You’ve spent months perfecting your brand. The logo is sharp, the colour palette is flawless, and the photography could make even your competitors swoon. But then… your customer lands on your website and can’t find the ‘Contact Us’ button.

That, my friends, is like throwing the best party in town and forgetting to tell anyone the address.

The silent killer of great design

Bad user experience (UX) doesn’t scream at you in flashing lights—it quietly chips away at your brand’s credibility. People don’t tend to complain that they couldn’t find your call-to-action button. They just leave. And once they’re gone, you’ve not only lost a potential customer—you’ve damaged the trust your beautiful branding worked so hard to build.

Think of your brand as a personality: it might look incredible in a tailored suit, but if it ignores you when you say hello, you’re unlikely to stick around.

But we don’t ‘just’ do UX…

At PHd Design, we’re not a full-blown app design agency—but we do understand how people think, click, and (sometimes) give up. That’s why, whether we’re creating a new brand identity or designing a website, we think beyond the visuals.

We ask things like:

-Is the most important information easy to find?

-Does the navigation make sense to someone who’s never seen the site before?

-Are we accidentally hiding the very thing we want people to do?

It’s this attention to usability that means your branding not only looks good, but works hard.

Why it matters for your business

Good branding pulls people in. Good UX keeps them there long enough to convert. The two are inseparable—yet it’s amazing how many businesses treat UX as an afterthought.

We’ve seen gorgeous websites where the ‘Buy Now’ button is practically in witness protection. We’ve seen award-worthy colour schemes sabotaged by light grey text on a white background. All the money spent on beautiful design? Wasted, because the customer journey wasn’t considered.

The PHd Design approach

We combine 30+ years of design experience with a healthy dose of common sense. We make things look beautiful, yes—but we also make them simple, clear, and easy to navigate. Your customers shouldn’t need a treasure map to find the checkout or a magnifying glass to read your opening hours.

A strong brand is a powerful tool. But a strong brand that’s easy to use? That’s where the real magic happens.

If you’re ready for branding that turns heads and gets clicks, we’re here to help. Just don’t hide the ‘Contact Us’ button—we’d like to hear from you.

Want Customers to Stick Around for the Long Haul?

If your branding isn’t sparking an emotional connection, it might be time for a rethink. We can help you design a brand that people don’t just recognise—they actually care about. Whether it’s refining your visual identity or building something from scratch, we’ll make sure your design does more than just look good.

Not ready to dive in just yet? No worries. You can still get a regular dose of design wisdom (and the odd bad pun) by signing up to our newsletter. Click here to join us.

Let’s be honest — we’re all a bit sentimental. Whether it’s the smell of a certain biscuit that takes you straight back to your nan’s kitchen, or the logo of your favourite football team that’s been stitched onto your scarf for the last 20 years… emotion is a powerful thing.

And when it comes to business? That emotional pull can be the difference between a one-off sale and a lifelong customer.

At PHd Design, we spend a lot of time thinking about this — not just how something looks, but how it feels. Because great design doesn’t just sit there looking pretty. It connects, communicates, and convinces. It builds brand loyalty without shouting for it. And it does all this by creating emotional connections.

Here’s how brands (like yours) can use design to turn casual customers into loyal fans.

1. Consistency: The unsexy hero of brand loyalty

We know — consistency isn’t the flashiest word in the branding dictionary. But it’s the one that quietly does all the heavy lifting.

Customers trust what they recognise. So when your logo, colours, tone of voice, and visual style all show up the same way — whether it’s on a website, a delivery box, or the side of a van — your brand starts to feel dependable. Familiar. Safe, even.

It’s not about being boring. It’s about being reliably you.

Pro Tip:Brand guidelines aren’t just for designers. They’re the map that keeps your brand recognisable, no matter where it shows up. (Yes, even on that company Christmas jumper.)

2. Visual storytelling: Because facts tell, but stories sell

Your brand isn’t just what you do — it’s who you are. And the best way to communicate that? Through stories.

Think about your origin story, your values, your purpose. Now imagine these things told through visuals:

-A logo with a hidden nod to your history

-Packaging that reflects your company ethos

-Photography that captures the real people behind the product

Design brings your story to life in a way words sometimes can’t. And when customers connect with your story, they’re far more likely to stick around for the next chapter.

