January 2025 - PHd design

Should You Use a Graphic Designer for Social Media Posts?

Industry News 30th January 2025

It’s a question we hear often: “Do I really need a graphic designer for social media posts?” Now, if you’re expecting a quick and easy answer like “Yes, absolutely,” well, you’re in for a little more nuance. The truth is, it’s not quite that simple.

Big brands certainly understand the power of expertly designed social content. They know that eye-catching visuals can drive sales, increase engagement, and leave a lasting impression on clients. But here’s the kicker—what if you’re a smaller business with a tight budget? Can you afford that level of investment, or is there a better way to spend your money?

Let’s break it down.

 

When Branding is More Important than Social Content

While perfectly designed social media graphics can be a game-changer, if your budget isn’t quite ready for that, there’s something else that might be more valuable in the long run—strong branding.

You see, great social content is fantastic, but it can fall flat if your brand isn’t well established or doesn’t resonate with your audience. Imagine this: you’ve created a stunning social post, but your branding looks like it came from the 90s (we’re talking neon gradients and clip art here). That’s not a good look, is it? In fact, it could leave your clients thinking twice about whether you’re the professional they need to trust.

On the flip side, if your branding is top-notch—even if your social media posts are a bit “DIY” (hello, Canva)—you’re much more likely to be taken seriously. Good branding gives your business credibility. It says, “We know what we’re doing” even if you don’t have a full-time graphic designer behind every post. So, if you’re weighing up where to allocate your limited budget, investing in solid branding first will almost always serve you better.

 

The Power of Branding and DIY Social Media Graphics

Of course, if you’re fortunate enough to have a bigger marketing budget, then by all means, go for the full package—professional graphics for your social media as well as impeccable branding. Having both will undoubtedly elevate your business to a whole new level.

But if you’re still getting your finances in order, there’s no harm in starting with your brand identity and learning the ropes of tools like Canva for your social media content. Canva can be a great option for businesses who want to put something out there while they grow. Once your budget allows, you can upgrade your social content with expert-designed visuals that will take your brand to the next level.

 

The Bottom Line: Choose Wisely

In a nutshell, it’s all about priorities. If you’re working with a limited marketing budget, investing in strong, professional branding will often have a bigger impact than perfectly designed social media posts. A well-thought-out brand can do wonders for how your business is perceived—something that’s much harder to achieve with just social media graphics alone.

However, if you’ve got the budget for both, don’t hesitate to invest in expertly crafted social content—it’s one of the most powerful tools big brands use to build their presence and connect with their audience.

So, should you hire a graphic designer for your social posts? The answer depends on your budget and priorities. But don’t underestimate the power of branding—it’s the foundation that everything else can build on.

And hey, when you’re ready to make those professional social posts shine, you know who to call.

At PHd Design, we’re all about making design simple and effective, and we’re always here to help you level up your brand and social presence.

 

 

Is Your Brand Ready for Its Next Step?

Whether you’re looking to refine your branding or take your social media content to the next level, we’ve got you covered. Let’s chat and see how we can help your business stand out.

Not quite there yet? No worries! Stay informed with our fortnightly newsletter, featuring behind-the-scenes insights, expert tips, and the latest PHd Design projects. Click here to stay sign up.

 

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MAKES*IT Shine: A Bold New Sub-Brand for Concentrates Direct

Our Work 24th January 2025

Feature image of MAKES*IT Shine industrial cleaning solution packaging, designed by PHd Design.

When Concentrates Direct came to us with an exciting brief for their latest venture, we knew it was an opportunity to create something unapologetically bold. They wanted a sub-brand for their new range of industrial-grade cleaning solutions—products tough enough to tackle the grime that others can’t. The challenge? Craft a brand that stands out in a crowded market while showcasing the product’s powerful performance. The result? MAKES*IT Shine.

 

A Name with a Wink and a Nod

Let’s address the elephant in the room—or rather, the subtle, cheeky one-liner in the name. MAKES*IT Shine is a clever play on words that delivers just enough edge to get noticed. Pronounced as “Makes it shine,” it nods to the product’s incredible cleaning power. But the playful typography nearly spells out something more risqué—perfectly balancing professionalism with a bit of personality. This isn’t your typical industrial cleaner; it’s a brand with attitude.

