The Importance of Design in Content Marketing

With the power of graphic design, a message can travel around the world and bring people together through social media.

Graphic design is one of the most potent tools in content marketing. No campaign or feed is complete without art, whether you are trying to reach stakeholders, decision-makers, leads, clients, or create a following. The only way to stop people from endlessly doom-scrolling is to present content through creative graphic design. Hubspot states that people will follow directions or a message better with illustrations than posts without graphics or photos by 323%.

According to recent research, over 3.96 billion people use social media, and the average person bounces between 7 different social networks a month. Said users also spend around 95 minutes a day on social media and consume an alarmingly high amount of content. Social media content can lead to significant decisions and sales, and even inspire a movement. But without art and the use of the modern marketing tool known as graphic design, a simple ad or post will fall flat and have little to no impact on your audience.  

What is graphic design?

Marketing-wise, graphic design is a medium to communicate your messages, ideas, Ads, and other content to your target audience, and is a perfect tool for effectively strengthening your message. Graphic design is not only about images or typography, but also about creating visually appealing and well-composed artwork that incorporates text, images, and a layout that facilitates easier readability for your audience. Successful designs provide users with an enjoyable experience and an opportunity to connect with the brand.

The importance and benefits of graphic design

According to 3M studies, the brain can process visuals 60,000 times faster than text. An appealing design used in social media can create a positive image and build brand awareness. Not only can you advertise your products or services through graphics, but you can also show your business culture, values, and overall brand through your graphic design elements.

What should your design include, and where is it used?

This is where a talented and trustworthy graphic designer comes in! Your designer has you covered when it comes to creating all of your design elements—from YouTube banners, social media icons, Instagram stories, Facebook Ads, daily content for all of your social media platforms, blog posts, graphics, videos, and any other artwork required for your brand's online and offline presence. A talented and well-equipped graphic designer can create beautiful, possibly viral graphics and eye-catching logos and entice people to take action regarding your brand and what you're selling. 

Graphic design is used to create your logo, business cards, marketing materials, infographics, particular offers, sales ads, and memes. In other words, design is the creative face of your business and is the magic that leaves a memorable impression in your audience's minds. Aside from the quality and reliability of your actual service or offering, creative design is what allows your brand to stand out from your competition and is what will keep your customers coming back for more.

Graphic design and the human mind

Psychologist Albert Mehrabian concluded that 93% of communication is nonverbal—the brain also simultaneously deciphers elements within an artwork. Likewise, language is decoded in a linear sequential way, allowing the brain more time to process the information. According to the Media Education Center, visuals can emphasize a point or trigger and reinforce the retention of information, both cognitively and emotionally.

Researchers have also stated that a human's average attention span is around 7-8 seconds, and when people stop from their fast scrolling to look at your content, it will be for less than one minute. Most often than not, nowadays, people don't enjoy reading a lot of text and prefer to receive information visually.

Graphic designers work with so many creative elements daily to help bring your business to the next level. Social media marketing is now the primary source for many companies to gain exposure for their brand, attract customers, and expand their audience. In today's visual world, graphic design can transcend many layers of communication, where words fail, design and art speak, and close the gap in communication. 

Fuel your business growth with a tech-savvy and strategic marketing plan! DuartePino helps you see the bigger picture to discover opportunities you didn't know were possible. With a Marketing-as-a-Service approach, scale-ups and startups can focus on keeping the flame alive at the forefront of their business while our trusted advisors keep the fires burning behind the scenes. Contact one of our trusted advisors for more information.

* This blog post was written by Lolette Acevedo, Creative Advisor at DuartePino.