We’ve all been on a website that wasn’t a great experience and often the issue comes down to poor design. When a web designer fails to think about how it would feel to be in our position using the website, there are going to be issues. 

All websites should be designed with the user in mind because the end goal of any design should be an excellent user experience. Granted, achieving a positive user experience isn’t always easy. But it sure is worth it.

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Graphic Design Makes a Good First Impression

Here’s a fun fact for you, our biological evolution has not evolved at the rate that technology has. Therefore we’ve genetically inherited the profound ability to make snap judgements in an insanely small space of time (you know, so we could survive in the wild and stuff). Matter of fact it happens in 50 milliseconds. That’s it, that’s all you get to leave a good first impression. And when there’s so much competition out there, don’t you want that impression to be positive? When you hire a Graphic Design Company in Perth like us, you get trained professionals who understand how to use design to psychologically capture your audience’s attention and leave a good first impression.

Good Design Makes People Trust You

Graphic design can be the make or break of your business. More and more, people are relying on the design aspects of their business to gain trust from new potential customers. In fact bad design directly correlates with lack of customer trust, less time on site, and the overall amount of visitors. There are many examples of bad design out there, and a graphic designer knows all the bad design trends to steer clear from in order to gain your customers trust.

Design Trumps Content (...in a good way)

This is a controversial point. You’ve heard the saying “Content is King” right? Now we’re not saying content is not important, it is still very important for a multitude of reasons. But for user experience and engagement, design is the true saviour. The stats are in and here’s what they have to say about this design vs. content debate. 65% of people are visual learners, which means they more easily engage with cleverly designed imagery rather than text. The design is the hook, whilst the content is the line and reel. The fact is, when we’re looking at user experience, a massive 94% of customers report to have left sites due to poor design, compared to the 4% which left due to poor content.

Design Dictates Perception

Gustave Flaubert once said “There is no truth, there is only perception”. That my friends might just be the epitome of clever design. There’s an occurence in behavioural science known as the “framing effect” - essentially it is the process of implementing small changes to create large intended effects. This phenomenon is commonly adopted in graphic design with the use of colours, icons, etc to influence behaviour. It affects everything from a customer’s spending habits, mood, and even their taste.

Good Design Saves You Time & Earns You Money

Your busy enough don’t you think? Being a business owner is hard work and requires focus and attention. Why spread yourself thin? If you’ve ever read anything remotely Tim Ferriss related you will already be familiar with the mantra “outsource, outsource, outsource”. There’s a reason people keep banging on about it and they’re fairly logical. Whoever you outsource is quite frankly, better at that skill than you - they’re faster, smarter, and know what sells. They understand how to cater to your industry and your specific company needs whilst remembering how to appeal to the customer the whole time. They understand how to make your imagery pop so customers pay attention. They will have connections in the industry and will know the most cost effective way to do things. Believe it or not - they’re also on your side. Money for you means money for them. All of these things contribute to the fact that outsourcing Graphic Design agencies can and will save you time and earn you money.

Design Makes you Memorable

This one’s pretty straightforward. Good design makes people remember you. As we said earlier, people are visual learners. Get users to listen or read something online, and just 3 days later, only 10% will remember what the hell the information was. So what happens when we get those same users digesting that information with clever design and imagery implemented? That percentage raises to 65%. Think about it. Nike, Apple, McDonalds, Adidas, MasterCard, Facebook, Instagram. Think of the first thing you remember about them, you’re getting visuals. We remember in visuals. Design is the visual aspect of your business. I rest my case.

Design Tells Your Story, Consistently

Consistency is key, consistency literally trains users/customers on how to interact with you, how to think of you, it even trains them on how to explain your business to someone that hasn’t heard it before. It says to your customers “This is me, this is our values, this is our vision, this is what we do, this is why we do it, and if you feel the same way then get on board pal.” It’s reliable, memorable, trustworthy and logical. That’s why people spend hundreds, if not thousands on getting a graphic designer to create a meticulously thought out brand guide. At Dilate, we have a team of dedicated developers and graphic designers who know how to create a memorable and consistent brand through design, if you’re interested in learning more about graphic design in Perth for your business, we love meeting local businesses and we’re happy to have a chat and explore how our graphic design agency in Perth can help elevate your business so you stand out in the crowd.

