Why Graphic Design has Become a Commodity

Graphic Design has become a commodity over the last few years – but there’s still hope for you!

The general public has lost respect that they had a decade ago for Graphic Designers. The average person has an idea that graphic design is pretty pictures or logos that come out of design programs.

Have you ever been asked, “what program did you use to make that?”

Most of the time, people are caught up in the program used, and not the skill and talent of the person that created it. If the perceived value is in the program and not the person then it’s likely you’ll never get paid what you’re worth.

Another problem Graphic Designers face is low-cost graphic design is everywhere!

The internet has brought graphic design services to the fingertips of billions of people. What’s worse, is that the perception of value created by designers has gone way down.

Sites like Fiverr, UpWork, and Freelancer (to name just a few) are making a graphic design as cheap as a cup of coffee.

Along with that, a design is subjective to the eye of the beholder.

Take a look atRe-arranges screen to look at selected object. this logo.

Some people HATE it because it looks too much like a thumbtack and it doesn’t resonate with them that it’s a wine glass. Contrary, some people LOVE it because the thumbtack represents “place” and the wine glass represents the “wine.” Everyone has their own opinion on it.

Design, especially logo design, have a very low barrier to entry.

Every “experienced” designer laughs at their friend who has a pirated copy of Photoshop. You know who I’m talking about. That friend that’s a self-proclaimed Graphic Designer who makes $10 logos for their Aunt’s friends brother’s local t-shirt shop.

Meanwhile, Randy the plumber fixing your bathroom toilet went to trade school. He’s a licensed plumber that proves he understands building codes and local rules and regulations. He has to follow a series of sequential steps based on the evolution of modern plumbing.

The main difference here is that Randy’s job, like many non-design careers, is objective.

At the end of the day, people call on Randy to fix their toilet (or plumbing in general) and if he can’t get it to work he likely won’t be a plumber for long.

Meanwhile, the self-proclaimed Graphic Designer friend we all have is still landing “cheap” clients through friends of a friends relative’s friend (and maybe Fiverr nowadays).

You see the problem here?

Graphic Design has lost value in so many ways… but there’s still hope for you. You just need to re-position yourself in the market.

A strategy will make you worth more.

Coming across as a strategy-based company or designer will help you land higher valued clients. To do this, you will have to deliver brand strategies, that include much more than just a logo.

Business owners respect consultants and the expertise they bring to the table. Therefore, they are willing to fork up the money for them.

Position yourself as a design-consultant and help your clients breakBreak curve entities into two or more sections. Pause the cursor over the segment to break from the overall curve. Select the curve to break. through the barriers that are keeping them from reaching their goals.

A brand is a company’s reputation and a promise to the consumer. It’s something that puts the company on the top of the consumers’ mind when it comes time to purchase products.

Have no fear! Simply, re-position yourself in the market and you’ll have no problem living a career in graphic design.