch that tells a brand’s story in a way that can connect deeply with people. When I create custom illustrations for clients, I’m not only drawing but also creating a visual narrative that captures the human essence of their brand.

Custom illustrations are incredibly versatile. Whether used in logo design, on a website, social media, or printed marketing materials, they bring a cohesive and personalized feel that stock images simply can’t match. They’re also an excellent tool for enhancing a brand’s story and mission. By injecting custom illustrations into a brand’s narrative, I create a more engaging experience that helps the company and its audience get sucked into a deeper level of the brand’s personality. I’ve seen firsthand how these visuals can capture eyes and cause people to leave with a solid memory of a brand.

SEO: Projects with SEO Growth

As a designer, I like to look for ways to showcase my work and the impact or results they have. With SEO, the right design can make a significant difference in how a website performs in search rankings. I’ve seen firsthand how strategic design choices can boost a site's ranking with Google, its visibility, and its traffic.

One example that comes to mind is a project I worked on for a local dog walking and nanny business that wanted to improve its online presence. I focused on creating clean, responsive designs with optimized images and clear, descriptive alt text. The result? Not only did the site look great and match the client’s vision of the brand, but it also saw a noticeable increase in organic traffic within just a few months of launching.

Another project was with a local custom jewelry maker who used natural, raw materials. I implemented SEO best practices throughout the design process. This included compressing images, using descriptive alt text, and ensuring fast load times. The site uses a lot of images, making fast load times an essential task for me. This approach led to a significant improvement in their search rankings, ultimately driving more sales through increased visibility.

These examples highlight the importance of integrating SEO into your design process. It’s my job as a designer to make digital assets work better for both users and search engines. When the elements of great design and SEO strategies are combined, the results can be truly transformative for clients.

SEO: Alt Text, File Names, and More

Some very simple yet mostly overlooked aspects of SEO for graphic designers are the proper use of alt text and file names. There are some best practices in regard to these tactics. These elements may seem minor, but they play a significant role in how search engines interpret the content of a website and rank the content.

Let’s start with alt text. This is the text that appears in place of an image if it doesn’t load and is also what screen readers use to describe images to visually impaired users. It’s not only about accessibility here. Alt text is also a key factor in SEO. By including relevant keywords in your alt text, you’re helping search engines understand the context of your images, which in turn boosts your rankings. Just remember to keep it natural and descriptive; keyword stuffing can do more harm than good.

File names are another critical component. Before uploading any image, rename the file to something that describes the content in general terms. For example, instead of sticking with a generic name like “image-xyz.jpg,” change it to something like “donut-logo-business-name-here.jpg.” Separate each word with only hypens. This not only helps with SEO but also makes your files more organized and easier to find later. I include the business name at the end of the file name in order to draw more attention from Google.

Incorporating these small SEO tweaks into the design process can make a big difference in how your work is recognized online.

Social Media: Branding

Social media branding is a big deal these days, and it’s not just about being active on every platform out there. The real purpose is creating a look and vibe that’s consistent and instantly recognizable, no matter where your audience finds you. When your visuals and messaging are on point across the board, you’re telling a story that people can connect with. This is what helps to keep them coming back.

One trick I’ve found super helpful is using branded templates for social media content. Whether it’s a story, a reel, or just a regular post, having a template to use as a good foundation ensures everything looks like it belongs together. It’s like having your own style guide, but for Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, or Facebook. This not only saves you time, but it also makes your brand feel sleek and look consistent, which is huge when it comes to building trust with your audience. A consistent-looking brand is everything.

When you’ve got your social media branding down, you start to build a loyal following who know exactly what to expect from you. They see your posts and instantly recognize your brand, even before they see your name or logo. That kind of recognition is what sets successful brands apart. If you check out some of the big name companies with amazing social media presences, you’ll notice they’re consistent and they’re memorable. Their profiles are carefully curated to reflect their unique style, values, and tone, and it totally pays off in engagement and trust.

If you’re ready to step up your social media game, focusing on your branding is where to start. You want to look good online, yes. But you also want to create a whole experience that keeps your audience coming back for more. I’m here to help you craft a strategy that makes your brand stand out and provides real results.

SEO: Optimizing Images and Graphics

As a graphic designer, you’re likely already paying close attention to the quality and aesthetics of the images and graphics you create. But if you want your work to reach a broader audience, optimizing these elements for search engines is a step you need to check off your project list.

