Back to School, Back to the Basics: Good Graphic Design Matters

September brings sharpened pencils, crisp notebooks, and the smell of fresh crayons. It’s also the perfect time for businesses to get “back to school” with their own marketing—brushing up on the basics of eye-catching, consistent graphic design.

Think of your marketing like a student heading off to class. Does it look polished, prepared, and confident? Or is it rushing out the door with mismatched shoes and a wrinkled shirt? First impressions matter, and your brand is graded every day by your audience.

Pack Your Brand “Backpack”

A backpack holds all the essentials—pencils, notebooks, and a delicious lunch, right? Your brand backpack (or brand guide) should be just as ready. This includes your logo and acceptable variations, color palette, fonts, and imagery. Having all these essentials in one place ensures that every piece of marketing you put out—whether it’s a brochure, social post, or email—feels like it belongs to the same “student.”

Brand Guide Sample for Dane Dental

Comb Your Hair!

Before heading to school, most kids (hopefully) run a comb through their hair. Your website works the same way—it’s your first impression to the world. If it’s messy, outdated, or hard to navigate, visitors may not stick around. A fresh, mobile-friendly website design shows you’ve done your homework.

Create Strong Lesson Plans

Teachers use a lesson plan to stay on track, and your business needs one too. If your messaging changes from one platform to the next—different slogans, tones, or promises—your audience will get confused. Instead, decide on your brand’s core values and key talking points, then stick with them everywhere: your website, social media, brochures, even how you answer the phone. This consistency builds trust and helps people understand exactly what you stand for.

Show Your School Spirit

Nothing builds pride like school spirit—colors, mascots, and team gear. Businesses can create the same kind of excitement. Get your staff logoed shirts or jackets so they become walking billboards. Hand out branded pens or notebooks at client meetings. And don’t underestimate the power of vehicle lettering; in Madison, a branded vehicle on the Beltline or in front of a client’s home can make thousands of impressions in a single day.

Van lettering for Dwelling Artistry

Do Your Homework

Review your marketing regularly. Is your logo design consistent across all platforms? Does your social media reflect your company culture? Are your business cards up to date? Is your website optimized for smartphones? Taking a few minutes to double-check ensures you don’t show up unprepared.

Back-to-school season is all about fresh starts. If you struggle with marketing your business or aren’t sure if your design is “making the grade”, give us a shout! We love helping businesses sharpen their brand, simplify their message, and look their best.