Graphic Design is more than just aesthetics; it's the first step in creating a great first impression with new clients. Graphic Design is used for digital marketing via social media, email campaigns, and websites, as well as for printed materials such as business cards, sales brochures, and portfolio booklets. 

With strong design application, you can stand out from the competition, increase credibility, and build brand loyalty. After all, people want to see your work! The trick is to present it well so you can turn viewers into clients.

Ready for your business to make a lasting impression? Here are our top three tips to jumpstart your graphic design journey.

A Picture's Worth A Thousand Words

Images reach your audience at an emotional level – in fact, they’re proven to have longer-lasting impressions than copy. A simple graphic can instantly change someone's attitude about your business by triggering emotions and igniting their imagination. Because of this, graphic design is critical in capitalizing on your customer's first impression of your brand.

Take inventory of your current marketing materials, and, ask yourself:

• What do the graphics say about my brand?

• Do the colors and fonts communicate the level of professionalism I want to portray?

• Are the graphics up-to-date, offering a clear representation of my scope of work?

Focusing on graphic design ensures that you provide essential information right out of the gate. Having cohesive branding throughout your marketing materials offers insight into your scope of work, professionalism, and credibility as a brand.

Less Is Often More

The number one mistake we observe with marketing materials is cramming too much information into one space. Aesthetically pleasing graphics help convey information about your company while inviting the viewer to continue engaging with your business. 

By minimizing the amount of text and allowing your graphics to 'breathe,' you'll improve legibility, and increase the degree to which your audience interacts with the content.

It’s helpful to think of graphic design as an elevator pitch — information that is succinct and to the point. If a client is interested, it’s likely that they will continue to explore your website, review your portfolio, and begin to build a trusting relationship with your brand.

Back To The Basics

Oftentimes,  it’s easy to get so wrapped up in the design process that you forget to include the most basic information — location, phone number, email address, or website. While this may seem obvious, it's something we come across a lot! 

Your graphic design sets the tone for what it's like to do business with you. Are you reliable? Trustworthy? The right person for the job? These are all questions that your audience is looking to answer right off the bat. Leaving your audience wondering what you do, where you are located, and how to contact you can be the difference between gaining a new client or losing them to a competitor.

How Clever Punch Can Help

The goal of graphic design is to communicate your mission visually – through business cards, sales sheets, brochures, portfolios, and digital campaigns. Clever Punch aids in helping clients create beautiful print-ready designs that speak true to their brand and mission. 

It’s likely that you already have a fantastic business with an inspiring story. Together, let's make a stellar first impression on the rest of the world.