Comments on: What’s More Important: Copy or Design?

By: Xtend-Life Review

Xtend-Life Review — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 02:49:53 +0000

Short answer: Both.

I agree with what Bob said, the design is the copywriters responsibility. I would hate to spend time writing the copy to not have any say so in how it actually gets put on paper or the website.

By: owen frager

owen frager — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:19:29 +0000

Copy and long copy does SELL
Ogilvy said :”the headline is the ticket on the meat”
You don’t make a decision based on the look of the ticket versus the content

By: Ken Norkin - freelance copywriter

Ken Norkin - freelance copywriter — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:31:53 +0000

In a message to art directors on my Web site and in my direct mail targeted to them, here’s how I address the importance of design and copy working together:

“You work hard to produce designs that convey your clients’ personalities and grab their prospects’ attention. But after first impressions, the message only gets across if the words are right.”

I know there are many “no-copy” ads that have won creative awards. And I supsect that those ads were well-liked by TV viewers and magazine readers. What I don’t know is if they actually sold anything.

By: Brian Terry

Brian Terry — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 10:37:30 +0000

As a direct response website designer I must admit to being biased towards the importance of design.

Having said that…

It’s got to be the combination of compelling copy with eye catching design that is the real winner.

In my experience great copy on a page with no design elements will sell. But it won’t sell as much as if you combined this with great copy.

In other words…

It’s the design (visual elements) that pulls people into the copy and it’s the combination of both that sell.

By: Sam Nichols

Sam Nichols — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:20:10 +0000

To be honest, I believe the question is a bit irrelevant: what stops one to have grea copy and at the same time a great design?
They can and should coexist in my opinion

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:16:53 +0000

Prof. Lessig, who writes about copyrights as opposed to writing copy, noted once that historically, we were first visual in our communications, but that language was created because people were searching for meaning, and pictures were insufficient to convey meaning. I think that the same holds true in the design v. copy issue. A good design can draw the reader in on a primitive level because of the original role that played in human communications, but then he wants more meaning, and the copy gives it to him or her.

By: Angeline Plesek

Angeline Plesek — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:12:54 +0000

I agree with Bob on this issue; copy is more important than design.

That is not to say design isn’t important.
I think it is very important in terms of readability. If someone has to “try hard” to read your copy; they are out of there.

Go to a webpage with a black background and white or red text. Your eyes will hurt.

As an advertising copy expert once said, “You can have the most handsome salesperson standing there next to a product, but if he or she isn’t saying anything, nothing sells…it’s the words that sell!”

By: Cynthia Maniglia

Cynthia Maniglia — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:53:36 +0000

Did anyone mention that a picture is worth a thousand words?
Or the pen is mightier than the sword?
Or how about the ultimate phrase relevant to your post, “The medium is the message.”

: )

I say – a GREAT CONCEPT trumps copy and design. IDEAS rule. To the idea person, the highest pay!

Hey – guess what? The code thingie I have to type in below my comment to submit says “Ballard pen.” Interesting … ironic?

By: Bob Bly

Bob Bly — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 17:27:57 +0000

Ted: I think every competent direct response copywriter feels exactly the same way as your colleague. We prefer to work with our favorite designers. We care about graphic design. We want the piece to look great. And we hate it when poor design ruins our copy.

By: Best Virtual Advertising » Blog Archive » What’s More Important: Copy or Design? - bly.com blog - bly.com …

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:39:44 +0000

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