Canva has empowered individuals and small businesses to
create stunning visuals effortlessly – you no longer need to be a graphic
design expert to create amazing visuals for your brand these days.
While this might raise eyebrows among my designer friends,
the undeniable impact that Canva has had on the design world cannot be
overlooked.
Since its launch in 2012, Canva has become a staple for many
creators and marketers thanks to its user-friendly interface, slick built-in
templates and beautiful design elements. With so many features available at
your fingertips, it’s no wonder Canva has become such a huge success, boasting
a reported revenue of $1.7 Billion at the end of 2023.
While Canva can be a great tool for individuals and small businesses with
limited design experience or resources, it has its limitations when compared to
professional designers. And when in the wrong hands, it can result in a generic
or amateurish look.
It poses an interesting dilemma for small businesses
contemplating outsourcing branding and design work – can you do it
yourself using Canva? Or should you hire a professional graphic designer?
As we explore the benefits of both, we'll also discuss the
limitations and why, sometimes, the touch of a creative Virtual Assistant could
be the answer to having the best of both worlds…
Having worked with many talented designers and creative
artworkers throughout my career in advertising, I can attest that for branding
projects, intricate designs, or high-profile campaigns, a professional designer
is an invaluable asset. Here's why:
Customisation:
A professional designer can
create customised designs specifically tailored to your brand, audience, and
project goals, ensuring that your design is unique, memorable, and effective.
Expertise:
Designers have formal education and
training in design principles, software, and techniques, which means they can
create designs that are not only visually appealing but also functional,
user-friendly, and consistent with industry standards and best practices.
Flexibility:
Working with a designer can offer
greater flexibility in terms of design choices, creative direction, and
collaboration, resulting in a more personalised and effective design solution.
That said, the cost associated with a professional designer
or design agency can be a hurdle for small businesses, especially for content
or social media needs. This is where Canva steps in...
Canva is an amazing tool for basic design needs or those
with limited resources. It allows users to create professional-looking designs
without extensive design skills or software.
Here are some of the biggest benefits
of using Canva:
Cost-effectiveness:
Canva offers affordable
pricing plans and access to a vast library of design templates and elements,
making it a cost-effective option for small businesses, startups, or
individuals with limited budgets.
Ease of use:
Canva's user-friendly interface and
drag-and-drop design tools make it easy for anyone, even those without design
experience, to create professional-looking designs quickly and easily.
Speed:
Canva's pre-made templates and design
elements can save time compared to working with a professional designer who may
need to create custom designs from scratch. Additionally, Canva's collaborative
features make it easy to share designs with team members, helping you make
amends and iterations seamlessly.
I’m a huge fan of Canva, so I could go on and on about how
wonderful it is, but while Canva's pre-made templates and design elements can
be useful, they can also limit your creativity and constrain your design
options. I have also seen it used very badly, resulting in inconsistent branding, font misuse, and overcrowded
designs.
If your creativity leaves much to be desired, but you don’t
have the budget to outsource to a design agency, this is where a creative
Virtual Assistant can bridge the gap - VAs can provide creative support without
breaking the bank. Besides traditional VA services, VAs like me are very good
at more creative tasks, such as creating eye-catching images and infographics
for social media and presentations. While
I don’t proclaim to be a graphic designer, I do have a degree in Graphic Arts
and a keen eye for design - I’ve crafted content, presentations, and online
courses for numerous clients, all with the help of Canva! It’s also my go-to
tool for designing my own
social media content.
When choosing
between Canva, a professional designer, or a creative Virtual Assistant, it's
crucial to weigh up your options carefully. Ultimately, it depends on your
specific needs, goals, and budget.
While Canva can be
a great tool for those with limited design experience or resources, it may not
be the best choice for more complex campaigns or branding projects that require
a more tailored design solution. Hiring a professional designer or working with
a design agency can offer a range of benefits, including customisation,
expertise, and flexibility, but it may also come at a higher cost. A Virtual
Assistant that specialises in creative and design combines affordability and
artistic flair, offering a balanced solution.
If you’re looking
for creative support, I’d love to hear from you – get in touch to arrange a
call, and together, we can work out the best solution for your creative and design
needs.
