5 Common Design Blunders

All designers make design mistakes some point in their career. Through classes, internships, and jobs we all learn how to avoid making the same mistakes. Here is a list of five common design errors and how to avoid them.

Font Heavy
It is important to limit the number of fonts used in a design. Too many fonts make a design lose consistency and appeal. A general rule for font use is to limit yourself to three or less fonts per design.

Incorrect Color Mode
It is important to know when to use CMYK and RGB. CMYK is typically used for print and RGB is used for the web. RGB has a wider range of colors compared to CMYK’s limited four color range.

Failing To Proofread
Failing to proofread is one of the most common errors I’ve seen. It can be very easy to miss an error when working on a project for hours. It is very important to proofread every design or get another person to look it over.

Clashing Colors/Patterns
When colors or patterns clash, it’s not only hard to read but also to get the message across. The viewer will most likely pay more attention to the colors/pattern and miss the message or not even register it at all. It is important to keep a design simple, clean, and have a clear message.

Misuse of the Bleed
Bleeds allow you to run artwork to the edge of a page. A common mistake designers make is not designing past the bleed. If a designer does not design past the bleed the final product can be uneven or will have an unwanted border.

Have any more common design errors you've noticed? Comment below!

What the Hell Is a Creative Brief?

A creative brief is a document created through meetings or interviews between a client and designer before the project is started. A creative brief helps designers understand what a client wants, helps clients know what they want, and helps avoid unrealistic expectations.

A creative brief includes:

Useful background information
Project overview
Existing files to be used
Objective
Target market
Image and tone
Thoughts on design
Other

Useful Background Information
This includes anything that would be relevant to the project like when the business was founded, their mission statement, what the company does, etc.

Project Overview
What is the purpose of the project? This typically includes what the client wants done at the end of the project.

Existing Files to Be Used
This is is an optional part of the brief where a client can supply logos, letter heads, or some company design they want included in the project.

Objective
The objective is what the client wants to come out of this project. This could mean a new logo, new brand, or updating their company look.

Target Market
The target market is who the company wants the project to appeal to. This could include different age groups, social groups, behavior, etc.

Image and Tone
How a client wants their business to be perceived. For example, if a client's business is new they might want to be perceived as established, professional, and forward-thinking.

Thoughts On Design
This is where the client can let the designer know what they want and expect for the project. They can specify what they specifically want and don't want in color, overall design, and theme.

Other
This is an optional section for notes like a due date or something that doesn't fit in with the other sections of the brief.