If you want to establish an online presence, you need killer graphic design. Not too long ago, If you didn’t have the training or skills to do your graphics yourself, you would simply hire a professional designer. These days, however, the growing popularity of tools like Canva is allowing everyone to try their hand at creating graphics, logos, social media images, you name it.
The question is, are tools like Canva all they are cracked up to be? Today we’re comparing the pros and cons of using Canva to those of hiring a professional graphic designer, to help you make the choice that best suits your brand.
The Pros of Using Canva
Cost-Effective Solution
One of the most significant advantages of using Canva is its cost-effectiveness. For startups and small businesses, Canva offers an affordable way to create high-quality graphics without the expense of hiring a designer. Times are hard, and the importance of getting a good deal can’t be overstated.
User-Friendly Interface
Canva’s intuitive and user-friendly interface makes it accessible even to those who don’t have any design experience. With drag-and-drop functionality, anyone can create some really impressive graphics quickly and efficiently.
Vast Template Library
Canva has a vast library of templates for various purposes. From social media posts to website graphics, users can find templates that suit their needs and allow them to hit the ground running, making the design process faster and easier.
The Cons of Using Canva
Limited Customisation
Despite its numerous templates, Canva’s customisation options are limited. Users may find it challenging to create truly unique designs, resulting in graphics that look similar to many others online. Templates are a great starting point, but using them limits what you can achieve. Your brand is unique, and your design should be too.
Overused Templates
Canva’s popularity means that a lot of people end up relying on the same templates. This lack of originality can make it difficult for your brand to stand out from the competition. As mentioned earlier, even if you have every intention of making something unique, the very nature of a template-based tool makes it pretty hard to break the mould.
Not Tailored to Specific Needs
Canva’s templates are generic and might not meet the specific needs of your brand. This isn’t to say they’re bad, but the marketplace is becoming so saturated with copycat products and businesses that, now more than ever, brands need to be original and authentic to stand out. The design of your website, your logo, your entire branding needs to reflect that originality.
The Pros of Hiring a Professional Designer
Unique and Personalised Designs
Professional graphic designers (like us) provide unique and personalised designs that reflect a brands individuality. We work closely with all our clients to understand their vision and create graphics that make an impression. By creating graphics that are completely unique to you, you can enhance your brand’s identity and become easily recognisable across all your channels, online and off.
Expertise and Creativity
Hiring a professional means more expertise and creativity. Tools like Canva are designed to help those without design experience get started, but professionals have a deep understanding of design principles, and deliver high-quality results that communicate the intended message effectively.
While templates can be a great starting point, by not being confined to them, the sky’s the limit when it comes to creativity.
Tailored to Business Needs
Professional designers create graphics tailored to a business’s specific needs and goals. Are you trying to reach a specific audience, break into a new market, rebrand? If so, then an online tool probably won’t be enough to help you achieve this. The customisation and experience of a pro designer ensures that the visuals align perfectly with your brand’s identity, demographic, and goals.
The Cons of Hiring a Professional Designer
Higher Costs
To help shrug off any accusations of bias, we need to admit there can be some drawbacks to going down the professional route, the most obvious of which is the cost. Professional services tend to be more expensive than online tools, which can make them less accessible for small businesses and startups with limited budgets.
But, you get what you pay for, and any graphic designer worth their salt (again, like us) will be experienced working with clients of all sizes and all budgets.
Longer Turnaround Time
Working with a professional designer often requires more time than using a tool like Canva. The process involves consultations, revisions, and final approvals, which can be time-consuming.
But, good things come to those who wait. Most of the time, you can get a job done quickly or you can get it done right, and by getting it right the first time, you are less likely to have to invest time and money fixing it in the future.
The Verdict
Canva is a great cost-effective, user-friendly option ideal for beginners and small businesses. However, the main drawback of using Canva is that it has limits. You might be able to create something that does the job just fine, but is that really what you are shooting for? Wouldn’t you rather aim higher and see your brand get the attention it deserves?
On the other hand, hiring a graphic design agency ensures high-quality, personalised designs that effectively showcase your brand’s individuality. Ultimately, the choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and design goals, but if you’re on the fence, why not give us a shout and see how we can help? We might just be the perfect fit.