FACT: 94% of first impressions are design-related!
British researchers analysed how different design and information content factors influence trust of online health sites. The study showed clearly that the look and feel of the website was the main driver of first impressions.
One of the first impressions our DREAM clients have of us is how we look online - our website, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and other places.
Think about how you feel when you see an Instagram feed that looks aesthetically pleasing - it makes you feel happy or inspired (or jealous because yours is still a work in progress!! - that’s OK too, that’s a reason you’re here on our website to learn how to improve).
In this blog, we will be giving you seven amazing resources (free and paid) to help you level up your graphic design and creation.
We will look at:
What type of resources you should be searching for
Why you should use resources in your designs
How to find the best resources without looking like everyone else
What type of resources to search for
Some of the types of resources you can use in your graphic design and creation (and some that we use here at Live Virtually) are:
Interactive graphics such as GIFs (you don’t just have to use the ones in GIPHY!)
QR codes - if you are creating a flyer, for example, a QR code linked to your website or links page is a great way to utilise less space on your page
Emojis - you could use a large emoji as a social media tile with some simple words to show how you feel about a certain subject
Digital stickers - create your own or search in Canva
Stock photography - you may see the same photo over and over and over again on Instagram. A lot of people using the free version of Canva see Trending and want to get on the bandwagon! Try to use these sparingly.
Why you should use resources in your graphic design and creation
In your business graphics, you want to stand out to your DREAM client - not look like every other Instagram feed.
Using resources, either free or paid, sets you apart from others in your niche.
Make sure the resources you use speak to the branding within your business - you don’t want to use bright cerise pink stickers if your brand colours are neutral and muted!
Creating custom, or our beautiful word, bespoke, designs (or having them designed) for your business means that you are standing out.
Buying Canva templates is a great way to get started - make sure you are changing the colours, fonts, photos and graphics to your brand.
How to find the best resources without looking like everyone else
There are lots and lots of places where you can find great resources to go with your design. Some of our favourites are:
Ivory Mix* (Canva templates, stock photography, learning and more)
Biz Template Babe* (lots and lots and lots of different Canva templates plus a monthly social media drop membership)
Canva* (great for EVERYTHING!)
Creative Market (patterns, icons, templates and lots more)
Creative Fabrica* (a reasonably priced membership for graphics, illustrations, digital papers and more)
Hungry JPEG (enjoy daily and weekly freebies that you can use plus great $1 deals)
Unsplash (make sure you are doing really great searches as lots of people are using this service)
Pexels (same with this one - stock photography that is free can be very overused)
Pixabay (make collections for yourself in your Google Drive)
The Noun Project (great for icons)
Google Fonts (you can upload different fonts into Canva if you are using the Pro version). Dafont is another free font site.
FontSquirrel (find other free fonts - don’t forget to check licensing)
Mixkit - video stock and stock music (make sure you are checking the licences - we are not lawyers and don’t want you to get into trouble for not giving credit to an artist)
Lovely MockUps (iphones, ipads, posters, books and lots more - these are free and paid but you can also find some in Canva under Effects, SmartMockups)
Remove (great for removing backgrounds on photos if you are not using Canva Pro)
Do you need support in your business?
"Jo was referred to me when I was looking to launch my first online course. I was looking for someone to make my online presentation look great so I could focus on the launch. Jo did an amazing job with the presentation. She also went a step further to create the logo and branding for the new online business that I was launching. She went above and beyond and I am thrilled that I found her. I highly recommend Jo, she was professional but exceptionally friendly, efficient and proactive whilst delivering a fantastic service. Thanks Jo - I look forward to working with you again!"
__Phoebe Dray, The Cashflow Pocket Rocket
If you are a blogger, vlogger or podcaster and you are having issues with promoting your amazing content, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve got something especially for you!
Love Bug is going to give you weekly (or whenever your blog, vlog or pod publishes) promotional graphics to get your content SEEN by your DREAM client.
Keeping your blog, vlog or pod on a website or other platform is not enough - without promotion of it, you stay the world’s best kept secret! We don’t want that!
Interested? Learn more here.
Meet your magical Canva Designer + Trainer
Jo Draper is a Gold Coast based Canva Designer and Trainer.
She is a creative business owner who brings her inner child to work every day and always has a hint of fun and magic in her day and work.
Jo loves serving business owners on a journey to hit six and seven figures with her 1:1 services as well as courses, workshops and digital products.
Jo shares her knowledge of Canva as well as other tools that she loves for CRM, email marketing and other business systems.
You will usually find a Disney quote in her blog posts as she is quite a fan and loves to create magic from some amazing quotes.
When she’s not working, she enjoys Marvel movies, loves chocolate and listens to audiobooks while walking.
To work with Jo, fill out her contact form here.
Jo also hosts a podcast called Beautiful Conversations with Jo where she chats about her journey with breast cancer as well as other personal stuff. Check it out at www.livevirtually.com.au/podcast.
Interested in learning how to get started with your Canva designs? Check out www.livevirtually.com.au/work-with-us and let Jo help you create your own fun and magic!
*Affiliate link: if you choose to purchase something using one of my affiliate links, I will receive commission without it costing any more to you*