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Wordmark:

A wordmark, sometimes referred to as a logotype, is the simplest form of logo based entirely on the text of the companies name. Usually based on handwriting/signature styles or custom fonts, the type-only logo conveys a sense of confidence, history and stability relying on brand name alone. Well known examples such as Coca-Cola, Facebook or Google.

Lettermark:

A lettermark, also called a monogram logo, is also made up of text only, but is based on the initials of the brand, rather than the companies full name. It’s a good choice for companies with longer or difficult to pronounce names. Using only initials makes the name easy to remember, especially in a global market. Some famous examples such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and Electronic Arts (EA).

Unique Design:

If you had to ask ten people in a room to design a logo for your industry, their first sketches might all come out pretty similar. It’s when designers are a few logos deep that they start extrapolating and developing designs with more meaning, and a few more designs after that until they’ve cleared away the clutter and found the perfect unique logo. Your logo doesn’t necessarily need to be the stamp of your industry; just because you run a fast-food joint doesn’t mean your logo should be a burger. Run far and wide from ‘the box’ while you’re brainstorming ideas and follow up any concepts you find particularly eye-catching.

Brandmark:

A brandmark, also referred to as a pictorial mark, contains only an image, and no text. The image, icon or symbol solely represents the brand and company. A brandmark can be a great way for audiences to form a psychological connection to your brand, as the brain responds on a deeper, more instinctive level to an image than written text, which needs to be interpreted. Famous examples include Apple’s apple logo, or Nike’s ‘Swoosh’ tick.

Combination Mark:

As the name suggests, a combination mark involves a combination of wordmark and symbol. Also known as iconic logotypes, combination marks mean you can convey a visual idea of what they brand represents, as well as making it clear what it’s called, so it’s particularly useful for new or less well-known brands. Its complexity also means it’s easier to trademark, and means your logo is more distinctive and less likely to be confused with other brands’ logos. Famous examples include the logos for Xbox, McDonald’s and Microsoft.

Emblem:

Like a combination mark, an emblem also involves both text and symbol, but in this case the text appears inside the symbol. Emblems are less flexible than combination marks, as their elements are typically difficult to separate out. Historically used by organisations such as schools, charities, sports teams and government agencies, and resembling a badge or seal, this style of logo can lend an air of authority and authenticity to a modern-day brand. Famous examples of emblems include the logos for Ford, Starbucks and MasterCard. If you’re ready to supercharge your logo and branding, the team at Dilate are here to help. We’ll work with you to deliver a logo design that is bespoke and tailored to your needs. Call us today to get those conversions happening! For an awesome graphic design logos to get people converting, contact Dilate Digital today on .

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Simple, attractive design

A lot of eCommerce websites are functional enough but, some aren't that attractive. People are visual and if they arrive at a clunky looking website, they’re likely to click away to find something that looks a little bit more appealing – especially if you face a lot of online competition. Although the practicalities of your online store are essential, you also need to take the time to create an aesthetic which draws customers in and showcases your product or service. In most cases, businesses turn to professional graphic designers for help.

Invest in quality videos

Videos are becoming increasingly popular on eCommerce websites and are an easy way to drive traffic to your online shop. Not only does video offer you a unique opportunity to showcase your product, but it can also provide instructions, tips, reviews, and troubleshooting to increase buyer confidence. To really boost your website, try and include video testimonials.

Focus on customer service

With the use of eCommerce stores on the rise, users expect a high level of customer service and this can be worked into your website in a number of ways. Develop an easy returns policy or money back guarantee and have this displayed prominently on the website. After a purchase, don’t just give a receipt number – have an engaging message thanking them for their purchase. These small touches make all the difference to the user experience.

Minimal steps to purchase

With an eCommerce store, the name of the game is getting users to an online sale. To that end, you want to make it easy as possible for someone to complete a purchase after placing an item in the shopping cart. Put yourself in a potential customer’s shoes when going through the purchase process to ensure there are no unnecessary hold-ups. The least amount of clicks, the better, like giving customers the option of checking out as a guest rather than making everyone create an account.

Keep up with payment methods

As new payment methods come on board, make sure you include these options in your website design. These days, it’s unusual for eCommerce stores not to have PayPal as an option and payment methods such as AfterPay are also becoming increasingly common. Offering multiple payment methods, other than traditional credit card details, offers flexibility for customers and means they can choose the option they feel most comfortable with.

