6 Common Design Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Designers, get ready. Your clients are going to want you to fix those design problems. Learn how to spot the early warning signs...and how to fix them before they become costly.

We live in a visually driven society. Websites, apps, and social media posts are often designed using visual elements that tell stories, inform, entertain, or persuade. Whether you’re a designer, developer, or user, understanding the basic rules of effective design will empower you to create better websites, apps, and web pages.

Design can make or break your website. A well-designed website not only looks good but also functions well and helps you achieve your business objectives. On the other hand, a website with poor design can be frustrating to use, visually cluttered, and unproductive.

These are the six most common mistakes designers make when it comes to design and how you can avoid them:

Overdesigning

You may be tempted to go all out and overdesign your product, but resist the urge! Not only will this make your product more complicated and difficult to produce, but it'll also be more expensive.

Simplicity is key when it comes to design. Think about the Apple logo—it's minimalist and timeless. Or the Nike Swoosh—it's simple and easily recognizable. These are examples of designs that have stood the test of time because they're not too flashy or overdone.

So keep it simple, and you'll be sure to create a product that people will love for years to come.

Lack of Focus

You might be making these mistakes without even realizing it. When you're designing a space, it's important to stay focused on the goal. Sometimes people get too carried away with all the different options and they end up with a space that's cluttered and chaotic. Keep your design simple and streamlined, and you'll be much happier with the outcome.

Not Understanding Your Audience

It's so important to understand your audience when you're designing something. If you don't, you could end up making a mistake that could cost you a lot of time and money.

For example, let's say you're designing a new website. You need to think about who your target audience is, what they want, and what kinds of things are going to appeal to them. If you make assumptions about what they want or design something that's not relevant to them, you're going to lose them pretty quickly.

The best way to avoid this is to do your research and talk to your target audience directly. Ask them what they're looking for and what kinds of things they like. This way, you can be sure that your design is on point and meets their needs.

Not Considering the User Experience

One of the biggest mistakes you can make as a designer is not considering the user experience. It's not enough to come up with a cool concept or design; you need to think about how people will actually use your product.

For example, if you're designing a website, you need to think about things like how people will interact with it, how they'll navigate through the pages, and what kind of information they'll need. You also need to make sure the website is responsive and looks good on all devices.

The same goes for app design. You need to make sure the buttons are easy to tap, the menus are easy to navigate, and the overall design is visually appealing. If your app isn't user-friendly, people will quickly lose interest and move on to another one.

Not Being Consistent

One of the most common design mistakes is not being consistent with your branding. If you have a specific style or look that you're going for, make sure all of your visuals adhere to that style.

This includes everything from your website to your social media posts to your print materials. The more cohesive your branding is, the more professional it will look. And when you look professional, people are more likely to trust you and do business with you.

Ignoring Trends

Trends come and go, and it's important to stay up to date with the latest ones if you want your designs to look current. But sometimes people make the mistake of ignoring trends altogether, or of incorporating them without knowing why.

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to incorporating trends into your designs. First, make sure you understand why the trend is popular in the first place. What is it about the trend that people are responding to?

Then, try to think about how you can uniquely apply that trend. Don't just copy what you see other people doing. Be creative! And lastly, always test your designs before you publish them. Just because a trend is popular doesn't mean it's right for your brand.

Conclusion

It's so important to get the basics of design right, especially when trying to impress investors. None of us are perfect designers (I know I'm far from it), but it's still worth trying to learn from others and studying common pitfalls like poor composition and clutter. On the flip side, when you're designing something complex, don't underestimate the importance of simplicity. After all, a little bit of good design goes a long way.