3. Emotionally intelligent design: Less shouting, more feeling

Good design doesn’t force people to feel something. It gently guides them towards it.

It’s the soft pastels that make a brand feel calming. The bold typography that says “we know what we’re doing.” The touch of wit in a strapline that makes someone smile and think, “these people get me.”

When done right, design speaks your customers’ emotional language — without needing a full-blown translation.

4. Designing for real humans (not marketing robots)

People are emotional, messy, wonderful creatures. We remember how things made us feel, long after we’ve forgotten what they said.

So design with that in mind. Ask:

-Would our customers enjoy looking at this?

-Does this feel human, or like it’s been run through a jargon generator?

-Are we solving a problem, or just adding more noise?

Because ultimately, loyalty doesn’t come from flash. It comes from clarity, authenticity, and a sense that — for once — a business actually understands you.

So where do we come in?

At PHd Design, we help businesses like yours design brands that last — not just in memory, but in loyalty. With over 30 years of experience (and more than a few cups of tea), we’ve worked with companies across all sorts of industries to create meaningful, consistent, emotionally intelligent design.

And yes — we’ll make it look good too.

Want Customers to Stick Around for the Long Haul?

If your branding isn’t sparking an emotional connection, it might be time for a rethink. We can help you design a brand that people don’t just recognise—they actually care about. Whether it’s refining your visual identity or building something from scratch, we’ll make sure your design does more than just look good.

Not ready to dive in just yet? No worries. You can still get a regular dose of design wisdom (and the odd bad pun) by signing up to our newsletter. Click here to join us.

You’ve found the perfect photo. It’s got energy. It’s got personality. It’s got Dave from accounts pulling his best “this is how we work as a team” face. You drop it into your shiny new brochure, send it to print, pop it on the website and even push it out on social media.

Then Dave calls. And he’s not happy.

That’s when you realise—what you didn’t have was a model release.

What’s a model release?

A model release is a signed agreement between the person in a photo (the “model”) and the photographer or company using the image. It gives permission to use that image for specific purposes—typically commercial ones, like branding, advertising, and marketing.

It’s basically a polite way of saying: “We’re using your face to sell our stuff—is that okay?”

And unless you’ve got that ‘yes’ in writing, you could be in murky legal waters.

Why does it matter?

From a legal perspective, using someone’s image without consent can lead to all sorts of complications, particularly if it’s being used to promote a product or service. People have the right to control how their image is used—and more importantly, whether it’s used.

Even if someone posed quite happily for a staff photo at the Christmas party, that doesn’t automatically mean they’re comfortable being the poster child for your new recruitment campaign. Especially if they’re wearing a tinsel crown and holding a prosecco.

But we took the photo ourselves…

That’s great! You own the copyright. But copyright and permission to use someone’s likeness aren’t the same thing.

Owning the photo means you control how it’s edited or distributed. But when it comes to using it commercially—especially in a way that could imply endorsement—you still need the person’s consent. That’s where a model release comes in.

Real-world risks

Here’s where it gets interesting (and expensive).

Imagine you’ve launched a brilliant new brand campaign using images of staff or customers. But one person later objects, claiming they never agreed to appear in it. If they didn’t sign a release, they may well be within their rights to take legal action.

At best? You’re pulling materials from circulation. At worst? You’re facing claims for damages.

We’ve seen brands get caught out with everything from trade show banners to Instagram reels—simply because someone forgot to get a signature.

What should a model release include?

A good model release doesn’t need to be war and peace, but it does need to be clear. It should include:

-The model’s full name and contact details

-A description of how the image will be used

-Consent for specific uses (print, digital, advertising, etc.)

-Signatures of both the model and the photographer/company

-The date of agreement

It’s also a good idea to include a clause about usage timeframes and whether the consent is indefinite.

What about stock photography?

If you’re using properly licensed stock images—great! Most reputable stock libraries ensure model releases are obtained where necessary. But if you’re grabbing photos from Google, social media, or “my mate took this at an event”—you may be on shakier ground than a toddler in dad’s oversized wellies.