Image optimization starts with the basics: file size, format, and resolution. Large images can slow down a website’s load time, which negatively impacts SEO. By compressing images without losing quality, you ensure faster load times, which search engines love. I usually use Adobe Photoshop and use this pathway: File > Export > Export As, and then adjust the file size and choose the file format from there. Formats like JPEG or PNG are generally preferred for web use, depending on the type of image and the level of detail required.

Next, I consider the file names and alt text. Descriptive file names help search engines understand what the image is about. Instead of naming a file “image1.jpg,” opt for something more descriptive like “modern-logo-design.jpg.” Also, I include the company name at the very end of the file name, with each word separated by hyphens. Similarly, alt text should be clear and specific, explaining what the image shows in a way that’s helpful to both visually impaired users and search engines.

Incorporating these SEO best practices into your design process doesn’t just make your designs better—it makes them more effective in driving traffic and improving search rankings. It’s a small change with a big impact on how your work is discovered online.

The Business of Color: Color Accessibility

Color accessibility in design is more important than ever in 2024. As a designer, it's necessary to ensure that everyone, including those with visual impairments, can interact with your creations in a fluid, easy manner. This year, some states have made it law that websites and digital content must meet specific color contrast standards, font sizes, and more. This is a big deal for all of us graphic designers. When I’m working on logos, websites, or any other graphics, I’m constantly thinking and reminding myself about how color choices will affect all users. It’s not only about making visually stand out to me. Making sure it’s accessible to everyone has taken priority. By following these guidelines, not only are we creating inclusive designs, but we’re also staying ahead of legal requirements, which is a win-win for our clients and their audience.

When it comes to implementing color accessibility, there are a few key practices I tend to keep in mind. First, I make sure that the color contrast ratio between text and its background is high enough to be easily readable by people with visual impairments. Tools like contrast checkers like Coolors are incredibly helpful for this. I also avoid relying solely on color to convey important information, like in charts or buttons, by adding patterns or text labels to ensure clarity for everyone. Don’t forget about testing designs with real users whenever possible. There are forums and groups available for you to ask for people to test out your site and get feedback about it’s accessibility. This hands-on approach gives human insights that tools can’t provide.

We have the power to create experiences that are not only visually stunning but also universally accessible, which is becoming an increasing expectation in our industry.

Rebranding

Rebranding is more than just a font change and a tweak of the shape of the current icon—it's a strategic, creative process that brings a sense of refreshment to your brand. As a graphic designer, I understand the impact a well-executed brand or rebrand can have on your company. Today, I want to share my thoughts and ideas about the art of rebranding and how it can transform your business identity, helping you attract more clients and stand out on the “crowded shelves” of the current market.

Every business evolves, as it should. Whether you're expanding services, launching new products, or simply refreshing your image, rebranding can be very powerful. It's about aligning your brand with your current values, goals, and position in the market. For many businesses, a rebrand is necessary when the existing brand no longer resonates with the target audience or genuinely represents who the company is.

The first step in rebranding is understanding how the brand is perceived and identifying areas for improvement. What do people think when they encounter your brand? What do they feel? What do they react to? And, in contrast, what do they not react to? What isn’t matching up for them with the visual representation of the brand versus the products and services offered? This involves market research, analyzing the competition, and customer feedback. By gathering this data, a strategic plan can be created that addresses the areas of improvement in your current branding. Your logo, color palette, typography, and overall design aesthetic are the critical elements of your brand identity. A rebrand often includes redesigning these elements to ensure they reflect your updated brand message. As a graphic designer, I specialize in creating logos and visual elements that capture the face and voice of your business.

In today's digital age, your website is the very first thing that people see and the very first experience and interaction they have with your brand. An outdated or poorly designed website can really harm your brand’s credibility and cause potential clients to run (not walk) to the better-looking and more trustworthy brand next door. By refreshing or redesigning your website, we can enhance the user experience and ensure it aligns with your new brand identity. Social media is also quite powerful for connecting with your audience and building brand loyalty. A rebrand involves updating your social media profiles with new graphics, consistent messaging, and a cohesive visual style. This unity across all platforms not only sets the foundation of your business but also allows you all the room in the world to build higher and higher.