Packaging that Packs a Punch

To match the audacious name, we designed packaging that demands attention. Each label is bold and clean (pun intended), with a high-contrast colour palette that ensures visibility on shelves and in industrial environments. The design communicates durability and quality without clutter, ensuring customers know they’re investing in products that deliver results.
From the typography to the materials used, we considered every detail. The design needed to reflect both the strength of the solution and the wit of the brand. Think practical functionality meets visual appeal, because even industrial cleaning products deserve a bit of style.

 

A Growing Range, A Growing Vision

Our work doesn’t stop here. As Concentrates Direct extends the MAKES*IT Shine range in the coming months, we’ll continue to collaborate with them to design packaging that aligns with the brand’s unique voice and growing product line. Every new product is an opportunity to reinforce the brand’s bold identity while addressing practical needs for its industrial clientele.

Why It Works

The success of this project lies in understanding both the product and the people who’ll use it. MAKES*IT Shine isn’t just a cleaning solution; it’s a promise of no-nonsense, get-the-job-done results. By injecting a bit of humour and personality into the brand, we’ve created something relatable, memorable, and effective.

At PHd Design, we’re all about making your brand unforgettable—whether that means turning heads with clever wordplay or delivering designs that work as hard as your products do.

 

Does Your Brand Need a Touch Of Brilliance?

We’re ready to make it shine (Or, you know, whatever else it needs to do.) Let’s get to work – contact us today.

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How to Navigate the Logo Design Process Without the Chaos

Industry News 15th January 2025

An infographic outlining key branding principles, including 'Process Makes Perfect,' 'Keep it real and define your goals,' 'Focus on storytelling,' and 'Keep it simple, consistent, and widely shared.'

So, you’re embarking on a rebrand. Congratulations! A strong logo can be the cornerstone of your business identity—get it right, and you’ll set your brand on the right course. Get it wrong, and well… let’s just say there’s a chance you’ll be sleeping with one eye open.

Let’s talk about the right way to go about it, and, just as importantly, what to avoid.

 

Thou Shalt Not Crowdsourced Logo Design

First things first: don’t crowdsource your logo. Sure, it might seem like a good idea to get feedback from as many people as possible, but the reality is that asking a random group to vote on your logo options is a surefire way to stir up confusion.

Asking for feedback from friends, family, or a public poll is much like getting your entire Instagram following to suggest baby names. You’ll end up with too many opinions, most of which have no real connection to your brand’s identity. Your target audience’s preferences matter, not a random neighbour’s, who’s probably still using Comic Sans as their default font.

Let’s face it—people without context can’t offer meaningful input. It’s like inviting someone to a party but not telling them it’s a black-tie event. They’ll just show up in jeans and look a bit out of place.

 

The Real Key: Engaging Your Team (and You)

While surveys and focus groups can be part of the equation, we prefer to take a more streamlined approach. We love digging deep into your organisation’s DNA, but we do it by having conversations—not crowdsourcing comments. Here’s how:

 

1. Start with Your Team

Before we even think about designing anything, we speak with key members of your team—people who understand your brand from the inside out. Your leadership team, your marketing gurus, and even some of your most loyal customers (those who get your brand). This early stage is like laying a solid foundation for your logo—it helps our team understand your brand’s core values and what it needs to convey.

2. Understand the Bigger Picture

What sets your brand apart? How do you want people to feel when they see your logo? This stage helps us gather insights that will ensure the logo truly reflects your company’s personality. Getting this part right is crucial because, let’s be honest, a logo that feels off can damage your brand’s trustworthiness. It’s like wearing an ill-fitting suit to a meeting—you might have all the right ideas, but it’s hard for people to take you seriously.

3. Tap into Your Brand’s Story

Logos are more than just pretty pictures. They’re the visual embodiment of your brand’s story, values, and aspirations. By listening to what drives your business—whether it’s your commitment to customer service or your environmental ethos—we ensure that the design is something your team and customers can genuinely connect with.

4. Collaborate, Don’t Dictate

We don’t force our ideas on you. Instead, we collaborate with you, using the insights we’ve gathered to craft logo concepts that resonate with your brand’s core. You’ll be involved every step of the way, and we’ll guide you through the process with confidence, ensuring that what we deliver is something that you, your team, and your customers will love.

The Big Reveal: It’s All About the Story

Here’s the thing. When we unveil the final logo, we want you to be just as excited as we are. A great logo isn’t just a design—it’s a story. And the more you understand the reasoning behind your new look, the more confident you’ll be when presenting it to your stakeholders, employees, or customers. When you can explain why your logo looks the way it does, it gives your audience a sense of purpose and meaning.

