Digital marketing is important for any and every business. However, when it comes to graphic design, it’s not always easy to make the best decisions.
Many companies tend to make many errors with graphic designs. One of the best ways to avoid making such mistakes is to know about them.
Read on to learn about common mistakes with graphic designs and how to avoid them.
1. Poor Font Choices
It is important to be conscious of the context of the message when choosing a font. Fonts that are too casual can undermine the professionalism of the design, while fonts that are too formal can seem stale and impersonal.
Additionally, too many fonts used in one design can make it look cluttered and busy. It is best to stick to one or two font families in a design and be consistent throughout the design.
When picking fonts for a design, make sure the fonts are complementary and have appropriate weights and styles. Spending time researching and experimenting with fonts is an important step in crafting the perfect design.
2. Cluttered Layouts
When using a cluttered layout, the audience may find it more difficult to interpret the message due to the overwhelming number of visuals used. To help prevent a cluttered layout, it is important to focus on creating an organized and cohesive design by using fewer visuals, or better yet, creating a single, bolder visual.
Make sure to also leave enough space for the audience to process and focus on the main message. Additionally, it is important to consider the arrangement of the elements in the design; create well-defined sections to avoid having an overwhelming and cluttered design.
3. Inconsistent Branding
Inconsistent branding is one of the most common mistakes made when creating graphic designs. Poor planning can lead to inconsistent fonts, colors, jargon, or visual styles, which can harm brand recognition. To avoid this, develop a guideline that clearly outlines the font, color, and general style preferences of the brand before creating any design materials.
Be sure to implement the branding guide on all projects and have it edited by an outside party to ensure it is being followed. Additionally, review projects along the way to ensure the branding is uniform and the integrity of the overall design is intact. Ultimately, having a detailed brand guide and having proper oversight will help ensure consistent branding across all designs.
4. Lack of Contrast
It is easy for designers to overlook contrast, particularly when busy and intricate designs are used. For designs to be effective and for the intended message to be received, contrast is key. To ensure that a design contains enough contrast, it is important to consider color, shape, and size.
Choosing contrasting colors, shapes, and sizes can help to ensure that an audience is engaged with the design. Additionally, when using typography it is also important to consider size, alignment, spacing, and font choice.
Making sure that individual elements stand apart visually will hold the audience’s attention and ensure the message does not go unnoticed. With the right amount of contrast, graphic designs will be more effective and successful in conveying the desired message.
5. Ignoring Hierarchy
One common mistake with graphic design is ignoring hierarchy. Hierarchy refers to the way information is organized and prioritized so viewers can understand its content. If a designer forgets to recognize the importance of hierarchy, the message of the design may become difficult to follow or comprehend.
To avoid this mistake, start by determining the most important elements of the design, like text, images, or logos, and organizing them in a way that allows them to stand out. When creating the text on designs, use a large font for the main messages and a medium or small font for supporting information.
Finally, pay close attention to how the elements interact–they should complement each other, not compete. By understanding and respecting hierarchy, freelance graphic designers can create successful and impactful designs.
6. Improper Image Resolution
Improper image resolution is a common mistake made with graphic designs. Resolution is the number of pixels in an image; the higher the resolution, the more detail an image contains. When images are set to the wrong resolution, the resulting image appears blurry and low-quality.
To avoid this mistake, be sure to use images with high quality and resolution. Also, keep in mind the size of the images you plan to use and make sure the resolution is high enough to suit the size they’ll be printed or displayed at.
When possible, make sure to get the assets in the right format, size, and resolution for your project. If resolutions are not available, online tools can be used to adjust them.
7. Overuse of Effects and Filters
Overuse of effects and filters is a common mistake when it comes to graphic design. Many times, too much of the effect or filter can be distracting, which takes focus away from the actual design. To avoid this, focus on the elements of the design that need to be highlighted.
For example, making a text look visually interesting does not need to be done by using a lot of filters, simply including a few typeface options would be much more appealing. Additionally, decide on an overall color scheme that works with the design and stick to it – using too many colors will also distract a viewer.
8. Lack of White Space
White space is critical in design because it creates clarity for the viewer and emphasizes elements in the design. If a design is too cluttered and without enough white space, it becomes overwhelming and difficult to interpret.
To avoid this mistake, designers should leave ample white space between elements and only include necessary components in the design. For a particularly busy design, consider grouping elements together by category, further emphasizing spacing and creating a visual organization.
Avoid These Common Mistakes with Graphic Designs
Graphic designs can be an integral part of any successful project. By avoiding common mistakes with graphic designs such as not knowing the target audience, neglecting the purpose, and having incorrect color selection, you can develop better graphic design outcomes.
If you’re not sure how to avoid these mistakes, consider hiring a professional to ensure you create a great design.
Visit our blog for more articles aside from these graphic design principles.