From business cards to brochures to posters and billboards, every piece of marketing material should reflect your brand identity. Consistency is key! It is an absolute must to do this in order to build a lasting impression on your audience. A successful rebrand can bring a multitude of benefits to your business, like increased visibility, improved credibility, stronger connections, new opportunities for growth, and impressing the target audience and competitors. A fresh, modern brand can better capture people’s attention, build trust, and generate a good reputation in the community.

Rebranding is an art that requires a generous blend of creativity, strategy, and expertise. Trust yourself, your intuition, and your creativity to transform a brand and take businesses to places they never thought they’d elevate.

SEO: The Basics

When it comes to graphic design, we often focus on aesthetics, like how things look, feel, and connect with the audience. In today’s world, there's an equally important factor that designers need to consider, which is SEO, or Search Engine Optimization. SEO is for web developers, content creators, and us (designers). It plays a super important role in how our designs perform online.

At its core, SEO is about making sure that search engines like Google can easily find and rank your content and website as a whole. For graphic designers, this means that the images, graphics, and overall design elements we create must be optimized to ensure they contribute to a site's visibility. When done right, SEO can drive more traffic to your site, increase engagement, and lead to more business for you.

But how does this relate to design? Well, every image you create, every piece of visual content, is a chance to enhance your SEO. By understanding how search engines work and what they look for, you can design with a dual purpose—capturing the viewer's attention and pleasing the search engines. This approach not only improves your designs' effectiveness but also boosts your clients' online presence. It’s a win-win that we designers should be taking into account and doing our best to implement tactics across the board.

Social Media: Advertising

Social media advertising is a powerful tool for brands. For designers, we have a key role in making these ads work well and end in results. Designing with intention and understanding how each platform operates is key here. Whether you're working on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn, the challenge is to create ads that not only grab attention but also drive action through calls to action. Get audiences motivated to do something; to interact above the level of “liking.”

On Instagram, visuals are the main attraction. Ads here need to be bold and eye-catching because users are constantly scrolling through content. I focus on making images or videos that stand out by using color contrasts, strong fonts, and clear messaging. Remember, Instagram is a mobile-first platform, so designs should be optimized for smaller screens. Facebook ads allow for even more storytelling than Instagram. They can be more detailed with a mix of visuals and text. The focus here is to keep it engaging and relevant to the target audience, especially if you are using a good amount of content in the designs. LinkedIn ads require a more business-forward tone of voice. Design visuals that are polished but still interesting enough to catch the eye of professionals scrolling through their feed. Understanding these very important details helps create effective ads that get users to become a part of the brand’s story.

Print vs Digital: Color Management

Color management is part of the print and digital design processes, and as a designer and business owner, I’ve come to understand just how essential it is to get it right when I’m working on print or digital projects. When designing for digital formats like websites, social media graphics, or logos, the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) color mode is usually used. This model is perfect for screens because it’s based on their lighting settings. The colors are vibrant, and the design usually looks exactly as intended when viewed on a monitor. However, when I switch gears to work on printed materials like business cards, flyers, or any other printed marketing collateral, the color mode must be changed. Print design requires the CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) color mode, which is based on ink colors. The transition from RGB to CMYK isn’t always a seamless journey, and colors can shift or lose their vibrancy if not carefully looked at.

In my experience, one of the biggest challenges in color management is ensuring that the colors I choose for a brand's logo or marketing materials look consistent across all pieces. This means that the deep purple you see on your screen needs to transition to the same shade of purple on your printed business cards. It’s not as simple as just converting the color profile in your design software; it often requires tweaking and sometimes even adjusting your color palette slightly to achieve the desired outcome. For every project, especially those involving both digital and print components, I spend extra time setting up the correct color profiles right from the start. This attention to detail pays off, ensuring that whether a client’s logo is displayed on their website, printed on a business card, or featured in a social media campaign, the colors remain consistent and true to the brand.

Proofing is another critical step I’ve implemented into my processes to maintain color accuracy in printed designs. Even with the best color management practices, what you see on the screen isn’t always what you’ll get on paper. That’s why I always recommend test prints or proofs before pulling the trigger on printing the entire run. Running a proof allows me to see how the colors will actually appear in print and make any necessary adjustments before it’s too late. This step is especially important for printed marketing collateral, where the look and feel of the final product can greatly influence a brand’s impact. By taking the time to test, adjust, and test again, I can confidently deliver designs that not only look great on screen but also maintain their visual integrity in print. I want to ensure that my clients' branding is cohesive and eyecatching across the board.

