6 Tips to Improve SaaS Graphic Designs
In the world of Software as a Service (SaaS), graphic design can make all the difference.
Well-crafted visuals that are visually pleasing can help you get more visitors, boost engagement rates, and increase sales. With a nicely designed graphic, you can easily grab the attention of prospective customers, effectively convey your message, and establish your brand.
However, creating effective graphics for SaaS can be challenging. To assist you in improving your SaaS graphic design skills, we have compiled a list of six tips to guide you through the process. These tips will guide you on how to create designs that not only look visually appealing but also produce successful outcomes.
#1 Design for the reader, not the boss
A common mistake that designers make when creating graphics for SaaS blogs. Designers need to remember that the audience they are trying to reach is their users, not their bosses. Designing for the boss's taste or personal style might seem like the right thing to do, but if the design doesn't resonate with the target audience, then it will not be effective.
To create graphics that resonate with the target audience, designers need to understand their users' preferences and create designs that connect with them. By doing so, you can effectively communicate the key features and benefits of the SaaS product to potential customers.
For example, when designing a landing page for a SaaS product feature, it's essential to keep in mind the user's needs and wants. The landing page should provide clear and concise answers to the user's questions such as "What is the product all about?" and "How will it benefit me?" The design should provide clear call-to-action buttons and provide easy navigation to important links such as the pricing page, FAQ page, and customer testimonials.
The use of consistent branding elements such as colors, typography, and logo can help create a cohesive and recognizable design. It is essential to consider the user's demographic information when choosing colors and typography. For instance, if the target audience is mostly millennials, then a modern and sleek design with cool colors might be suitable.
Typography is another critical element to consider when designing for the target audience. Fonts can convey different emotions and styles, and designers must choose a font that matches the product's personality and voice. A sans-serif font might be ideal for a modern and professional SaaS product, while a hand-written font might be more suited for a creative and informal SaaS product.
#2 Understand the content & topic before your design
When it comes to graphic design for SaaS products, understanding the content and topic before beginning your design is essential for creating effective and engaging visuals. Design is not just about making something look pretty – it's about communicating information in a clear and compelling way. In order to do this, designers need to have a deep understanding of the subject matter they are working with.
One of the first things a designer should do when working on a new project is to research the topic they will be designing for. This includes reading up on any relevant background information, as well as understanding the main ideas and themes that need to be conveyed. Depending on the project, this may include understanding complex technical concepts, industry jargon, or highly nuanced subject matter.
Once a designer has a clear understanding of the content they will be working with, they can begin to craft a design that will effectively communicate that information to their audience. This might involve creating infographics, charts, diagrams, or other visual aids that can help users quickly grasp complex ideas. The designer may also need to consider the tone and mood they want to convey with their design, as well as the specific audience they will be targeting.
Whether you're working on a new blog post, social media image, or infographic, make sure to spend plenty of time researching and understanding your topic before you begin designing. With the right approach, you can create graphics that are not only beautiful but truly effective at engaging and informing your audience.
#3 Keep your designs simple
Simple is better. The power of simplicity cannot be understated, for the best designs are always the most focused.
Simplicity is essential when designing SaaS graphics, as too much imagery or text can overwhelm users and obscure the message that is trying to be conveyed. It is often difficult to identify the most vital elements of a design when there is a considerable amount of clutter in the visual landscape.
A design that is clean and concise provides users with a more comfortable and more accessible experience. When designing your graphics for SaaS products, always strive to communicate your message concisely and effectively. A dashboard that is overcrowded and challenging to navigate will not be useful to anyone, whereas a clean and straightforward design will provide a streamlined and easy-to-use user experience. Every element of the design should have a purpose and add value to the user's overall experience.
Keeping designs simple ensures that they are easy to read and understand, making them more accessible to everyone, regardless of their technical skillset. A design that is overly complicated or hard to understand will undoubtedly reduce the user's interest in the product, resulting in lost revenue and ultimately an unprofitable venture.
The simplicity of design can also convey a sense of professionalism and quality, as users can easily see how much thought has gone into the attention to detail.
#4 Get to the message fast
In today's world, where the attention span of consumers is just a few seconds, it's essential to get to the message fast when designing graphics for your SaaS business. In fact, studies show that viewers only spend about 5 seconds looking at a piece of content before deciding if it's worth their time. Therefore, if your design doesn't get to the point quickly, you risk losing your readers' attention immediately.
