So, should You Hire a Brand Designer Who’s Worked With Your Competitor? Yes. Here’s Why.

Spoiler: It doesn’t mean your brand will look the same. It means it’ll actually work.

We get it. On the surface, it sounds like a red flag.
“She’s worked with another business in my industry? Won’t my brand just look like a copy-paste version of theirs?”
Not if you’re working with the right designer.
Here’s the thing: when a designer has worked with someone in your space, it’s not a threat—it’s an asset. They’re already fluent in your industry. They understand the quirks, the customer behaviour, the market saturation, and what makes people choose one business over another. That’s strategy, friends.
And no, it doesn’t mean you’ll get a rinse-and-repeat identity. A good designer isn’t just about looks—they’re about positioning. They’re trained to differentiate you, not replicate your competitor.
In fact, working with someone who already understands your audience can mean getting to the good stuff faster. You don’t have to waste time explaining the 101s of your industry. Instead, you get to focus on what makes you different—and your designer can build a brand that actually amplifies that.
Plus? If they’ve already helped a peer in your space nail their branding, chances are they’ve also learned what not to do. That’s experience. That’s insight. That’s gold.
So next time you see a designer’s portfolio and spot a familiar name? Don’t write it off. See it as proof they know their stuff—and that they’re more than capable of creating a brand for you that’s not just different, but undeniably better.