Print vs Digital: File Prep

When designing for print and digital graphics, getting the file preparation right is an absolute must. Each medium has its own requirements, and understanding those differences is important to making your final work come out as pristine as possible.

print design

The first thing I always do is set the files to CMYK color mode because that’s what printers work with. If you leave your files in RGB, you might end up with colors that look completely different once they’re printed. I also make sure the resolution is set to 300 DPI so everything is sharp and clear. Anything less, and your design could come out looking fuzzy or pixelated, which looks super unprofessional.

Another thing to keep in mind with print is setting up margins and bleeds. Margins ensure that important elements don’t get too close to the edge, so nothing gets cut off, while bleeds allow for any slight shifts during printing. Without these, your design might look great on screen but could be a mess when printed. It’s those little details that really make a difference in the final piece.

Digital design

I prepare my files in RGB color mode because that’s how screens display color. The resolution doesn’t need to be as high as in print. Usually 72 DPI does the trick since screens don’t need as many pixels to look good. Plus, keeping the file size down is extremely important for making sure websites and social media pages load quickly. Your audience will rarely wait around for a slow page to load.

You’ve got to think about responsiveness too. I make sure my designs are adapting to different screen sizes, whether it’s a desktop, tablet, or smartphone. In our world today, where everyone’s using so many different devices, having a design that looks good everywhere is not only a consideration but a necessity. Whether I’m working on logos, websites, or social media graphics, knowing how to prep files properly for each subject is needed for delivering results that impress clients. Paying attention to these details ensures that the final product looks professional, consistent, and impactful, no matter where it’s seen.

Typography: Advanced

Typography goes far beyond the sometimes extensive research it takes in selecting great fonts for designs. It's really an art form that shapes the emotional connection between your design and the viewers. Through the thoughtful and intentional use of typefaces, spacing, and layout, a designer can give birth to a whole experience for audiences. Over the past decade, I've found that typography techniques can create a world that can enrapture. Whether it's a logo design, website design, social media accounts, or printed marketing material like business cards or flyers. One thing I still (since college classes) absolutely love is playing with the contrast between serif and sans-serif fonts to create visual interest while maintaining readability. This contrast can make a logo pop or a website feel more immersive, commanding the eyes.

Understanding the power of hierarchy is another critical aspect of advanced typography. In any design, especially for logos, websites, or printed materials, how you form and arrange your text is paramount. By adjusting font sizes, weights, and spacing, you can subtly direct attention to the most important information first, which then leads the eye through the layout, creating a natural flow. Think of your design as a conversation; the most critical points should be loud and clear, while the supplemental details can be “quieter” but still essential. We, especially in the U.S., intuitively know to read left to right, and you have the power with the use of typography to control the audience in what direction to read. Whether I'm designing a website or generating social media graphics and strategies, I always make sure the typography not only looks fantastic and clear but also communicates effectively.

Branding for Startups

Starting a new business is an amazing venture, filled with so many opportunities and plenty of challenges. One of the most essential steps in this journey is establishing a strong brand identity. Speaking from the experience of starting my own business and creating my own brand identity, I’m passionate about helping new business owners create a brand that not only stands out but also speaks to their business and their target audience.

Branding is much more than a logo and a catchy tagline. It’s the soul of your business. For startups, a compelling brand identity is the main driver for making a standout first impression and building trust with potential customers. Your brand is the story you tell the world.

Just like with interviews and meeting anyone for the first time, the competitive world of startups allots you only one chance to make a great first impression. A strong brand identity helps you capture attention and convey how professional you are right from the beginning. When potential customers encounter you and your brand (remember that you are an extension of your brand), they should immediately understand what you stand for and feel confident in your offerings.

A well-designed brand speaks that you are serious about your business and committed to delivering precision and quality. I can’t stress how important it is to build trust in order for your new business to establish a foothold in the market. A cohesive brand image provides reassurance to customers that they are making the right choice by engaging with your business and paying for your services.

Your branding is what sets you apart from competitors, along with the particular way you provide your services and/or products. It highlights what makes your startup unique and why customers should choose you over others. The brand should communicate what differentiates you clearly and effectively. A powerful brand connects with people on an emotional level. It's not just about what you offer but how you make people feel. By creating a brand that resonates emotionally with your audience, you can go beyond mere transactions and create what I like to call customer-friendships. Emotional connections foster brand loyalty and turn customers into advocates for your business. People enjoy working with likeable people, and if you provide great services, those customers are more than happy to continue to come back for more.

