Top 10 Mistakes to Avoid in Graphic Design In Your Brand Identity
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Good graphic design can make a powerful impact, whether that is creating visual design artwork and assets for packaging or print materials, or even social media content. If it’s a bad design, that can do the very opposite and even turn people away.
First impressions matter more than ever, in todays’ competitive world. Whether you are a small start-up, freelance or a marketing team in a national business, here are 10 graphic design mistakes to avoid — and how you can do better.
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1. Ignoring the Power of White Space
White space, also known as negative space, is your friend. Though you may feel the urge to fill every inch of a design, white space can make a positive impact. It helps create balance, draws attention to key elements, and also improves readability.
Tip: Use the white space to focus the viewers’ eye to the key message. Give your content design breathing room. Don’t fear the white space.
2. Overusing Fonts
Using too many different fonts in can make your content design look messy, disjointed and unprofessional
Best practice: Ensure your brand identity includes two or three complementary fonts. One for headings, one for body text, and possibly one for accents. Consistency is key.
3. Poor Contrast and Readability
Keep your content accessible. Avoid text colours that blend into the background or content colours that clash, making your content design hard to read.
Fix it: Ensure strong contrast between text and background. Use tools like contrast checkers, or ask team members, to make sure your content is legible, especially for including people with visual impairments.
4. Ignoring Branding Guidelines
Keep to your brand identity streamlined, by ensuring you have colour and font guidelines. All content design, visual design ads text, should provide a consistent identity; colours, fonts, logo usage, etc. Deviating from your brand guidelines will confuse your audience and will weaken recognition.
Example: Whether you’re a London café or an Edinburgh law firm, consistency across menus, ads, and signage builds trust and looks professional.
5. Using Low-Quality Images
Always use high resolution images, as pixelated or stretched images can instantly make your design, and your brand, look unprofessional.
If you’re using stock photography, choose images that not only look authentic but also aligns with your brand identity.
6. Too Much Going On
Don’t overwhelm your viewers by cramming in too many elements. Having too many icons, patterns or text blocks will only dilute your message.
Solution: Ask yourself: What is the single, most important, thing that I want the viewer to notice? Then design your content around that.
7. Neglecting Mobile and Digital Formats
Check your viewing platforms. Content design that looks great on a desktop screen might not translate to a mobile device or content limitations on social platforms.
Pro tip: Always consider where your design will appear? Whether it’s Instagram, a mobile app, or a printed flyer. Test each platform and adapt the layout.
8. Misaligned Elements
Margins, columns and text blocks should line up clean and balanced. Poor alignment can make even a well-designed piece feel amateurish.
Use grid lies and smart guides to keep everything uniform, this is especially important in website and brochure design.
9. Forgetting About File Formats
Oops! If you send the wrong file type to a printer or client, it can cause delays and poor results. Know your formats:
- JPEG/PNG: Best for web use
- PDF: Ideal for print and sharing
- SVG: Great for scalable logos
- AI/PSD: For working files you can edit later
Top tip: Ask your printer service which format and resolution they require, especially when preparing flyers, business cards, or exhibition banners.
10. Not Getting Feedback
A second pair of eyes is paramount for visual and content design
ers, even for the best designer, it’s a practice that should not be missed. Working on a project on your own, can lead to overlooked errors or missed opportunities for improvement.
Ask for feedback: Teammates, clients, or even your audience, especially before publishing or printing. Fresh perspectives can catch what you might have missed.
Final Thoughts
Graphic design is about clear communication, consistency, and connecting with your audience it’s more than just making things look good. By avoiding these mistakes, you’ll find that you’ll produce cleaner, effective visual designs that elevate your brand identity and leave a more lasting impression.
Get in touch with CMe Media to learn more about creating your brand guidelines
