5 Common Graphic Design Mistakes To Avoid

We find it on the billboards, in our mailboxes, on the pages of trendy magazines… you name it.

You may ask yourself why is the use of graphic design is so widespread? Well, in this era, brands have mastered building their communication channels, drawing attention and building loyalty through visual messages. They hope that the color use and font choices will capture consumers’ attention and that, eventually, their brand will be recognized as trustworthy in the eyes of the target audience.

However, it can be a tricky business. If a logo or a website or other marketing materials are carelessly designed, they can potentially cause a lot of harm to the company. Instead of evoking the intended emotions, the audience might find it unprofessional, which can cause them to move to another, better company. To avoid these things happening to you, we’ve compiled a list of five common graphic design mistakes for you to be aware of.

Using Too Many Fonts

Playing with fonts may be fun, and can really make a design stand out, but using more than two or three in a piece can look cluttered and confusing. So, just to be on the safe side, stick to a more conservative approach and keep your design clean and organized instead of chaotic.

Also, since the primary purpose of design is communication, make readability and legibility your top priority. Don’t disregard them for aesthetic reasons.

Thinking a Bit Too Much Outside of the Box

Don’t lose track of the client’s vision. Just because you can add something to your design doesn’t mean you should. Sure, you can come up with a suggestion but at the end of the day, you’ll have to submit work that meets the company’s requirements. Try to keep in contact with the client to ensure that what you are working up is heading in the right direction.

Thinking of White Space as Empty Space

So many graphic designers see white space as boring or wasted space. But it’s not true! If you fill your design with unnecessary elements you’ll make it impossible for the eyes to “travel” through the design easily. White space can add some sophistication to your design and make it seem more professional. It can also help you to put the focus on a specific aspect of your piece.

Blindly Following Popular Design Trends

Trends are not everlasting. They leave as quickly as they come, so if you’re hired to design a composition that was meant to last for years, stop blindly following them. Try to think about designs that are more likely to have longevity for your client’s brand.

Grammar Issues

You want to make sure your design or project has proper grammar. So take your time and learn some of the design-oriented rules of grammar that can keep your designs professional.

Graphic designers make common mistakes such as using too many fonts, losing track of the client’s vision, filling designs with unnecessary elements, not checking grammar, blindly following trends and so on. We’re hoping that this small guide will help you to avoid these mistakes. And remember – just keep it simple!