arm pointing at laptop screen and critiquing bad design

Graphic design is an integral part of any business, organization, or individual. It can be used to promote a product or service, inform or educate the public, or simply make something look pretty. However, not all graphic design is created equal. In fact, some designs are so bad they can hurt a business rather than help it. 

It's easy to make mistakes when starting in graphic design. Even experienced designers can sometimes mess things up. But if you want to avoid making typical graphic design fails, then read on. 

In this post, we'll cover some of the most common mistakes people make and how to avoid them. So whether you're a beginner or an expert, be sure to steer clear of these things.

1. Using too Many Words and Fewer Visuals

One of the simplest ways to turn off your audience is to include too much text in a piece of communication that is designed to be primarily visual. When it comes to creating infographics and presentations, this is especially true.

2. Incorporating Too Many Fonts

When comparing a rookie design to a professional design, one mistake that stands out is the number of fonts utilised. When there are too many distracting fonts in work, it isn't easy to understand the content. As much fun as experimenting with typefaces to convey various emotions and ideas, marketers should limit themselves to two or three fonts for each design piece. Using a single typeface can also be effective because it creates your brand identity and adds consistency.

3. Poor Kerning

Keep in mind the kerning of your typefaces. Kerning refers to the spacing between letters and makes a significant difference in the final output of your artwork. Adjusting the distance between letters can improve the legibility of the text and its overall appearance. Squint or cross your eyes to focus on the space between the letters rather than the lettering.

4. Using Too Many Colours

Using too much colour can be overwhelming and can take away from the content of your design. Try to use a limited number of colours, and make sure they complement each other.

5. Readability Issues

Another common pitfall is cramming too many words onto a single line of text. For reading, a line length of 50 to 60 characters is recommended.

6. Not Paying Attention to Details

Make sure all elements of your design are accurate and in line with each other. Check for spelling mistakes, misplaced details, and any other errors.

7. Inadequate Use of White Space

A visual design that lacks white space (or negative space) is a sure sign of an inexperienced designer. Think of white space as any other important design element instead of considering it a waste of space.

Others frequently make the mistake of overloading their designs or attempting to fill every available area.

8. Lack of Alignment

The correct alignment of pieces is one technique to achieve order and symmetry in your design. A sloppy and disorganised product might result from a lack of alignment.

Instead of randomly putting elements, utilise grids to arrange them carefully.

9. Creating Non-Mobile Friendly Designs

70% of time spent on digital media is spent on mobile devices. Given this statistic, it makes it reasonable to design for mobile users. It's a major mistake to focus on the desktop first. Instead, consider mobile-first design for everything you create; it's how people consume information nowadays.

10. Using Stock Images

When working on a project that requires certain photographs, stock images can be a useful and economical option. Using too many stock photographs, on the other hand, can make your project appear cheap or unprofessional. 

Many common stock photographs are reused repeatedly, making them a dead giveaway when utilised in a marketing piece. Also, to prevent sending out images with a watermark or low resolution, be sure you are correctly acquiring the photos you do end up using.

11. Failure to Design for Your Target Market

This is a common thing among newcomers to the industry. They rely on their own tastes or current trends rather than thinking about the target audience and preferences. To avoid this mistake, you should determine your target audience so that you may make appropriate design selections. You should also choose typography and colours that appeal to your target audience.

12. Ignoring the Rules of Visual Hierarchy

Visual hierarchy is an essential notion in graphic design. It conveys to the audience the relative importance of each feature to the others. The most important message in your design is the most prominent, followed by the subtitle and then the body text.

13. Insufficient Space Between Lines

Leading refers to the distance between texts. If there is too much gap between lines, your text will appear disconnected, and if there is too little space, your blocks will appear too tight.

14. Errors in Scaling Elements

Designers are sometimes hesitant to employ large and tiny sizes in their work. They shouldn't, though. When you're done, make sure the elements aren't extended in ways they weren't meant to be stretched in; otherwise, they'll become distorted. To generate a dramatic appearance, several items are enhanced in size.

15. Lack of Consistency

A lack of consistency and repetition in your designs is another mistake you should avoid. For example, you should use some of the same visual elements (such as image filters or button types) and layouts throughout your project. But be careful not to go overboard. You don't want each page to look too much like the others.

To establish a sense of uniformity and cohesion, choose a font and colour palette that you can use consistently.

Conclusion

Graphic design can be a great way to showcase your business and grab attention online. But before you start designing, it's essential to understand the basics of good design. Avoid these 15 graphic design fails, and you'll be on your way to creating beautiful visuals that represent your brand well. 

If you're still learning how to make your own graphics, Dzyn Space is the perfect platform for you.

With Dzyn Space, our free online graphic design tool has never been easier for non-designers to create amazing graphics quickly and easily – no experience required. Sign up to our free online graphic design software, start designing today, and see how easy it is to put your best foot forward with stunning visuals.

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