design that draws a crowd: why great design isn’t just a pretty face
Let’s be honest: in a world of endless scrolling, short attention spans, and too many tabs open at once, standing out is harder than ever.
And yet—some brands seem to do it effortlessly. Their website feels just right. Their Instagram posts stop you mid-scroll. Their packaging? Straight into the camera roll.
Here’s the secret: it’s not magic. It’s great design.
At Hubble, we’ve seen time and time again how thoughtful design can completely transform the way customers perceive (and choose) a brand. And we’re not just talking logos and colour palettes, we mean the whole shebang: tone, layout, imagery, and the tiny details that make you feel seen.
So what makes design go from “meh” to magnetic? Let’s break it down with three tips you can put into action today.
1. Be consistently and authentically you (everywhere!)
Why it matters: Trust is built on familiarity. When your design is all over the place - one style on your website, another on your social feed, and yet another on your packaging sends mixed messages. That inconsistency can quietly chip away at your brand credibility.
What to do:
Create (and use!) a simple brand style guide: include fonts, colours, logos, tone of voice, and image styles.
Align your digital and physical touchpoints - your email newsletters should feel like your Instagram grid, and your Instagram grid should feel like your website.
Use templates where you can to keep things cohesive without reinventing the wheel each time.
✨ Pro tip: If someone covered your logo, would your audience still know it’s you? That’s the goal.
2. Design for humans, not just aesthetics
Why it matters: Beautiful design that’s hard to navigate or confusing to understand will leave people frustrated, and gone! Great design serves your audience, not your ego.
What to do:
Think mobile-first. If it doesn’t work on a phone, it doesn’t work.
Use hierarchy (size, colour, spacing) to guide the eye. What’s most important? Make it obvious.
Keep copy clear and scannable. Most people skim—so break things up with headings, bullet points, and callouts.
👀 Remember: the best design often feels invisible because it just works.
3. Let your personality show
Why it matters: People connect with people, not faceless brands. Your design should reflect who you are and why you do what you do. A little personality goes a long way in a sea of sameness.
A brand personality can survive the test of time and doesn’t need to change with the times or with the current political or social situation, it’s what makes your business so memorable and what your consumers identify with.
For example, look at Coca Cola… a brand that’s very well known for being sentimental and evoking strong emotional memories. Why? Because they created their family friendly, likeable personality from the get go when they were invented.
And, 129 years later, their brand personality is still strong and thriving!
Coca Cola have been able to consistently maintain their brand personality and ensure that consumers continue to have these overwhelmingly positive associations with their brand.
Similarly, sports brands stay relevant thanks to their personality.
The likes of Nike, Adidas and Reebok have all stayed relevant and at the top of their industry despite having existed for so long because of their brand personalities. Can you imagine these leading brands ever fading away?
What to do:
Choose imagery and illustrations that feel human and relatable (no more awkward stock photos, please).
Let your tone of voice shine in your design. If you’re friendly, warm, and straight-talking—make sure your layouts, colours, and typefaces reflect that.
Inject small moments of delight—like unexpected hover effects, witty microcopy, or playful packaging details.
✨ Pro tip: The goal is to make your audience feel like you get them - because you do. Research. Know your audience likes.
Ready to turn heads with your design?
If you’re nodding along thinking, “Yes, this is what we need,” then good news: we’ve bottled up even more tips and examples into a handy little guide.
[Download our free guide: How to Attract More Customers with Great Design]
It’s packed with practical insights and zero jargon—just what you need to make your brand irresistible.
Because design isn't just about looking good.