For an eCommerce store which is functional, attractive and secure, speak to the design gurus at Dilate Digital. We use the most user-friendly eCommerce platforms available, and our affordability makes us perfect for medium-sized businesses and start-ups.

For eCommerce providers, contact the team at Dilate Digital today on .

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Use strong, contrasting colours

Your newsletter needs to have at-a-glance visual appeal so your customers want to keep reading and the best way to achieve this is through the clever use of colour. Opt for high contrast colours which really make your content stand out. A coloured background is another effective way of making your newsletter appealing, while also making the text easier to read. To make sure the colours work, email a sample of your newsletter to yourself so you can get an idea of the initial impression customers will get!

Make your content easy to read

Your newsletter shouldn’t just consist of massive blocks of unbroken text. Realistically, people are unlikely to have the time or inclination to sit down and read through it. To cater for short attention spans, keep your content in short and to the point blocks. Don’t forget to use headings and subheadings to break up your text. If you have some longer pieces of content in your newsletter, you can also break it up with some well-chosen images.

Inject some personality

It’s amazing how often businesses have an incredible website design which reflects the personality of their business only to send out a boring, stock standard newsletter. Your newsletter represents your business so don’t be scared to inject some personality into the design. You want your customers to look forward to an interesting newsletter from your business so keep this in mind with your design.

Keep it simple

The best advice when it comes to an effective email newsletter is to keep it simple. If you get too focused on filling every gap with content and graphics, it can look overwhelming and difficult to read. Keep the layout of your newsletter simple and don’t be scared of a little blank space in your design – this often makes it easier for the customer to read.

Use quality images

Let’s be honest – email newsletters can sometimes look pretty boring. If you want your newsletter to really pop, invest in some high-quality images which can be integrated into the design to add interest. An awesome image can often speak louder than words so you can get your message across quickly and effectively. Stay away from boring stock photography and choose something a little more interesting!

Dilate Digital are a graphic design company in Perth who specialise in transforming the digital appearance of your business so you really stand out. We work with you to develop eye catching design and branding to reflect the personality of your company.

For awesome graphics and branding in Perth, speak to the team at Dilate Digital today on .

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If you’re feeling less than inspired by your website, never fear! There are some simple design changes which could it a whole new lease on life. When it comes to graphic design for Perth businesses, we’re always on the lookout for inspiration and are here to share some design trends which may spark your interest.

Compatibility with multiple devices

Given the number of devices users have adopted to access the internet, it comes as no surprise that graphic designers need to think beyond the computer and make sure their designs are just as functional across a number of devices. People don’t want clumsy mobile sites - the quality needs to be consistent.

Grid layout

The grid layout is an attractive, user friendly approach to website design and this type of layout will continue to be used more and more. Even if this approach isn’t adopted throughout the whole website, some pages can benefit from this look. The grid layout can also be altered to add more interest through the use of overlapping images.

Clean, minimal typography

There was a time when designers went nuts for interesting fonts and a lot of websites used elaborate, colourful typography. The trend now is now for a pared back, minimal look where simple typography allows the content to tell the story. While big, bold fonts are still often used, the text is still easy to read and is paired with a clean look so users focus on content.

Bold colours

Although text may remain clean and minimal, the use of colour is increasing to add personality to websites and provide interest for visitors. Even if you like your webpages uncluttered, colour can still be integrated into the text, background or graphics as a counterpoint to the clean typography. If bright colours don’t appeal to you, you can also try a muted palette.

Better quality images

Although there has been a move away from boring stock photography for some time, there are an increasing number of websites which are now dedicated to providing unique, high quality photographs for website design. This means that your business can integrate easily accessible, high quality images into your website.

At Dilate Digital, our experienced team of graphic designers in Perth will use their awesome creative powers to develop your website and branding so you’re left with a design which reflects the personality of your business. We ensure that your product or services are perfectly showcased to lead to better engagement with your brand.

If you’re looking for a graphic design agency Perth, speak to the team at Dilate Digital today on .

The post Get Inspired – Design Trends Which Could Revitalise Your Website appeared first on Dilate Digital.

