10 Design Tips for Your Business

Are you a small business owner thinking of hiring a designer to take the hard work out of your marketing? There are HEAPS of designers out there - but finding one that is reputable and who can cater to your design needs might not be as easy as you think! Here are the top 10 things that YOU can do to ensure your small business gets the value it deserves!

Design Tip # 1 - Engage the Services of a Reputable Designer

Finding a designer that is within your budget, who is reputable and who knows what they’re doing, can be a daunting task. Start asking around to see which designer’s have a good reputation in your area. A good designer will be easily contactable and be available to answer all of your questions in a timely manner.

Design Tip # 2 - Presenting Yourself or Your Business Successfully

It’s important to realise that it doesn’t matter how much money you have, you can always own your reputation. It’s the same in business. It doesn’t matter how small your business is, if you can present yourself successfully, the world really is your oyster! So it pays to know how you’d like to be presented!

Design Tip # 3 - Determine Your Target Market

Hopefully you already have your target market sorted out. Determining your target market takes time and research. While it may take time, it is priceless knowing WHO your customers REALLY are! This way you can aim your marketing directly to them.

Design Tip # 4 - Work out What Media THEY Use

Now that you have your target market, if you can establish their choice of media both yours and your designer’s job will be that much easier. Do they buy a lot of magazines? Perhaps they love listening to the radio? Where have you got most of your customers from? Answering these questions will help to minimise wasted money on ineffective advertising.

Design Tip # 5 - What do YOU want to Emphasise?

Do you want to promote a service or a product? It is important to know that YES you can market both at the same time – as long as you have determined exactly what it is you want to emphasise. Do you want to put emphasis on your brand or your excellent customer service?

Design Tip # 6 - Design for Your Customers, NOT Yourself!

Your designer will need to know WHO your customers are and what THEY want. It’s imperative that your customers like the design more than that you like it, so don’t design something for yourself or your friends - think about what your clients want.

Design Tip # 7 - Create a Swipe File of Designs YOU like - Research!

While it is VITAL to cater for your customers needs, it does pay off to do a bit research yourself. This will help to give direction to your designer. Whether it’s a list of websites that you like the look of, or a swipe-file of different designs that you like and that you think your target market will like, why not put something together yourself? This could save you a bit of time and money in the long run.

Design Tip # 8 - Creating a Detailed Brief WILL Minimise Confusion

Perhaps the most IMPORTANT aspect when clarifying the needs of you and your client’s is an effective design brief. A design brief will assist you to accurately define the needs and objectives of the project. There are MANY things a design brief should cover. Some of the main things to include in your brief are:
• The purpose of the project
• The certain task to be completed
• The outcome and timeframe/deadlines
• Details of the target market
• The terms and conditions for the designer
• Any specifications/special requests for the project

Design Tip # 9 - Don’t Tell Your Designer how to Design

Unless you’ve got a keen eye for detail and studied design, it’s probably not your area of expertise. By all means, feel free to give your designer your requirements (as per the design brief) and individual preferences - but you NEED to give your designer the liberty to design something that answers the design brief as effectively and efficiently as possible! This will guarantee that your designer will stay passionate about your project. If you’re constantly in their ear, distracting them with comments and criticism, the only thing they will become passionate about is getting the job done quickly then billing you!

Design Tip # 10 - Communicate with Your Designer

While it’s important to let your designer design, you should monitor the progress of your project to make sure that that the task is on track and you are receiving the VALUE you deserve (and are paying for)! A good designer will be an open-minded and approachable designer. If you are after an update on the progress of your project, you should easily be able to get in contact with them. And remember, you have to TRUST your designer, after all - that is what you’re paying them for!