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Have you ever handed off design tasks to your VA because you desperately need to free up time their creations look like a preschool kid could have made it?

And you don’t have the time to tell them how to fix it so you’re left fixing their work (again!). Leaving you paying for their wasted time, and losing your own time you could have spent making sales. And next month, you’re in the same place all over again knowing something needs to change.

In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into how you can ensure your team creates spectacular graphics that boost your brand and save you heaps of time.

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1. Create Clear Brand Guidelines 🎨

First things first: Your team needs a style guide. Imagine sending your team on a treasure hunt without a map—chaos, right? A style guide is your brand’s treasure map. It defines your colours, fonts, and overall aesthetic, ensuring consistency across every design.

Why It’s Crucial:

• Consistency is Key: Your brand needs to be recognizable. Your audience should associate certain colours and fonts with your business, creating a cohesive look.
• Efficiency: When your team has a clear set of guidelines, they’re less likely to waste time guessing or redoing work.

How to Create One:

• Detail Everything: From the exact HEX codes of your brand colours to the specific fonts for headlines and body text.
• Stay Updated: Keep your guide current. As your brand evolves, so should your style guide.

2. Define the Purpose and Intention of Designs 🎯

Design isn’t just about making things look pretty—it’s about making things work. Every graphic has a mission.

Why Purpose Matters:

• Targeted Communication: Understand where the design fits in your marketing journey. Is it an Instagram post to attract new followers or a flyer for warm leads?
• Effective Collaboration: When your team knows the why behind a design, they can make informed decisions that align with your goals.

Tips for Clarity:

• Detailed Briefs: Always provide context. Outline where the design will be used, who it’s for, and what message it needs to convey.
• Examples and Inspirations: Share visuals you like. It’s easier to steer your team in the right direction with concrete examples.

3. Master the Art of Providing Feedback 🧡

Feedback is your secret weapon for ensuring designs hit the mark now and into the future (equally less edits over time). But, it’s a skill to deliver it effectively.

The Golden Rules of Feedback:

• Be Kind and Constructive: Start with what you love about the design. Positive reinforcement boosts morale.
• Be Specific: Don’t just say, “I don’t like this.” Explain why and offer clear, actionable suggestions.
• Use Tools: Consider using tools like Loom to record feedback. Visual and verbal cues make understanding easier.

4. Create a Set of Templates 📄

Templates are your best friends. They streamline the design process and ensure consistency.

Benefits of Templates:

• Time-Saving: No need to reinvent the wheel. Your team can quickly modify existing templates to fit new projects.
• Consistency: Templates ensure uniformity in style and layout, reinforcing your brand identity.

How to Develop Templates:

• Identify Common Needs: Determine what types of graphics you frequently use (social media posts, email headers, etc.) and save them to a Canva folder or task list in your project management system.
• Collaborate with Your Team: Get input from those who will be using the templates. Their insights can help create more effective designs.

5. Equip Your Team with Design Principles 🖌️

To produce stunning graphics, your team needs to understand basic design principles.

Core Principles to Teach:

• Hierarchy: Guide the viewer’s eye through the most important information first.
• White Space: Don’t clutter. Allow elements to breathe.
• Contrast: Use contrasting elements to make key points stand out.
• Balance: Ensure elements are well-distributed for a harmonious design.

Resources:

• The Co+Creation Design Club: If you want your team to not only learn these design principles but real-time feedback from a professional designer – join the Co+Creation Design Club. Inside they can learn principles and be supported to get every design they create for you PERFECT!
• Apply for The Club and learn more here: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub

Final Words 💬

Navigating the world of brand design doesn’t have to be daunting. With the right tools and strategies, you can empower your team to create graphics that resonate and captivate. Remember, your brand is your business’s face to the world—make sure it’s a face worth remembering.

Till next time, happy designing!

Want to work with me in The Co+Creation Design Club and stop wasting you and your teams time on graphics that slow your business down? Our next intake starts soon!! https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub

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