Why your DIY design may not be serving your business.

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With design technology so accessible, it’s easy to think that you can save money by creating your own logos and layouts with clip art and system fonts. But beware: People know amateur design when they see it and it makes them suspicious. If you settle for amateur design, your customers will expect nothing more than amateur service from your business.

Even if your friends like your DIY design, that doesn’t mean it’s an effective representation of your business today, five years into the future, and integrated into various media at different sizes. A well-designed layout can increase reader engagement. Consistent application of said layout helps build equity through memorability, retention, and trust. Strategic identity and messaging gracefully guide your customers to perceive your business in the way you want them to view it—in a way that is relatable to your targeted customer and unique to your competitors. Professional designers understand the psychology behind aesthetics and can build a look that appropriately validates your product or service. They can anticipate road bumps and create a package of technically-designed products that won’t cause you issues down the road. Professional logo design is a small upfront investment that may serve your business for 5, 10, or even 20 years!

Nevertheless, we know times are tough and budgets are tight. If you must DIY, we recommend getting started with templates from Creative Market and stock imagery from Deposit Photos.