17/09/2026
LOOKING FOR SOME CHEAP DESIGN WORK?
Well, you can’t have it. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for.
Yes, you can use Canva and of course a plethora of AI tools, and for many businesses, they can be incredibly useful.
But what you won’t necessarily get is considered design ... creative thinking developed through a strategic lens, with an understanding of your brand, your audience, the market landscape and what you’re trying to achieve.
Good design isn’t just about making something look good. It’s about making the right creative decisions, from brand hierarchy to messaging, imagery, impact and engagement. It's about creating a consistent and accurate representation across the whole brand experience.
If you’re a start-up or SME and don’t have the budget for an agency, I get it. You still need to get moving. My advice? Invest in the foundations first.
- Develop a clear brand strategy
- Establish your brand identity, colour palette and typography
- Create practical design guidelines so you know how to use them
- Develop a content strategy so you know what to say and how to say it
Then use Canva, AI or other tools to execute the day-to-day work within those parameters.
You may not have an agency creating everything for you, but you’ll have something far more valuable: a considered brand foundation that gives your business consistency, clarity and direction.
And when the time comes to invest in professional design, you’ll be starting from a much stronger place.
