When you use clip art in your logo or for your main branding graphics, you might as well be telling the world that your company is bland, boring, and that it doesn’t stand for anything. But your company has spice, and a unique personality all its own! So doesn’t your business deserve a great brand that shows off everything that makes ………………………………………………………………………………your company so great?
Your business isn’t cookie-cutter. So why use cookie-cutter clip art?
So, what is clip art?
“Clip art” has come to be described as purposefully generic illustrated images, which can easily be inserted into a wide variety of digital documents. The key words here are purposefully generic—because that’s what clip art is supposed to be: cute, only semi-informative images created so that they can supposedly be used in as many situations or scenarios as possible. Some software programs sneak clip art on to your computer, making you think it’s a great solution for your documents, such as your PowerPoint presentations, brochures, business cards, flyers, and whatever other mediums you use to showcase your business.
Value Your Brand – Say No to Clip Art
Clip art can immediately give off the wrong impression, and that means your company loses brand equity—FAST. So, you should NEVER use clip art for your logo. Your logo is the unique, memorable foundation of your business and your brand. To be taken seriously by your target audience, you need to take the development of your logo seriously.
Clip Art Looks Like…Clip Art
Clip art isn’t unique. Clip art isn’t memorable. Clip art is designed SO generically that sometimes even people who use it don’t see the “story” it’s trying to convey! Clip art doesn’t evoke real emotion. (Not to mention, a vast amount of clip art is just plain terrible.) Plus, you’re not fooling anybody. Most readers can tell a clip art image from an image that you had custom designed for your branded materials.
The Recipe for Branding Success
Remember the qualities of a great brand are….
Unique: Your brand mark should be entirely unique. Your logo should stand out from your competitors’ logos because it’s professionally designed and because it speaks to your target audience.
Memorable: Your brand should be memorable because it evokes emotion in your target audience.
Tells Your Story: Your brand tells the interesting and unique story of you, your business and/or your products and services.
Is your brand worth the investment? Deep down, you know clip art isn’t the solution to properly creating that lasting, loyal brand impression that continuously resonates with your target.
1. You are a professional. Professionals know that, to look like a professional, you have to hire the right professional for each task that’s not in your skill set. When hiring a designer or a branding expert, be sure to pick a person who understands brand strategy. You want to trust this person to take your branding from where you are now to where you want to be!
2. You are trying to differentiate your company from your colleagues. Clip art is available for everyone. When using clip art, free or paid, there is no guarantee that a colleague or competitor will not have used the same graphic because they thought it best represented their company.
3. It’s your business—make it your own style. Why do so many start-ups fail? Often, they’re afraid to flaunt their essence; they’re afraid to showcase their uniqueness. Why? Maybe they were advised not to, or perhaps they think that the mainstream will not accept them. But the businesses that find the most success make their business their own by never acting cookie-cutter and by NOT using cookie-cutter clip art for graphics.
You’re a star, so don’t settle for being a regular plain ol’ circular cookie. Instead, add your own spice to the recipe for branding and business success—and don’t be afraid to break out the sprinkles!
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