designer or DIY?

Are you starting a business or passion project? Then you have probably already brainstormed several name options, done your market research, and may be at the point you are deciding what you want this project to look like. You have probably looked at several free templates and tried a few out to see how they look.

It feels exciting, and it feels like progress! And honestly? It kind of is. You’re making real moves, getting your vision off the ground and in the works. But as you try them out, you may start to ask yourself: Does this actually feel like my brand? Why does this look like five other brands I’ve seen on Instagram? Is this actually good? And from a designer’s standpoint, you should also be questioning: Is this actually versatile across different outlets? How many file types can I download? Am I able to trademark this logo? Is this even legal to use as my own?

DIY is great in some scenarios. But here’s where working with a graphic designer can change everything.

TEMPLATES ARE A STARTING POINT

Templates will help give you a look. A designer steps in and gives you a language. When you work with a professional, we don’t just drop your name into a pre-made design—we help uncover what your brand stands for. We translate your mission, values, and personality into visual elements that feel cohesive and uniquely yours. Templates can be a great starting point to get an idea of what you want your brand to look like. But these templates will only scratch the surface, and can only get you so far when it comes to really aligning with your brand goals and vision.

SOMEONE, SOMEWHERE PROBABLY HAS THE SAME THING

Templates are made to be generic on purpose—they have to appeal to the masses, and they are meant to be user-friendly to people are not professional designers. That means hundreds (sometimes thousands) of other businesses are using the same exact layout, just with different colors and fonts. If standing out matters to you (and it should), a designer can make sure you don’t blend into the crowd.

TIME IS MONEY

DIY might seem cheaper up front, but it often comes with trial-and-error chaos. That Canva logo that looked fine on screen? Suddenly it’s pixelated on your business cards, or it won’t scale for your website, or it doesn’t really work on product packaging. Platform A may only accept PNG’s, while platform B and C require vector files like ,AI or ,EPS. Do you have these on hand? Did you remember to write down each color code in RGB, CMYK, and all their hex codes? There a lot of technical steps behind-the-scenes when it comes to designing assets of a brand, and a designer will set you up for success and save the headache and frustrations you are more than likely to run into with a generic templated logo.

Working with a designer also means they know your brand already, so for any future projects that come up for your brand, you have someone to keep going back to. It will save so much time in the long run as your business scales and becomes more demanding, going from simple business cards to needing more complicated menus, brochures, catalogs, etc.

IT’S AN INVESTMENT

Working with a graphic designer is an investment in your brand. It means having a real person in your corner, helping you show up confidently and creatively in your space. Whether you’re just starting out or leveling up, a designer helps you feel aligned, clear, and ready. You can DIY a lot of things. Your brand identity shouldn’t be one of them. Your business isn’t just a placeholder in someone’s scroll. It’s a story, an experience, and a reflection of your values and it deserves to be told with intention.

If you’re ready to bring your brand to life with clarity and creativity, let’s work together. I’d love to hear your story.