Graphic designer develops visual concepts necessary for a business’s brand awareness. Are his skills those of a Visual guru or a Money heist?
Some people argue that Graphic Design is dead.
This assumption emanates from the overgrowth of smartphones use, Graphic design platforms such as Canva or even websites offering logo creation solutions at a low cost.
On a worldwide scale, recent studies have shown that Graphic design industry generated a revenue of 15 billion dollars in 2019 with an annual growth rate of 3,5%(source: IBIS world). It is expected over coming years to grow further at a rate of 2,7%.
We invited Nikolas Drossos, aka kouzinogatos, a high caliber Graphic designer, to shed light on unanswered queries as to whether can such professionals contribute to solid branding.
D.D: Why should any business hire a Graphic designer?
N.D: For many reasons, actually.
Hiring a skilled Graphic designer is of vital importance in order to achieve a consistent brand identity and not set a bad example to both clients and Social Media audience.
It is time wasting and risky trying to do all things by yourself and specifically on topics related to a company’s Social presence.
A tech-savvy Graphic designer can in most cases fit your budget and create something unique, which can evolve throughout the years.
D.D: “Could I do it all by myself”? Α question that hides many pitfalls.
N.D: Would you visit a restaurant and cook all by yourself?
I once had a client, winegrower, who requested to redesign the company’s portfolio in such a way as to star in international markets.
Imagine my face expressions, when I first set eyes on the photos, shot by an amateur, whose figure was reflected on the wine bottle!
How can anyone strive for sales, exports, revenue, especially when a product is of good quality, and does not make top priority to hire a professional photographer?
D.D: Website & Logo. Do you think that alone is enough?
N.D: There is certainly so much more.
The relationship between a firm and a Graphic designer is obviously long term and is not limited to logo design and business cards.
We should stress out the importance of a strategic marketing plan(website, Press, Social Media, ads), with clear goals and purposes, pattern and philosophy.
All the above can only be achieved with the assistance of a professional Graphic designer entrusted by the relevant company.
Company’s representatives are entitled to their own ideas and opinions but they need to take into serious consideration the recommendations by experts, who have already done it before.
D.D: Graphic designer is expected by many to act as Wizard. Name us a few things asked by you and your team that were “off the limits”.
N.D: Do not shoot the Graphic designer! We are mere humans, not octopuses!
Multitasking is part of our daily routine but businesses cannot act like we are Messiahs, meaning, skilled SEO experts, website moderators, Social Media administrators, Content creators and many more.
These positions include different job description narratives and expertise, that may be within our knowledge, but it’s definitely not a one man show.
In conclusion, a Graphic designer can create and improve the image of a company but under no circumstances can replace 3 more employees.
About the Authors
Dimitra Dolianiti is Guest Relations Specialist at Candia Hotel in Athens.
Her professional background in Front Office and Sales in boutique and city hotels as well as her work in Private Schools such as AKMI oriented towards Tourism Studies helped her stand out.
She has delivered successful seminars in collaboration with Tourism Schools on Guest Relations and how to build proper Resumes connecting employees with the labor market.
Nikolas Drossos aka Kouzinogatos is a skilled Graphic designer and a dynamic Social Media Curator with a successful business career in advertising and publishing companies.
He has been employed as Social Media Manager for taste connoisseur Ilias Mamalakis
He is a passionate and open minded Graphic designer with artistic curiosity. His true love for Greek gastronomy and cooking, led to a collaboration as a Creative Designer for Cooking@Home cookbook.
English (UK) 
Ελληνικά