Friends don’t let friends design

Most anyone can draw a straight line, but only an artist knows when to draw it crooked.

Here are some things to consider when you choose to design their own logo and website.

Have you ever watched the out-takes on American Idol and all those tone-deaf contestants trying to convince the judges that they are ‘just that good’? This reminds me of website customers trying to design their own logo and website.

By making this statement, I am certainly not trying to be mean-spirited, as this is not my intention. As a design professional with decades of design experience in print, television, animation and web development, I want to suggest to you what to consider if you decide to design or delegate design to another individual who is not expertly trained in graphic design.

Consider this:
Web advertising is a multi-billion dollar industry.
Web advertising is branding, text and graphics.
Web advertising is taught at the master’s level.

Just because you own a paint set does not maketh’ you a Picasso.
Just because you own a guitar does not maketh’ you a Clapton.
Just because you own word processing software does not maketh’ you Edward R. Murrow.

If you are going to take a stab at designing, at least buy some books or take some courses in graphic design.

A home-grown logo or poorly cropped photos can make your website look dime-store cheap?

Text is extremely important as well. People do actually read your website. Well-meaning do-it-yourself business people may write text that reads like a high school paper.

Here is another comparison. Have you ever watched a slick, professionally produced news show such as CNN or MSNBC and then click over to your local news channel?

This is the difference between having a slick professional website that generates you business versus a home-grown pit-stop on the Internet.

While I try my best to remember clients that ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder,’ the truth is 99% of the general public can tell good design from bad design. It’s the difference between a national magazine versus the clip-n-save magazine found in your local sub shop.

Let a design professional guide your steps in developing the perfect logo, brochure, marketing literature, and website design that is branded to your business.

Great design is a powerful communication tool that speaks volumes for you and your business.

About the Author
Rick Vidallon is President of Visionefx, a Web design company based in Virginia Beach, Va. They provide services to national companies as well as small to medium businesses throughout the United States. Rick can be reached at (757) 619-6456 or www.visionefx.net.