My love comes in when designing striking logos that encapsulate a brand's soul. I also love taking that soul and injecting and expanding it into websites that provide an engaging online experience. Other extensions include digital marketing services, printed marketing materials (business cards, flyers, branded folders, envelopes, truck wraps, billboards, and more), and social media channels. I’ve had so much help in becoming a successful business owner with faithful clients, and I feel called to help other startups succeed. It’s about community for me.

Branding for startups is about aesthetics and creating a meaningful and lasting identity that resonates with the target audience. Whether you need a new logo, a website, social media graphics, or other marketing materials, I'm here to help your startup thrive.

Social Media: Advanced Visual Creation

Creating advanced visuals for Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn is all about understanding what works best on each platform and how to make your designs stand out. As designers, we know that while looks are important, the way people engage with our content is just as critical.

For Instagram

This is your creative playground. You can be more fun, playful, casual, and nonchalant here. It’s where bold, high-impact visuals really shine. I like to mix in bold designs amongst very impactful posts that focus on imagery and video. It creates contrast and gives a huge opportunity in creating a cohesive feed that’s diverse and on brand. Video is also huge on Instagram, so short clips or animated graphics can really boost your visibility and SEO. Experiment and have fun in the Instagram world. You can always research away and find other brands that have inspiring feeds and posts to help influence your creativity.

for Facebook

Think about storytelling. When I design for Facebook, I often use a combination of images and text overlays to create a journey that pulls people in. Carousels work great here too because each image can tell a piece of the story and drives the viewers to follow through to the end, which means increased engagement. Don’t forget that Facebook has some cool features like 360-degree photos and videos that can make your content more immersive.

FOr LinkedIn

Keep things professional but still eye-catching. Infographics are super effective, especially when they’re clean and data-driven. Showing the public facts is pretty powerful. The trick is to balance professionalism with creativity. I like to use a very limited color palette. For instance, using one of the brands primary colors and just one accent/secondary color. Video also has importance on LinkedIn, so creating short, informative clips can deliver your message in a way that grabs attention.

Tips and tricks

On Instagram, think about how colors and striking photographs can evoke the right emotions. On Facebook, try testing different visuals to see what your audience likes best: photos, flat graphics, short videos, infographics, etc. For LinkedIn, using subtle motion graphics can add life to your designs without going overboard. Images also work just as well on this platform.

Mastering advanced visuals for these platforms is about understanding their unique vibes and pushing your creative boundaries while still connecting with your audience.

Print vs Digital: Typography

My approach to typography for print design differs slightly to sometime significantly from digital design. In digital formats like websites or social media graphics, the priority is often readability on screens of various sizes, which means choosing fonts that are web-safe and look good at different resolutions. I also have to consider how typography interacts with responsive design, ensuring that the text remains legible, readable, and visually appealing whether it’s viewed on a desktop, tablet, or smartphone. When working with print materials like a business card, flyer, or brochure, the choice of typography is influenced by factors like paper texture (glossy, semi-glossy, matte, etc.), ink absorption, and the size of the printed piece. I have to be mindful of how the type will be produced on different types of paper, as certain fonts that look great on screen can appear too thin or completely lose their details when printed.

One of the key lessons I’ve learned in my years as a graphic designer is the importance of testing and adapting typography for where it will live. For example, serif fonts, which can add a classic and elegant touch to print materials, might not translate well to digital formats where they can appear less readable at smaller sizes, especially on a smartphone. Sans serif fonts often take priority in digital spaces due to their clean lines and modern feel but may lack the personality needed for the printed pieces. To ensure that my clients' branding is consistent across both print and digital platforms, I always start by selecting a versatile typeface and then adjust the spacing, weight, and size based on the specific requirements of each medium. This meticulous approach is important to take into account while I’m designing a logo, a website, or printed marketing collateral. The typography needs to look great and also needs to effectively communicate the brand’s message across all platforms.

