The CEO Teacher® Podcast: Episode Summary – "Use This Graphic Design Strategy in 2025"
Release Date: January 15, 2025
Host: Kayse Morris (@kaysemorris)
Introduction: Embracing Marketing for Teacher Business Success
In the January 15, 2025 episode of The CEO Teacher® Podcast, host Kayse Morris delves into the critical role of graphic design in elevating teacher-led businesses. Highlighting the significance of marketing, Kayse emphasizes how effective design strategies can transform a teacher's side venture into a thriving online business.
“Today’s lesson, teachers, is all about how to use this graphic design strategy in 2025.” [00:00]
Overcoming Graphic Design Challenges: A Personal Journey
Kayse shares her personal struggles with graphic design, likening it to grappling with algebra—a subject she could manage but never truly loved. This candid revelation serves to reassure listeners that proficiency in graphic design is attainable, regardless of one's starting point.
“Design does not come easily. I have a creative mind, but when it comes to making things look beautiful, it's just not my skill set.” [00:00]
She underscores the importance of understanding design principles to create cohesive and professional-looking materials, even for those who may not excel naturally in this area.
“No matter if you're good at it or not, you can follow this step by step game plan.” [00:00]
Introducing the CEO Teacher Clip Art Design Center
Kayse introduces Framework Number Nine from their programs: the CEO Teacher Clip Art Design Center. This framework is designed to empower teachers by providing tools and strategies to enhance their graphic design capabilities without needing advanced artistic skills.
“The fun thing about graphic design is that it is different for everybody and you can make it your own.” [00:00]
Key components of this framework include:
- Fonts and Typography
- Clip Art and Imagery
- White Space and Visual Aesthetics
Building a Visually Cohesive Brand
A central theme of the episode is the importance of establishing a strong, visually cohesive brand. Kayse advises teachers to carefully select elements that reflect their business vision and resonate with their target audience.
“Focus on building a strong, visually cohesive brand by choosing things like color palettes, fonts, clip art, or imagery that will align with your overall business vision.” [00:00]
Key Considerations:
- Color Palettes: Choose colors that evoke the desired emotions and align with your brand identity.
- Fonts: Select typography that complements the tone of your content and appeals to your audience.
“Make sure that you understand that fonts are really special when it comes to building out the perfect brand.” [00:00]
Kayse also emphasizes the importance of matching design elements to the appropriate educational level, ensuring that resources are both effective and visually appealing.
“If you're creating resources for high school, you may not want to do some crayon inspired fonts.” [00:00]
Sourcing and Utilizing Clip Art
Understanding where to find high-quality clip art and images is crucial for creating professional resources. Kayse advises investing in reputable clip art sources to avoid legal issues and enhance the visual appeal of products.
“Clipart today is infused with amazing people from all over the world that have the ability to create images for your business.” [00:00]
Tips for Effective Use:
- Cost-Effectiveness: Evaluate the investment in clip art against the potential quality and appeal it brings to your products.
- Legality: Ensure that all clip art used complies with licensing agreements to avoid legal complications.
Graphic Design Trends for 2025
Kayse outlines several key graphic design trends that teachers should incorporate into their business strategies to stay current and engaging.
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Minimalism and Bold Typography:
- Emphasis on simplicity with strong, clear fonts and color palettes.
- Removal of clutter to create a more impactful visual presence.
“Minimalism is in in 2025 with a much stronger and bolder impact.” [00:00]
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Micro-Interactions and Interactive 3D Elements:
- Subtle animations and interactive elements that enhance user engagement.
- Examples include animated arrows or pop-up bubbles that respond to user actions.
“Micro interactions and interactive 3D elements will also be hot in 2025.” [00:00]
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Retro Trends with a Modern Twist:
- Incorporation of nostalgic elements like scrapbooking visuals, washi tapes, and doodles.
- Asymmetrical layouts that add a personal and unique touch.
“Retro trend emerging with websites that bring back the nostalgia from scrapbooking days and washi tapes.” [00:00]
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Storytelling Through Design:
- Ensuring that every design element contributes to a cohesive narrative as users interact with content.
“Everything must tell a story as the user scrolls on your website.” [00:00]
Kayse mentions the ongoing revamp of the CEO Teacher® website to incorporate these trends, offering listeners a glimpse of innovative upcoming design elements.
Legal and Practical Considerations in Design
The episode also covers important legal aspects related to using graphic elements, differentiating between personal and commercial use, and ensuring adherence to licensing terms.
“If you find the clip art or elements in the public domain, they are typically also free to use. But to avoid any legal issues, you must abide by each creator's rules.” [00:00]
Kayse advises using PowerPoint for resource creation over Canva due to clearer usage terms, highlighting the importance of selecting the right tools for designing sellable products.
“We have determined after chatting with someone on Canva's staff that the terms of use are too gray and confusing for resource creation.” [00:00]
Final Thoughts: Empowering Teachers Through Design
Kayse concludes the episode by encouraging teachers to embrace the discussed graphic design strategies to enhance their business offerings. She reiterates the potential for increased sales and stronger brand presence through thoughtful design.
“I hope that you could use this graphic design strategy in 2025 so that your resources sell like hotcakes.” [00:00]
Listeners are invited to engage further with Kayse and the CEO Teacher community on Instagram for additional insights and support.
“Come hang out with us on Instagram, Casey Morris or the CEO Teacher.” [00:00]
Kayse wraps up with an optimistic reminder that the best is yet to come, motivating teachers to implement these strategies for ongoing success.
“As always, remember, your best is yet to come.” [00:00]
Conclusion
This episode of The CEO Teacher® Podcast provides a comprehensive guide to leveraging graphic design in building and enhancing teacher-led businesses. By addressing common challenges, introducing practical frameworks, and highlighting current trends, Kayse Morris equips educators with the tools necessary to create visually appealing and professionally branded resources that resonate with their audiences.
For more resources and to take the personalized quiz mentioned in the episode, visit kaysemorris.com.