5 Graphic Design Mistakes

• Size of your Images

  Check your dimensions. Start here. Where are you going to be publishing your designs?
  Understand proportions so that your content doesn’t get unexpectedly cropped.

• Too many fonts and using the wrong ones

  Often clients can’t decide on their favourite fonts, so what do they want to do? Use all of them! This over complicates the design and loss of hierarchy occurs. Hierarchy is important because this is where your viewers rely on seeing important information highlighted. 

  If there are too many elements or words shouting at them at a first glance, they become dis interested and look away. 

  The other thing is knowing which fonts are right for you. Using a light and happy script doesn’t sit well with the likes of funeral director logos, Plumbing, Medical or anything that emits a less-than-appealing feeling. 

  Stick to sans serif fonts for those. 

  Script fonts are however perfect for your invitations and boutique logos; i.e. florists, home décor or fashion brands. Remember readability, can your viewer read what it says and are they seeing the most important message?

• Understanding Space 

  Seeing those facebook profile pictures with the logo half in view is not professional! Reduce clutter and allow for some space around your logo or design. 

  The basic rule being the height or width of one of the word characters (at the minimum). Using capitals for measurement is a great rule of thumb!

The blue line indicates the length of the characters used - these become your rule of space

• Resolution of Images

  Another thing you need to watch for is resolution. This is the quality and number of pixels present in your images. Print and Digital are different. Often you won’t be able to send your logo to the designer copied from your website. Or use it for a street sign. 

  Photos are all made up of pixels too. Nothing is more difficult on the eye than an image that isn’t sharp. Something else that will have your viewers/customers walking away. 
  Visual communication is key  

  A lot of the time if you are supplying an image to a designer it will be too large for email. I like to use wetransfer (no sign up or log in) – just enter your email and your recipients email address, attach your file and ta da! Click send. Photos will be png or jpeg. Vectors (logos typically) will be ai, eps or pdf.

  See below for image examples:

• Printing Source

  Printing costs can vary, don’t spend all your time and money on great design only to get it printed on the cheap. This is where you should focus most of your attention. Poor cutting or colour runs can look bad and leave an awful taste. Pick quality over quantity. You want clients to know you’re willing to put effort in to presentation, because it means you’re putting effort in to everything else. Not cutting corners (pun intended)…

Want feedback on your logo?

Upload it using the button below and we can help you make it better.