That’s the legal bit. But there’s also the brand bit. While stock photos can be convenient, they don’t always scream authenticity—or originality. We’ve written more about that in this post about the risks of relying too heavily on stock imagery, if you’re curious.

In short:always double check usage rights, and if in doubt, don’t use it. Your brand—and your inbox—will thank you.

So… what’s the PHd Design approach?

At PHd Design, we’ve worked with dozens of clients across industries to create brand imagery that looks the part and ticks the legal boxes. Whether we’re organising a full photo shoot or helping you select images for your website or packaging, we make sure model releases are part of the process—not an afterthought.

Because protecting your brand means protecting the people behind it.

And yes, that includes Dave from accounts.

Need help with photography, branding, or navigating the legal bits without losing your mind?

Get in touch with the team at PHd Design.We’ll help you stay creative, compliant, and just the right amount of clever.

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There’s no denying it—AI has officially pulled up a chair at the design table. (It hasn’t brought biscuits, mind you, which already makes it less than popular in our studio.) Whether it’s generating logo concepts, writing taglines, or spinning up websites at lightning speed, artificial intelligence is becoming a bigger part of the creative process.

But is that a good thing? And more importantly—should you be worried, intrigued, or booking yourself a robot assistant with a flair for fonts?

Let’s dig in.

AI: A clever assistant, not the creative director

We’ll start with the good news—AI can be incredibly helpful. For designers, it can save hours of time. It can handle the repetitive stuff, like cropping images or generating a hundred variations of a layout. For businesses, it can speed things up and make the design process more accessible.

There are tools now that can:

– Auto-generate logos based on keywords
– Mock up entire websites in seconds
– Suggest brand names and taglines
-Even write your blog posts

It’s tempting to see that and think Great! Job done! But here’s the rub: AI can only draw from what already exists. It’s not inventing, it’s remixing. Which means you’ll often end up with something that looks… fine. Not wrong. Not offensive. But not memorable either.

And that’s the risk.

Where AI struggles (and where humans shine)

Design isn’t just about sticking your logo in the right place or picking a colour that feels vaguely ‘corporate’. It’s about telling your story in a way that resonates. It’s understanding what your audience needs, where your business is heading, and how you want to be seen.

AI doesn’t know your customer. It doesn’t know your industry quirks. And it definitely doesn’t know that your Managing Director once vetoed a colour because it reminded him of his childhood dentist’s wallpaper.

These are the things that make a brand yours. And they’re what make design an investment—not just a pretty picture generator.

The risk of looking like everyone else

Here’s where it gets risky. AI design tools often pull from the same visual references over and over. That can lead to a sea of sameness—logos that feel familiar (in a not-good way), websites that look like they’ve been churned out on a conveyor belt, and content that doesn’t sound quite… human.

If your goal is to stand out in your market, that’s a problem. Design should give you an edge—not make you blend in with the background noise.

The risk of not owning your designs

This one’s a biggie—and it’s often overlooked.

Many AI tools (especially the free or browser-based ones) have terms buried in the small print that say you don’t actually own the work it generates. Yep, even if you spent hours tweaking it to get that just-right shade of blue.

In some cases, the AI tool retains the rights. In others, it pulls from copyrighted material without making that clear. The result? You might end up with a logo or brand asset you can’t legally protect—or worse, one that someone else already has.

Not exactly the solid foundation you’d want for your brand.

When you work with a proper design studio (hello), the final work is bespoke and fully licensed to you. No grey areas. No strings attached. And no risk of discovering your ‘unique’ logo is also gracing the side of a bouncy castle rental van in Huddersfield.

So, is there a place for AI in design?

Absolutely. We use it ourselves—sometimes to kickstart ideas, spot gaps, or help us with time-saving tasks. But always with a designer’s eye overseeing it. Think of it like a calculator: brilliant for the maths, useless at setting business goals.

The key is knowing when to use AI as a tool, and when to rely on human insight. Because the best design doesn’t just look good—it works hard, solves problems, and connects with people on a level that no algorithm can replicate.