Fortunately, there are ways to ensure that your design communicates its message effectively in a short time. The key is to use headlines, subheadings, or bold text to draw attention to the key message. The more engaging and attention-grabbing the headline, the more likely the reader is to continue reading.
It's important to note that the main message of your design should be clear right from the start. For example, when designing an email newsletter for a SaaS marketing product, the main message should be apparent in the subject line and preview text.
Additionally, breaking up the content with engaging subheadings helps readers to digest the information more easily. This strategy makes it much more manageable to consume the content and keeps the readers' interest. Consider using visual elements such as images, infographics, and videos, which are more attention-grabbing and help illustrate key points in a more engaging way.
The ultimate goal of designing graphics for your SaaS business is to make your design immediately understandable to your target audience. By getting to the point quickly, you're ensuring that your design is memorable and has the intended impact on the reader.
If you're struggling to get started, there are several useful tools at your disposal. Google Fonts and Adobe Fonts are great resources for finding appropriate font styles and weights that match your brand's personality. Adobe Stock and ShutterStock are excellent libraries of images, photos, videos, and illustrations that can enhance your design and bring your message to life.
#5 Add your brand marks correctly
Brand marks are essential. They play a significant role in building brand recognition and establishing a strong visual identity for your business. By adding your brand marks correctly, you can ensure that your designs are consistent, identifiable, and memorable, helping you to stand out in a crowded marketplace.
One of the most critical steps in adding your brand marks correctly is to start with a high-quality version of your logo. Your logo is the central element of your brand identity, and it should be clear and crisp, with the correct colors and proportions. Using a low-quality logo can have a negative impact on your designs, making them look unprofessional and inconsistent. Make sure you have access to all the necessary files, including vector files, so that you can resize and scale your logo accurately without losing quality.
Another key consideration is to choose the right placement and size for your logo. Your logo should be placed in a visible and prominent location that doesn't interfere with other design elements, such as headlines or images. Make sure it's scaled appropriately, depending on the size and shape of the design you're working on. You want to ensure that your logo is legible, recognizable, and doesn't overpower the rest of the design.
Consistency is also essential when it comes to adding your brand marks. Use your logo and color scheme consistently across all your design elements, whether it's your website, social media posts, or product demos. This helps to build a strong and stable brand identity, making it easier for customers to recognize and remember your business.
#6 Keep your designs consistent with your style guide
Consistency can make or break the success of your brand identity. One of the most important things you can do to ensure that your designs are consistent and cohesive is to keep them aligned with your organization's style guide. Your style guide is your North Star for all things design-related, so it's important to make sure that you follow it closely.
One of the most important elements of your style guide is your brand's color palette. Your colors are a crucial part of your brand's identity, and they can evoke certain emotions and associations in your target audience. By ensuring that your designs use the same colors as your brand, you can create a sense of familiarity and comfort for your audience. After all, when they see your brand's colors, they should immediately think of your products or services.
Typography is another crucial element of your style guide. The fonts you use can communicate a lot about your brand's personality and tone. For example, a playful, whimsical brand might choose a quirky, hand-drawn font, while a more serious, professional brand might opt for something more traditional and formal. By keeping your typography consistent across all your designs, you can reinforce your brand's personality and create a strong visual identity.
In addition to color and typography, your style guide should also include other design elements, such as icons, graphics, and imagery. These elements should all be in line with your brand's overall aesthetic, whether that's modern and minimalistic, or bold and expressive. By keeping all these elements consistent across all your designs, you can create a cohesive visual language for your brand.
Seek Inspiration from Other Sources to Improve Your SaaS Graphic Designs
Finding inspiration from other sources can help you improve your SaaS graphic designs. Check out design blogs or websites such as Behance or Dribbble to see how other designers are approaching design challenges. Take inspiration from other industries or fields, such as fashion, architecture, or nature.
In conclusion, graphic design is an essential element of SaaS marketing. With the right approach and techniques, you can improve your designs and create visuals that not only look great, but also communicate your message effectively. Keep these tips in mind as you create your next design, and focus on creating a memorable and effective design that stands out from the competition.