Wirral Life April 2019 | Page 83

W BUSINESS L TECHNICAL GRAPHIC DESIGN Before we start building a new website, we ask the client what sites they like. We ask them to pick out a few that appeal to them. Very often the sites they aspire to are technically straight forward; what they like is the visual aspect. The best sites look beautiful. Aesthetically pleasing sites are demonstrably more likely to increase the time a customer spends on it. Consistent Branding Successful companies continue the branding throughout every aspect of their business, from the signage on the front of the building, to the colours, design & logos on their invoices. This is where an effective graphic design team comes into its own; once a brand has been developed, it’s important that there is consistency spread through every single customer facing item; clothing, vehicles, paperwork, social media, everything. The best graphic designers collaborate with a business to understand their needs so they can personalise the artwork to suit its use. For example, what works on the top of a letterhead may be too formal and uninspiring for the side of a van, yet there must be consistency between the two. The icon on a social media platform has to be very clear & obvious to fit in a small circle or square, whereas profile headers are wide but thin so graphics or video must be bespoke to appear professional. Outstanding Graphics In this modern world of short attention spans & persistent scrolling, adverts must stand out immediately. Sure the wording must be carefully thought out, but what first catches the eye is the visuals. A run of the mill, boring advert is a waste of time if potential customers simply flip the page or scroll past it. This is especially true if the advert has been unduly repeated. An advert needs to captivate, inform and often inspire. It should visually portray the desired message whether that be something very obvious & clear or something to tease and lure the reader further in. Design should echo the ethos of the brand. It could be a rule breaking concept for a radical start-up, it may be designed to make complex concepts more accessible or simply to create a brand identity. Whatever the impetus behind the marketing, the designer should understand the objectives from the beginning. Graphic design is the milli-second attention grabber doorway into a marketing campaign. Done wrong it’s a waste of cash. However, when implemented correctly it will generate many times more income compared to the initial cost. After all, marketing is there to specifically bring in more sales than would otherwise occur. To speak to Nik & Justine about branding or graphic design needs over a wine, call 0151 348 7044 or email: [email protected]. wirrallife.com 83