If you guys are thinking “How does a designer fit into the market of entrepreneurship?”
In that case, let me tell you that a designer is one of the most vital elements of any successful marketing campaign. Although technically, he is a core member of the creative team, but to understand the market, you need to understand a designer’s perspective as well.
Therefore, let’s hear it from a designer in this segment of the “I Am…” series where we discuss different facets of marketing from a first person’s perspective.
Today’s topic-
“I Am…A Designer”
The Approach…
This one is very subjective!
One of the most interesting parts of my job is to work on a blank canvas, most of the time. So the approach varies with the kind of project I am handling currently.
One thing I keep in mind is that design should be for the users & not the client!
I always think about the target audience. Even clients prefer a user-friendly design which will be beneficiary for his target customers.
Therefore, more than the client, I always try to comprehend who would be the visitors & what will be appropriate for them.
The next important aspect after my target audience is understanding the logo, fonts & color palette that would suit the design.
Next comes the part where I decide which area of the design I should focus more on.
Let me explain.
For example, say I am working on a sports website.
Now for a sports site, my target audience is vast, everyone from a teenager to a 70-year-old, who is a sports-lover will visit the site.
The design for a website like this should be bold & vibrant. Sports are energetic, so bold edgy fonts, animations can be used. I can play with a lot of colors as well.
Whereas, for a doctor’s clinic the idea of the design should be pretty different even with the same target audience!
A doctor’s clinic website can be visited by a 15-year-old & also a 75-year-old. But bold colors, edgy fonts won’t serve the purpose obviously!
You yourself won’t like a doctor’s website with bright funky colors, right?
For that, the site should have soothing colors with a much professional vibe to it!
The Differences…
When you are working with the marketing team, being a hardcore creative person will lead to conflicts, for sure!
The main conflict arises when you have to mix creativity with the business aspect as well.
Look, if you ask me, I would prefer a creative approach for any project. I think you don’t need to push your customers too much to buy your product or service. If he likes it, he will buy it eventually! If he doesn’t no matter how much you push, he won’t buy it! It is that simple.
Now how to overcome the conflict?
The trick is to create the right balance in your whole design.
For instance, if your design is fantastic with all the right elements, but users are unable to locate the main contact button on the website, it is useless. Also, a great design with too many CTA buttons can ruin its creativity.
As a designer, you need to understand the importance of Content.
Your whole design should revolve around the content, you cannot expect the vice versa.
The Changes…
Previously, the design was majorly text-based.
Every day, there are a lot of changes that occur in design.
Keeping up with the on-going trend is important. Today, websites have more specific content.
Even with social media, design is changing with the changing trend.
Contribution To Marketing…
A well-comprehended design can add a lot of value in terms of marketing.
Product is also important in terms of marketing design.
I often come across mediocre products where there is not much to play around it. I focus on elements like fonts & colors of a design to make the branding look good.
Client’s vision plays a major role for a designer.
A client should be clear about what he/she wants. Just by saying their goal doesn’t offer much to a designer.
Like a client can have a goal like “I need to increase my visitors by 50% within the next six months.”
For me, that is not a worthwhile information. You have a marketing team for that.
For me what can work is some references, some vision that will give me something to work on!
So for future entrepreneurs, be open with your clients. Try & communicate as much as possible because that will give you an understanding of what he is trying to convey to his users.
How much are you enjoying our series? Tell us in the comment section!
And if you haven’t read our previous blogs, click here & enjoy!
