Look. Here’s the thing. I get the money can be tight. I get that when you get an idea you go from zero to 60 in like, 2 seconds. What was once all rainbows and glitter now becomes unicorn vomit and chaos. Learning all the things you must do to launch said idea, figuring out cost, trying to share your ideas with friends who just don’t get it and trying to build a support group outside of yourself. Carrying yourself is a huge feat when it comes to self employment, but at some point, we need to rely on someone to help us through the really, really, really, really, really hard parts.So you have your idea and now we need to build off of it. Business cards, website….. a logo. I recently came across this quote:

“Designing for yourself is worse than representing a client; it can be like having an identity crisis.”AIGA’s Graphic Design: A Career Guide and Education Directory

This is one of the truest of true things I’ve come across when it comes to design. I designed my own logo, I design the bulk of my own items. Even after being a designer for over a decade, it was really hard. I began to question everything, and I mean everything. Philosophical questions like, ‘Who am I?’ ‘What is this thing I’m trying to build?’ ‘What is color?’ ‘Coffee?’For someone who isn’t a creative or a designer, trying to design your own things is amplified. Not understanding how to use the right software, finding consistent colors or why your brand colors aren’t printing the same on different papers (hint – pantone is your friend). Picking the right fonts so people will take you and your business seriously. Trying to design a logo mark that doesn’t look like microsoft word clipart. Your world quickly crumbles beneath you, and then you’re STILL trying to meet a launch date to get your name out there. It’s a lot. SO – here’s a quick list on why you should hire a designer:

1. They know what they’re doing. Even if they’re brand new at it, they still probably have a pretty good idea on how to provide you a solid design.

2. While they may be expensive, they’ll still save you money in the long run. Think about it, what might take you 50 hours and sleepless nights trying to design your logo let alone JUST your home page on your website, they can do in half the time. And, without insulting you, it will probably look better. If you’re unsure on price, shop around. Interview different designers. You want to get along with them and you want to love their style. Graphic design is an art, and every designer has their own style and approach. Even take a look at any local college/university/tech school. I can guarantee you that there’s a student that would LOVE to design you a logo for their portfolio.

3. You can focus on other things. You don’t need to be bombarded with all the things. Send your focus on your marketing plans, client projects, ideas for new design items you’ll need. Let your designer worry about your look. The trick is to hire someone you trust, which I get can be scary. It might take a couple trial and errors, so don’t beat yourself up over it if your first designer doesn’t provide what you want. You can fire them and find a new freelancer. It totally sucks when it happens, but in business – such is life.

4. Devil is in the details. Designers know that. They live off of that. The spacing of letters, the spacing between lines of letters (kerning and leading) is a design 101. You might not notice it right away, but us designers… we dissect food menus on the daily. We might silently judge their font choices, too. Just FYI.

5. Understanding your market and how to reach them. You might not know this, but design requires quite a bit of extensive research. At least for me. I don’t typically just design something pretty. I look at what the project is, who it’s for and try to design FOR them so they come to YOU. To top it off, it’s gotta be something that you’re on board with too. After all, this is your business baby.

6. Knowing when to stop. Yes, you can totally overdo a design. So much that it hurts and people don’t know where to look. They get overwhelmed with information because there’s no hierarchy. Designers, and artists alike, know when to eliminate the unnecessary. Less is 1,000% more. Every time. All the time. Ever. Single. Time.

7. Designers can think in the abstract. When you need wind, rather than designing a literal version of wind, they’ll look for birds, kites, flags blowing in the wind, hot air balloons… things that relate to wind and rely on wind while also connecting to your business and services.

I could go on, but I think those 7 reasons are a pretty good start. If you’ve already come to this post, there’s a good chance you already know you could totally use a designer for your project, brand, and business. One of the hardest parts about being a business owner is learning to assign projects that take up too much of your time and energy to someone else. Just remember that this should be fun! If you’re not having fun with it and you’re not enjoying your designer – go shop some more. With the internet at our finger tips, you can most definitely find someone you love and want to work with.