Brand Recognition And Awareness

Your brand needs to be reflected in all of your actions and graphics - if your audience can spot your logo a mile away and recognise your brand intentions and values in it, then you’ve struck gold. Your graphic design should remain consistent throughout your brands lifetime with minor tweaks where needed, but otherwise wholly recognisable by your audience. To create this connection to your brand, you to maintain your brand's image - and a powerful graphic design strategy can encompass that while standing the test of time.

Professionalism

Your brand will need to be well-presented among other businesses or vendors too, not just your audience. A well-designed graphic strategy will take time and money, but it will mean that your logo can stand tall and make a great impression.

A Trusted Front

Look, we’re sure your business is great. But your buyers don’t know your brand the way you do, so your graphics will play a major role in creating that trust. Your graphic design can tell the story of your company and can give the buyer a more complete picture of what you stand for while delivering some powerful imagery and clever connotations.

Creativity Converts

An altered stock image or clip art file might seem like a good idea when you’re getting ready to launch your brand, but you might find it difficult to be remembered further down the track. Then what? You can’t easily change all of your graphic design without some confusion, and potentially losing some of your buyers. Some invested creativity at the beginning of your business will create a stunning graphic display, and keep your audience interested and engaging with your brand.

Beautifying And Bolstering Your Brand

Not all businesses are huge corporations of flowers and pretty baubles. Some businesses sell the hand-towels for bathrooms. Some businesses are still trying to build their reputation as a corporate powerhouse. Great graphic design can make your start-up look like it’s running with the big dogs, or your business seem attractive and appealing to potential buyers or investors. If you’re having trouble with your graphic design and need an agency with a proven track record and a dedicated team of designers, call Dilate Digital. We’re Perth’s leading digital marketing agency and our design gurus love to roll up their sleeves and create the best graphics to showcase your brand.

The post 5 Reasons To Care (Alot) About Your Graphic Design appeared first on Dilate Digital.

First Impressions Stick

If you were meeting your audience in person, would you turn up in clashing colours with weird and distracting badges pinned to your shirt? If you’re trying to be ironic, then yeah, you might. Might. But I could bet that most of you would want to turn up with a style that is cohesive to your brand and flattering to your image while appealing to your audience. So whether it’s your logo, email signature, or your entire website, your audience will make their first impression of your brand (and it can be hard to shake).

Tell Your Story

As a small business, you are luckier than you think. Trends are pointing to a rise in locally owned/made/grown goods or businesses, and as a small business you have a fantastic opportunity to explain your roots and what keeps you humble. Customers love it. Your logo could be an eloquent illustration of the house where it all started, or the traditional equipment your brand would’ve once used. Sure, you might have traded in your spinning loom and got yourself a Singer sewing machine, but you’re a small local business so your nostalgic graphic design would seem far more sincere than that of the multi-national companies. Your logo should tell the story of your business, with attention paid to colour tones and shapes. For businesses operating mostly online however, I have a separate tip.

Online Business Logos

The role of the logo has to wear many hats online. If your business is mostly at home in the digital world, then take a moment to check out your browser. Do you have a few tabs open? Do you think that you could identify which websites you’re visiting, even if the words weren’t there? Right there in your tabs bar, you’ll quickly see how important a powerful, succinct logo is. And that tiny little space is where you’ll need to be recognised, so consider the detail and clutter that goes into your logo and how it might not translate so well in a confined space.

Stand Out

Tired and dull graphic design will be quickly forgotten if it’s even noticed in the first place. Use the unique personality of your brand and be creative! You want to be different and memorable for all of the right reasons, and to be the first brand on everyone’s mind when they consider your niche. For professional graphic design services based in Perth, WA, talk to our team at Dilate Digital. Our graphic designers are highly experienced and love working alongside our clients to develop the perfect designs and most compelling graphics. Contact us to find out more about what Dilate can do for you.

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But we aren’t exaggerating; your logo is going to be stamped everywhere that your brand is, so it’s imperative that it conveys your core message. It needs to have personality and attract attention without being too convoluted and busy. It needs to have the right colour palette and symbology without being bland, obnoxious, or too vague. A lot to think about, right? You’re walking a figurative tightrope when you undertake a graphic logo design, and there’s not much of a net below - so if you need a few pointers from our Perth professionals in web design and graphic design, read on.

