DIY graphic design is usually a very attractive option for anyone who’s just launched a new business (or is about to).
Though design is my bread and butter, I’m not averse to helping business owners come up with their own visual concepts. In fact, my Design FX Studio blog is packed full of lots of tips and tricks for those of you who don’t want to instruct someone like me (at least not right away).
However, I do believe that going it alone isn’t always the best approach. It depends on where you are in your business journey, how much time you can dedicate to designing your own materials and whether the results will give your brand the professional appearance it deserves.
It’s up to you to decide where you sit. Here are the arguments for and against DIY graphic design for start-ups!
The case for a do-it-yourself approach
1. It’s cheaper
Cost is often the biggest factor for start-ups. There’s so much to spend your capital on in the early days, and professional design is often at the bottom of the list. Creating your own graphics is often the only way to keep design-related overheads to a minimum while you begin to establish your business.
2. You have complete control
You can tweak your designs as you see fit, and you don’t need to convince anyone else to get on board with your creative ideas!
3. You can work to your own timeframes
Professional designers will often have several projects on the go at once, which means they can’t always react to fast turnarounds and last-minute requests as quickly as you’d like. When you take the reins of your design requirements, there’s no need to wait on a response from anybody else – you’re in charge of when things get done.
4. You get to learn something new
Part of the thrill of producing the graphics and overall brand identity for your start-up is the opportunity to develop a new talent – one that perhaps you never knew you had. There are plenty of courses and tutorials out there on the web for budding designers, so whether you’re a complete novice or you already have some experience in design, you’ll enjoy getting to grips with something different and experiencing the satisfaction of sharing your skills with others.
5. There are plenty of free and paid-for tools to help you on your way
Many DIY tools like Canva, Adobe Express, and Figma are user-friendly, even for those of you who don’t have design backgrounds. These platforms offer templates, drag-and-drop features, and pre-made elements, so they make it relatively easy to produce decent designs.
The downsides to trying your hand at amateur graphic design
1. You’re more likely to make a mistake
There’s an element of trial and error to creating brand graphics for the first time. Inconsistent colours, unsuitable fonts or poor-quality graphics can make your business appear less professional, particularly when your designs are used across different platforms and printed materials.
2. You’re probably going to end up wasting money
If your designs aren’t suitable for professional printing or need to be recreated in different formats, you could end up spending more time and money correcting them. Sometimes, investing in professional design from the outset can be more cost-effective in the long run.
3. There will be a limit to your abilities
Your DIY skills might take you so far, but eventually, you will hit a stumbling block and need external help. There’s nothing wrong with taking your business this far on your own, but it’s important to recognise when a particular task is beyond your capabilities so you don’t hold back your company’s growth.
4. You’ll be distracted from other areas of your business
Let’s be honest, the time you spend on your start-up designs could be put to better use. While you’re busy developing logo concepts and learning how to use design software, that’s time you could otherwise spend looking after customers, generating enquiries or growing your business.
5. You could miss out on a fresh perspective
While being able to control every aspect of your design output might sound ideal, tunnel vision can prevent you from accepting input from the people who really matter: your customers and your peers.
An experienced graphic designer can offer a fresh perspective, consider how your designs will appeal to your customers and help you create a consistent, professional brand identity.
All the knowledge in the world can’t replace real-world experience
Online tutorials, design courses and DIY tools can be incredibly useful, and some business owners develop a real talent for design. But there’s a difference between learning how to create an attractive graphic and understanding how to build a consistent visual identity that works across your business.
Great design also comes down to a practical understanding of what needs to be produced and when. From being able to adjust your designs for different formats to knowing the ins and outs of print management or website development, there are a lot of technical aspects to consider – and these are skills that develop through years of practical experience.
What’s the right approach for your start-up?
There’s nothing wrong with creating some of your own graphics, particularly when you’re just getting started and working with a limited budget.
However, it’s worth investing in the elements that form the foundation of your brand, such as your logo, brand colours, typography and essential marketing materials. Getting these right from the outset can make everything else much easier.
I’ve been helping start-up businesses develop their visual identities since 1993, and I understand how important it is to make every penny count.
My business start-up packages can be tailored to your requirements, whether you need a professional logo, printed marketing materials, a website or a combination of services.