Graphic Design Tools: Canva Basics

Now, other designers, don’t kill me for this. I know…Canva. I will preface this by saying that I work with helping a lot of small businesses get going with immensely necessary startup items; logos, websites, social media, printed marketing material, and more. I definitely use Adobe Creative Suite programs for my designs, but when it comes to setting these clients up for future success (they usually don’t have additional funding for ongoing help and maintenance at this point in their business), I include training in how to use this free tool to create future social media graphics, design flyers, edit video, and more. This is discussed in the initial meeting and added to my quotes. Trust me, when I started my own business, free was what I had to grab onto until I started gaining traction. These clients appreciate free as much as I did in the beginning.

Although there are pre-designed templates, I tend to create designs like social media posts from scratch in Canva. I can then show clients how to take my “templates,” make a copy of them, and then customize them for their future posts. I’ve established their brand pre-Canva, so I take it into Canva and set them up with a good visual foundation of graphics to run with.

Understanding the Workspace

Canva is designed with simplicity in mind, making it accessible even if you have no prior design experience. The intuitive interface, with its drag-and-drop functionality, makes it incredibly easy to use with some practice and tinkering. You can quickly create professional-looking graphics without needing extensive design skills. One of Canva’s standout features is its huge library of free templates that help my clients in that it provides them with a customizable foundation. We all know that a blank canvas can be daunting at times. With thousands of customizable templates, you can find designs for logos, social media posts, business cards, presentations, and more. To get started, begin by browsing the template library. Choose a template that fits your brand’s style and customize it to suit your needs. This can save you a lot of time compared to starting from scratch. Canva’s drag-and-drop functions make it easy to add images, text, and elements to your design. Simply click on an element and drag it into place. Make sure your designs align with your brand’s visual identity by customizing the colors and fonts to match your brand’s guidelines. This helps in creating a cohesive look across everything you create for your company.

Another reason Canva is perfect for startups is its collaborative features. If you’re more than a one-person show, Canva allows you to collaborate with your team in real time. You can share your designs and get feedback, ensuring everyone is on the same page. Whether you need a logo, a social media banner, or a flyer, Canva has it ready to go. The variety of templates and elements available means you have a lot of design freedom.

Personalize your designs by uploading your own images. Whether it’s your logo, product photos, or team pictures, adding personal elements can make your designs more authentic and engaging. Explore the Elements tab for icons, shapes, and illustrations. These can enhance your design and make it stand out more. Familiarize yourself with Canva’s keyboard shortcuts to save time in the design process. Remember, you’ve got a business to run on top of taking care of your marketing. For instance, pressing ‘T’ adds a text box, and ‘R’ adds a rectangle. Use Canva’s grid and alignment tools to ensure your design elements are perfectly aligned, creating clean and professional designs. You’ll see bright pink, pre-set margins pop up as you drag elements around your canvas. These remind you that it’s important to leave some breathing room between the edge of the canvas and your design elements. It also helps to, again, create a cohesive look across all of your artwork. Space is important as much as the design itself.

If you need to create multiple versions of a design, use the Duplicate Page feature. This way, you can make small tweaks without starting from scratch.

Like any new skill, learning and becoming comfortable with Canva takes practice. The more you use it, the more you’ll feel great with its features and capabilities. It is an incredible tool for startups looking to create professional-quality graphics without breaking the bank. You'll be designing like a pro in no time. Keep experimenting, learning, and refining your skills, and you’ll soon see the impact you have in your market.

The Business of Color: Color in Branding

make a splash in your branding creations

When it comes to branding design, color is a very powerful tool. It’s amazing how the right color palette can drive human emotion, tell a story, and create a memorable identity for a brand. Think about how purple relates to luxury, creativity, and spirituality or how yellow can be linked to energy, happiness, and warmth. In my experience, working with clients on their branding often starts with understanding the feelings and messages they want to convey. Whether it’s a bold, vibrant scheme for a logistics company or soft, earthy tones for an acupuncture business, the colors you choose will play a huge role in how people connect with the brand. If you’re fresh on the scene to graphic design, don’t focus on getting things perfect. It’s all about trying this and that to get a feel for things. Experiment with different combinations, and pay attention to how they make you feel. You can even ask others how they experience your creation. What I’ve experienced is that the smaller the group in which you share your designs, the better. Especially in the beginning stages. There’s no need to cause more “static” in the initial design phase by getting bombarded with so many thoughts and opinions of others. I like to get ideas pretty solidified, and that makes for a much more efficient and effective editing phase of the process. With time, you’ll develop an eye for choosing colors that really make your branding designs shine.