Disclosure: I am a designer. YES. The value that a design has in a first impression helps with that first bit of traction so so much. I've had projects fail be

Disclosure: I am a designer. YES. The value that a design has in a first impression helps with that first bit of traction so so much. I've had projects fail because of crappy designs, and crappy projects succeed because of - subjectively - great ones. Invest, it's not even that much compared to some of your other costs. Look into students (like me!) who may need the money and the recognition, though don't abuse them.