Understanding the impact of the global economic crisis, AI-generated covers, and the value of investing in quality design.
As we navigate through a rapidly changing world, the cost of just about everything has gone up, and the design industry is no exception. Whether you’re an author looking for the perfect book cover or a business owner in need of a fresh brand identity, you’ve probably noticed that hiring an experienced designer is more expensive than it used to be. But why is that?
The answer is a mix of global economic challenges, increased demand for quality, and the reality that cheap alternatives—like AI-generated designs—just don’t cut it. In this blog post, we’ll dive into why professional design services are worth the investment, and why going for the cheapest option might end up costing you more in the long run.
1. Designer services are getting more expensive
Clients are complaining more and more that good, experienced designers have raised their prices. Prices have gone up due to the global economic crisis, where everything has gotten more expensive. Groceries are more expensive, clothes too, and pretty much anything that’s essential for a decent middle-class life. Design services are no different.
2. Cheap designers vs. Quality
Sure, there are always cheaper designers out there, just like there’s cheap bread – but that bread isn’t tasty or healthy. The same goes for cheap design. It might save you money upfront, but the quality won’t hold up, and that’s something you’ll end up paying for in the long run.
3. AI-generated covers – A hit or miss
Then there’s the AI-generated covers. Yeah, they exist, but even after 20 prompts, they still don’t deliver satisfactory results. Plus, the quality is usually pretty bad. AI might be fun to play around with, but when it comes to professional results, it just can’t compete.
4. Amazon’s AI cover detection algorithm
And on top of that, Amazon has developed an algorithm to detect AI covers. Books with these covers are ranked poorly right from the start, which makes selling them almost impossible. So, while AI-generated covers might seem like a shortcut, they’ll actually hurt your sales.
5. Accepting the reality
Clients need to come to terms with these facts. I mean, nobody walks into a store to complain about prices or demands the supermarket lower them, or else they’ll go on a hunger strike (yes, that’s irony). The same goes for design services. Quality comes at a price, and that’s just how it is.
At the end of the day, design is more than just visuals—it’s about communication, identity, and professionalism. The rise in design costs reflects a broader economic shift, but it’s also a reminder that quality work comes with a price. While cheaper alternatives or AI-generated designs might seem tempting in the short term, they often lack the finesse, creativity, and market understanding that only a skilled designer can bring.
Yours,
Smashed-Grid Studio
