DIY vs. Designer: When Should You Invest in a Brand Designer?

When should you hire a designer for branding and when can you get away with DIY? There are many cases where DIY branding might be the only option, and there are also many cases where hiring a designer is the next step to take your business to another level. 

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Before we dive into which option is right for you and your business, let’s compare the two. When you DIY your brand, you (hopefully) get a logo, color palette, and typography suite. Seems easy enough, right? But when you compare that to working with a designer, the whole game changes. Not only do you walk away with all of the above, you also get:

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1. Brand strategy (competitor analysis, brand tone, core values, target audience, etc.)

2. Additional brand assets (secondary logo, patterns, icons, illustrations, etc.)

3. Intentional design backed by research and industry experience

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So hiring a designer seems to make the most sense, right? As a design studio ourselves, the answer is yes. However, we know that as business owners, it can get tricky, and not everyone is ready to invest in design just yet. If you’re stuck, keep reading to find out which option is right for you and what to consider beforehand.

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Go the Designer route if:

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1. You’re ready to hand off the creative stuff

Your time is better spent in other areas of your business and you would rather invest in someone with industry experience to create quality graphics for your business.

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2. You’re looking to scale your business

You understand the value of design and are ready to invest in a professional to help you take your business to the next level, reach your new goals, and bring your vision to life.

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3. You want intentional and strategic design

You want to make sure everything in your brand is consistent, telling your story, and working together to create the right experience for your audience.

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Go the DIY route if:

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1. You don’t have the time

We get it. Sometimes you’re thrown into this new journey with little to no time to prepare and you need to make a quick turnaround fast. DIY can help you hit the ground running.

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2. This is a hobby

You’re doing this for fun and are only providing your service or product to friends and family. DIY branding is a great way to add an extra personalized touch.

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3. You’re on a budget

You’re starting out and can’t afford to make the investment yet. Other aspects of your business are higher on the financial priority list and are needed for you to get started.

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Things to consider:

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1. Where will your branding live?

If your branding will live on various mediums, it might be best to get it right from the start. There’s no sense in investing in signage, packaging, merch, or marketing collateral with branding you’re not in love with or plan to change in the future.

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2. Quick fix ≠ permanent solution

DIY might help you get started, but it will not replace a strategic foundation that aligns with your vision, mission, and story. A solid foundation sets you up for the long haul and will help you reach your goals and attract your target audience.

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3. Design is an investment, not an expense

Investing means you will get a return. By investing in design, you are adding value to your branding, helping you look more legit, attract the right people, and stand out against your competitors, thus, growing your business.