Brand Values that Value Your Customers
Why Consistency in Branding is Key (and why Canva alone just won’t cut it)
article by Fiona
We’ve all seen it, that moment when a brand pops up in your feed and you just know it’s them, before you’ve even read a single word... that’s the power of consistency! That’s the power of brand recognition, and most importantly, that’s the kind of work I do for my clients everyday, as an Irish branding expert and the lead designer at The Design Department.
Why Consistency in Branding is Key (and why Canva alone just won’t cut it)
article by Fiona
We’ve all seen it, that moment when a brand pops up in your feed and you just know it’s them, before you’ve even read a single word... that’s the power of consistency! That’s the power of brand recognition, and most importantly, that’s the kind of work I do for my clients everyday, as an Irish branding expert and the lead designer at The Design Department.
With over 15 years' experience (including over 10 years’ experience across top-tier agencies), creating cohesive visual identities for hospitality, retail, corporate and professional services and FMCG packaging design and digital marketing strategy, I’ve learned this:
A brand visual identity is not simply a logo, it’s how you make people feel!
A brand visual identity is not simply a logo, it’s how you make people feel!
Using templates
Don’t get me wrong, Canva and other similar platforms have their place. They're handy for a quick poster or social media post for an event, but... if you're a small business, a start-up or a marketing manager trying to build brand trust, launch a product or take your business to the next level, a generic template isn’t going to cut it.
Don’t get me wrong, Canva and other similar platforms have their place. They're handy for a quick poster or social media post for an event, but... if you're a small business, a start-up or a marketing manager trying to build brand trust, launch a product or take your business to the next level, a generic template isn’t going to cut it.
Other brands could be using the same one!
The point of templates for sale (or even free ones) on various platforms is that they are useful but homogenous, and countless others will have used the exact same one. Templates can’t tell your story, build an emotional connection and they certainly can’t adapt across packaging, digital, social and print with consistency if they haven't been tailor made for your brand. That’s what true brand building requires, a cohesive visual identity that sings the same tune no matter where your customer meets you.
The time to use templates is when you've been involved in the creation of your own bespoke branded templates for your marketing collateral. We can help you do that, we can create templates based on your existing brand identity guidelines or create new ones for you, so you're free to publish or post to your socials or create a presentation that is on brand, building trust with your audience.
Why it matters (especially in a crowded market)?
Some of the strongest brands, Irish or global, are so consistent they become unmistakable. From colour and typeface to packaging and tone of voice, it all aligns. That kind of brand coherence builds trust, and trust leads to sales.
As someone who’s been at the heart of creating brands from scratch, from custom logo design in Ireland to shelf-ready packaging, I’ve helped businesses go from a concept to a product that customers love and come back for. The Design Department's designs aren’t just visually strong, they’re commercially sound.
Why work with The Design Department?
When you work with a professional brand designer in Ireland, you’re not just getting good-looking graphics, you’re getting strategy-led creative backed by over a decade and a half of experience in what works and why, plus a genuine insight into what appeals to the local market. Have you ever wondered why, for example, US or European brand communications are not quite right for the Irish and UK market? It's never a matter of simply translating, it's about understanding the meaning and how the end user perceives what you are telling them.
💡 Strategy-first design, based on real consumer insight
🎯 Tailored brand visual identity that speaks directly to your target market
🛍️ FMCG packaging that sells, or marketing collateral that speaks to the target audience, not just looks good on a mood board
📱 Design that works across all platforms, from supermarket shelves to Instagram feeds
🤝 Long-term brand trust, built through thoughtful, emotionally intelligent design
So, what’s next?
If you’re a marketing manager, brand owner or entrepreneur ready to stand out and build your brand's visual identity, let’s chat. Whether you’re launching a new product or refreshing an existing brand, The Design Department is here to help you craft a compelling story, visually and strategically.
🚀 Fill in the form on the contact page for a no obligation call back to chat about how we can create a brand that doesn’t just look good, but feels right and grows your presence.
