Elements of a Winning Design
There is an unbreakable bond between art and the very soul of the human experience.
Visuals contain form and function. They convey detailed and descriptive messages. They humble and inspire. They can be extravagant and still be done with a delicate precision. Most importantly, they evoke an instantaneous emotional reaction.
All of that is why great design — when conveyed through the minds and the hands of someone who both wields and respects the craft — can be as subtle as a whisper and yet still carry the weight and power of a sledgehammer.
At M3 Group, our creative visionaries take their work in graphic design seriously and with a purposeful mission. Once they finish a design, they have one question they must answer for themselves: Is this a winning design?
What do we mean in terms of winning? It’s simple, really. Is this design something that could win an award? Could it “win” the account? Is it a win for our clients?
Our designers can best articulate the kind of design that answers the previous questions.
Kathryn Aspin: “A winning design uses creativity, technical choices, color and imagery to make an impactful design that the viewer/consumer is engaged by.”
Ah, the technical creative visionary. The one who follows the rules and then looks at design in the way Coco Chanel looked at fashion. Chanel’s advice for before leaving the house was, “look in the mirror and take one thing off.” Similarly, Aspin will wrap up a design and then either remove something or choose to add an element. This methodical, intelligent approach is one way to get to a winning design.
Chad Hussle: “In the overload of information today, a winning design makes the viewer pause, look twice, incite a chuckle, a thought or a wow.”
Hussle is an emotionally targeted designer. You can usually recognize his work because it has that “wow,” “OMG” or “aww” in it that is uniquely him. His designs are consistently, well … Chad. They make you laugh, they make you think or they make you pump your fist and shout, “Rock on with your bad self!”
Emily Hanes: “A winning design successfully communicates a message and leaves the user wanting more.”
Hanes’ approach is always leave them impressed enough to ask for more. A client may have wanted a new logo but didn’t realize how much they wanted a billboard that shouts their brands from rooftops until they see the logo that packs a punch. That’s what Hanes does: Her stealth and perceptive insight has a way of sneaking up unexpectedly to shake everything up with impressive work strategies.
Notice how each designer has different styles but the same end result? That’s the goal when you are a team.
So how can you get to a winning design? Our M3 Method will help research your needs in our magnify phase. Then we’ll motivate the design team with the challenge of creating something incredible. Finally, we’ll implement that design into the products that will market your brand in an exciting way.
Is it time to enhance or change the design aspects of your company or brand?
Ask yourself these questions:
Does this design fit the technical design standards that will allow it to last and fit into my branding easily?
Does it make me think, laugh, or say “aww” or “wow”?
Does it make my client or customer want to know more?
As our Chief Marketing Strategist Sean Hickey would say, “A winning design has exactly everything that’s needed to accomplish the communication goals and exactly nothing that isn’t.”
Contact us and let us put our M3 Method to work for you.
