"I just wanted to say thanks to you fellas for all you do for us. We count you as partners in our ministry! Your work, professionalism, vision, and talents really are a blessing."—Matt Vanderwarker, Bethel Baptist of Hampton Virginia
The Case for Professional Design
Graphic design is a craft involving activities and results whose effectiveness can't be easily quantified and measured. Yet, in today's economy, every church must look for ways to economize. Our firm is sometimes asked if we will print materials that have been designed by well-intentioned volunteers or staff. Our answer is, "Certainly, but...." We always try to express a few thoughts about what graphic design can accomplish and what its true value is.
Communication
Good graphic design is not about style or fashion. First and foremost, it is about communication. And it should always have a direct, bottom-line effect on any church's effectiveness. How much more value does a quickly- and easily-communicated visual message have over one that's neither? Frankly, we don't know the answer. But we do know that there is a cultural imperative today for graphic design quality and distinction. Like it or not, we live in a world that is over-communicated, and we must use media that are excessively cluttered. The only way to combat this condition is through design that distinguishes your ministry and quickly communicates its many messages well.
Image
We also know that good graphic design is about image-building. Over time, all products and organizations develop personalities, just as individuals do. Positive personalities (images and brands) are often among the most important properties any organization possesses.
In today's world, organizations that do not reinforce positive images or strengthen weak images will leave a positioning vacuum soon filled by competitors. Creating strong, visual identities is what we do. Our experience tells us that it is a function far too important today to trust to chance, or to an amateur.
Value
Please don't confuse cost with value. Perhaps it is a cliché to say that you get what you pay for, but that doesn't make it any less true. When you contract for graphic design, most of what you end up paying for is time. And most design time is executional in nature-i.e., "working things out." This process does not vary greatly from amateur to professional. The difference is in the value of time expended. This value is a direct function of how much talent, training, and experience it encompasses. Also consider that design fees are usually a fraction of total job costs (printing, media, etc., are the big ones). Thus, the incremental difference of opting for outstanding design versus a mediocre equivalent typically only increases costs 10% to 15% on a small brochure, ad, or Web site. Viewed from the bottom-line perspective, a small additional investment in design quality produces a return on investment that is sure to warm the heart of even the toughest business manager.
Flexibility
Our business is constantly changing, mostly because of more powerful computers and software. Unfortunately, they don't lower costs. Any new efficiencies or time savings are more than exceeded by the costs of keeping up with new technology. Also, better computers and software don't make good design any easier. Design is, as it always has been, a business of communicating. And machines don't communicate. The primary benefit of new technology to our clients is increased flexibility. It allows us to provide more solutions, options, and ideas-occasionally, even more quickly. For all these reasons, we are excited about what graphic design can accomplish for any ministry. And we are particularly excited about how we can make it happen for you.