Colour:

Colour psychology and association will play a huge role in how your audience perceive your brand, while increasing brand recognition by up to 80%. What message you choose to translate with your colour palette is up to you and the direction of your brand; during the initial design phases, however, we recommend sampling your logo in black and white first. When you see the logo colours in greyscale it becomes easier to recognise where colours can drown the message from its true form. Put it to the test again when you minimise your image into a smaller space - if the scaled-down version is difficult to interpret, there might be too much going on.

Colour Psychology:

Yellow: For amplified positivity (Ikea, McDonalds)
Red: For passion and energy (Puma, Red Bull, Coca-Cola)
Pink: For femininity and fun (Victoria’s Secret, Barbie)
Blue: For stability and trust (Samsung, PayPal)
Purple: For luxury and serenity (Hallmark, IBM, BBC)
Green: For calm, nature, freshness, and wildlife (Subway, Greenpeace, John Deere)

Simplicity:

As we said above, too many colours can detract from the power of a good logo. This logic can be applied to all stages of your logo design.
The world's most iconic logos have become more and more streamlined - Google, Airbnb, Kodak, Pepsi, among others - and understated simplicity combined with a clear connotation is reigning supreme. While you might not have the might of Twitter or Nike, who can get their logos recognised in an instant, you should still aim for a simple and powerful design.
Keeping words and design separate will help you to achieve a minimalist logo with maximum impact. This is especially crucial when you’re considering your web presence - your logo will likely be used online as an icon rather than an entire image, so it needs to succinct.

Unique Design:

If you had to ask ten people in a room to design a logo for your industry, their first sketches might all come out pretty similar. It’s when designers are a few logos deep that they start extrapolating and developing designs with more meaning, and a few more designs after that until they’ve cleared away the clutter and found the perfect unique logo. Your logo doesn’t necessarily need to be the stamp of your industry; just because you run a fast-food joint doesn’t mean your logo should be a burger. Run far and wide from ‘the box’ while you’re brainstorming ideas and follow up any concepts you find particularly eye-catching.

Words or Lettering:

As we said above, the online amalgamation of logos and icons means that detailed and wordy logos should be reconsidered. However stunning custom lettering can still work together to create a powerful logo which works well for businesses that are largely conducted offline, such as cafes. If you do choose a worded logo then your font will become the graphic design, so make sure that it has the right visual element for your business. Fonts can communicate anything from decadence and mess, to speed and holidays, so cut back the word count to avoid clutter.

Graphic logo design is a definitive time in a brands conception, and it’s not a decision to be made quickly. Logo design is a fun and creative way for you to compact your brand into one little space, so take the time to let your brands quirks rise to the surface - who knows, it might be the next Apple apple!

The post You Need The Perfect Logo Design - Here's How appeared first on Dilate Digital.

Your graphic design will become idiosyncratic with your brand, so cast the wrong impression or to amend it at a later date could mean problems. You might perfectly understand your brand and your market, but you may not have considered the effect of various color and shapes on the psyche. Here’s why you should hire a professional team of graphic designers.

Save Cash And The Clock

Don’t spend weeks designing and getting your merchandise printed with the new logo, only to find out that you hadn’t centred the lettering perfectly below the logo, or the edges print pixelated when blown up past a certain point. A graphic design company will be able to get it right the first time so you can instantly get excited for your brand's new look, without wasting time deliberating over various tones of blue, and how to incorporate your environmental awareness.

Be Different.

Your logo will be the image which is conjured when your audience thinks of you, so don’t let it be something that screams ‘I made this with ClipArt’. A great design team will be able to create stunning, distinctive graphics that will look like they’ve been developed with attention and care. They can take your entire brand’s history, mission, goals, and industry into consideration, and develop a product which reflects that accurately.

Coordinate Your Design

The language of graphic design is a well orchestrated - each of the components must echo the other, and remain consistent with the overall scheme. Everything from fonts to colour palette, to sizes and tones will all need to be kept in line and coordinated with one another. While many people will notice that there is something ‘not quite right’, only a graphic designer can tell you to cut the Comic Sans.

Dilate Digital is a comprehensive digital marketing agency in Perth, with offering professional graphic design services and web design. We work alongside our team and our clients to deliver design and marketing solutions that businesses and customers love. Call our team and find out how we can help your business take off.

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