Final thoughts (from a real human)

AI is exciting. It’s evolving fast. And used wisely, it has a valuable role to play. But if you’re looking to build a brand that’s rooted in strategy, with messaging that reflects your unique values, goals and quirks—you’re still going to need a human behind the wheel.

(Preferably one who brings biscuits.)

If you’re ready to explore how strategic design—powered by people—can help your business grow, get in touch. We’d love to chat.

Worried Your Brand’s Getting a Bit… Robotic?

If your visuals are starting to feel more copy-and-paste than considered and clever, it might be time for a more human touch. We help businesses like yours stand out with branding that’s strategic, original—and unmistakably you. No templates. No dodgy ownership clauses. Just design that does the job properly.

Not quite ready to chat? No problem. You can still get our best tips, brand insights, and behind-the-scenes studio nonsense by signing up to our newsletter. Click here to join us.

If your logo was designed in a hurry back in 2009… by your mate’s nephew… using WordArt… this one’s for you.

Because while it might’ve felt like a good idea at the time (and hey, it got you up and running), an underwhelming logo could now be quietly putting off potential customers. And no one wants to miss out on business because of a dodgy bit of clipart and a questionable font choice.

Here’s why your logo might be doing more harm than good – and how to sort it.

First impressions matter. (And logos make them.)

Let’s be honest – we all judge books by their covers. If you saw a rusty food truck with hand-drawn signage that said “FISH & STUFF,” you probably wouldn’t queue up. Same goes for logos. If your branding looks tired, inconsistent, or just plain awkward, people make snap assumptions:

Are they still in business?

Can I trust them?

Do they know what they’re doing?

Your logo is often the first thing someone sees. It appears on your website, social channels, invoices, vans, uniforms, email signatures, and possibly even your biscuits (if you’re that sort of company). A strong logo sets the tone. A weak one? It can cast a shadow before you’ve even said hello.

What makes a logo weak?

We’re not talking about strength in a Marvel superhero sense. But we are talking about things like:

Outdated design trends – If your logo screams “Web 2.0” with gradients and shadows galore, it might be time to bring it into the modern day.

Poor legibility – If you need a magnifying glass to read it on a business card, it’s not doing its job.

No versatility – A great logo should work in black and white, small or large, stitched onto a polo shirt or slapped across a billboard.

Inconsistent usage – If your logo looks different every time you see it (different fonts, colours, spacing), it chips away at your credibility.

In short: if your logo doesn’t instantly give off the right impression, it could be sending the wrong one.

The cost of a bad logo? Lost trust – and lost business.

People are busy. And cautious. Especially in today’s world, where competition is fierce and attention spans are short. So if your logo doesn’t inspire confidence, potential customers might not stick around to find out more. They might just click on your slick-looking competitor instead.

Brand perception matters – and your logo is a huge part of that. It’s not just a nice-to-have. It’s a strategic asset.

So… how do you fix it?

We’re glad you asked.

Step one? Don’t panic. You don’t necessarily need to throw everything out and start from scratch. Sometimes, a refresh is all that’s needed – modernising the design while keeping the essence of your brand intact.

Step two? Work with people who know what they’re doing. (That’s us, by the way.)

At PHd Design, we’ve been helping businesses look like they mean business for over 30 years. We know what works, what doesn’t, and how to design logos that don’t just look good – they work hard. Across formats. Across channels. Across whatever the world throws at them.

A quick test: Is it time for a logo rethink?

Ask yourself:

When was your logo designed?

Does it reflect who your company is today?

Do you feel proud to show it off?

Would it still make sense if someone saw it without your company name?

If you’ve hesitated at any of those, it might be time for a chat.

No pressure, no hard sell – just an honest conversation about how to help your brand put its best face forward.

And if nothing else, we promise we won’t use WordArt.

Is Your Logo Letting the Side Down?

Think your logo might be due a glow-up? We’re here for it. Whether it needs a full overhaul or just a tidy-up and a bit of polish, we can help you make sure it’s working for your business—not against it. Drop us a message and let’s give your branding the boost it deserves.

Not quite ready to commit? Fair enough. In the meantime, you can stay in the loop with our latest design tips, brand advice, and the occasional office dog update by signing up to our newsletter. Go on—it’s actually a good read. Click here to join us.