The beauty of this process is that by the time your logo sees the light of day, you’ve already done the hard work of ensuring it fits perfectly within your brand’s identity. No surprises. No anxious moments wondering how people will react. You’ll be prepared, armed with the knowledge of why your logo is the right logo.

In Conclusion: Don’t Overcomplicate It

At PHd Design, we’ve learned that creating a great logo doesn’t need to be a drawn-out, stressful process. The key is simplicity, strategy, and a little bit of collaboration. We’ve been doing this for over 30 years, working with brands from a wide range of industries. So, rest assured, we’ll guide you through the process with a calm and steady hand.

Just remember—crowdsourcing is a risky business. Trust the process, trust your team, and trust us to help you navigate the waters of logo design.
If you’re ready to create a logo that’s more than just a pretty picture, let’s talk.

 

 

Conquer the Chaos and Make Your Mark

At PHd Design, we specialise in cutting through the noise to craft a logo and brand identity rooted in your unique vision—no crowdsourcing, no needless confusion. Our approach is collaborative and strategic, ensuring your brand stands out for all the right reasons.

Ready to set sail on your next branding adventure? Subscribe to our fortnightly newsletter for fresh insights, practical tips, and a sprinkle of inspiration. Let’s navigate the design process together and bring your brand’s story to life. Click here to stay inspired.

 

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Rebranding Tactile Technology: Crafting a Future-Focused Identity for IT Excellence

Our Work 7th January 2025

Feature image of Tactile Technology’s new 3D interlocked 'T' logo designed by PHd Design.

When Tactile Technology, a Birmingham-based IT solutions provider, approached PHd Design, they had a vision: a fresh, cohesive brand identity that spoke directly to their core mission and values. With over 55 years of combined experience in IT, Tactile Technology supports businesses with cutting-edge services like hosted telephony, data centre security, and comprehensive IT support. The challenge was to capture that expertise and make their identity as sleek, intuitive, and powerful as the solutions they provide. Challenge accepted!

 

The Brief: Strengthening a Trusted Brand

Tactile Technology sought a visual identity that would reflect their reliability, technological sophistication, and dedication to innovation. Their existing brand had served them well, but as they continued to grow and adapt to the demands of the IT landscape, they needed a look and feel that was as dynamic as their service offerings. Our mission was clear: reimagine their brand to align seamlessly with their forward-thinking ethos.

The Solution: Bold, Three-Dimensional, and Tech-Infused

Our team began by diving deep into Tactile Technology’s values, strengths, and vision for the future. We translated these qualities into a visual language that would serve as the foundation for their rebrand, from their logo to their new website.

Logo Redesign

At the heart of Tactile Technology’s new identity is a striking, interlocked 3D ‘T’ logo. This symbol is more than just a design; it’s a nod to the layers of expertise and support they bring to every client. The two ‘T’s, connected and visually interwoven, represent partnership and integration—a perfect metaphor for how Tactile Technology works seamlessly with their clients to provide tailored IT solutions.

A Website That Works as Hard as Their Team

The rebranding included an overhaul of their website. We focused on clean design, intuitive navigation, and a structure that highlights their key services: hosted telephony, data centre security, IT support, and hardware/software solutions. Each service section offers an interactive and engaging way for potential clients to explore Tactile’s offerings, with visual cues that reflect the new brand’s modern and accessible feel.

The Result: A Bold Identity that Speaks Volumes

The new branding embodies Tactile Technology’s expertise and energy, creating a look that’s as versatile as it is powerful. The fresh, streamlined website makes navigating their services a breeze, while the new logo provides an instant association with reliability and innovation. Most importantly, their identity now mirrors their role as a trusted partner in technology for businesses across the UK.

Why PHd Design?

At PHd Design, we believe that branding should be as clear-cut and intuitive as a good IT solution. No jargon, no fuss—just a straightforward, high-impact identity that resonates with clients and inspires confidence. This project with Tactile Technology allowed us to showcase how thoughtful design can elevate a brand’s perception and build connections.

Thinking of a Rebrand? Let’s Chat!

If you’re ready to align your brand with your business’s strengths, drop us a message. We’d love to help you tell your story—minus the marketing jargon.

 

Ready to Move Your Brand Forward?

A professional rebrand can take your business to the next level. Get in touch with us today to discover how PHd Design can help you stand out and win over your audience.

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