Source: @EyeEm, Freepik
Introduction
Imagine a world without professional designers and DIY design everywhere. Colours would clash, fonts battle for attention, and visual hierarchy? A myth. Imagine your Aldi catalogue (Chaos), or Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse with a Comic Sans title, or worse, Impact (Yikes!).
What if I told you bad design has actually cost lives! Dramatic? Maybe. True? Absolutely.
In 1997, Dusseldorf Airport tragically lost 16 people in a fire. Why? Because architects thought emergency exit signs ruined their “clean” aesthetic. When thick smoke filled the terminal, no-one could find their way out. Enter the superhero designers, hired to fix the issue with clear, legible, well-lit signage that people could see in an emergency.
So yeah, we save lives. No big deal. Designers do this all the time, emergency signs here, watch your step signs there.
But bad design isn’t always life-or-death. Sometimes, it can quietly sabotage your business before it even takes off. DIY design might seem like the budget-friendly sidekick you need, but without the right superpowers, it could be your brand’s kryptonite.
So, let’s suit up, and reveal the superpowers that separate DIY from professional designers.
Source: Stephen Peate, Fabrik
Superhero Power #1: Brand Shapeshifting
There’s an old saying, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Well, in design, that’s a lie. People judge, hard.
A designer’s superpower is creating consistent, recognisable brands that align with customer values. The result? Trust, loyalty, and a sneaky 23% boost in revenue.
A study found design-first companies outperformed S&P 500 companies by 211% over 10 years, proving branding a smart business move.
The secret weapons of strong branding:
- Colour theory
- Visual hierarchy
- Typography
- Use of white space
- Lots of Research
- Study, experience, and instinct
Source: @ImageFlow, Freepik
Superhero Power #2: Silent Persuasion
Ever picked up a product and thought, I must have it? That’s design psychology at play.
Most DIY designers create based on personal taste, not what actually works. Professionals use design to influence behaviour, build trust, and drive revenue.
Power facts:
- 75% of consumers will abandon a business purely based on its website.
- Colour isn’t just aesthetics; it’s a psychological weapon.
- Example: Google tested 41 shades of blue to determine which evoked the strongest emotional response and kept users engaged the longest. The winning shade? Brought in $200m more in ad revenue annually.
Still think design is just about looking pretty? Design boosts business success.
Source: @freepik, Freepik
Superhero Power #3: ROI Acceleration
DIYers often think hiring a designer is too expensive, but do you really save money?
The hidden costs of DIY:
- 60% of consumers avoid businesses with generic, unprofessional logos.
- Nearly 75% believe a logo can either build or break a brand.
- Logo makers? You likely don’t own the design which means no trademark rights.
DIY website builders seem budget-friendly, but hidden costs lurk everywhere. Need a form? That’ll cost you. Need memberships? That’ll cost you too.
Source: Primoprint
Conclusion
These hidden pitfalls are just the tip of the iceberg. Do you DIY and risk bad design becoming your super villain, or call in the pros? Hiring a professional isn’t just an expense, it’s an investment in your business’s future.
Have you ever been burned by DIY tools? Send us a signal, or probably best just to let us know in the comments below!