Graphic design is the art and practice of planning and projecting ideas and experience with visual and textual content. The structure of graphic design based on what physical or virtual images, words, and textual context it brings in a medium is considered a language. As with the interlinked digital and physical content of which industry it represents, it may vary for different purposes such as in commercial, educational, cultural, or political.
One of the advantages of leveraging graphic design is that it can improve the online customer experience of the business. When good content is matched with good visuals, it will be much easier for the audience to understand what the content intends to convey, which then results to positive customer experience, higher engagement rate, and even better ranking in SERPs.
With the vast positive contributions of graphic design, it is also essential knowing how to modernize this accordingly to avoid the collective sins that it is exposed in. Check out this infographic to learn more about the top graphic design sins that is mostly seen with a slight of consideration to avoid.
1. Confusing Font Styles
Using font styles such as Comic Sans, Papyrus, and Curlz MT are not appropriate for business contexts because their embellishments, unique curvatures, and unusual designs, can make the message difficult to read and understand. When creating critical marketing collaterals such as brochures, it is best to stick to standard non-decorative fonts such as Sans Serif and Arial.
2. Improper Kerning and Piled Text
In typography, kerning is the process of adjusting the spacing between characters in a proportional font, usually to adhere visibility. Toning down the text within the rest of the design will be sufficient for the readability of the medium if the design will not over rely with free images. Your readers may have a hard time to read the web medium if it is also not aligned correctly, improper font style which results to improper kerning as well, it may appear confusing and readers may lose the interest to read the content furthermore.
3. Unsuitable Color Scheme
Some bright colors such as yellow, red, and neon colors combined with colors that are not suitable from one another can make the medium more confusing to the eye. Today, using bright color schemed palette does not captures the eye of the readers, and with this as an issue, might as well avoid using distracting bright colors and stick with color combinations that has cooler schemed palette.
4. Overdesigning
The idea of having a website with off the wall features that nobody has ever seen before might sound exciting, but if there’s no rationale behind a visual the novelty will wear off very quickly and your visitors will lose interest. Whitespace is one of the most overlooked and underutilized elements that make up a great web layout; this is the space between elements in a composition that enables your viewers to view more the medium in clarity.
5. Relying on Design Trends
Creative ideas are vibrant online but building on creativity with no accurate direction cannot enhance the competence of a business either. Scanning online for ideas is good but creating a web medium designed originally by the business itself can accumulate more interest from readers which technically is the purpose on why graphic design is used for.
6. Overdoing Bevel and Emboss
Applying a touch of realism for the text on the content of the web platforms is appropriate. But when emphasizing a certain thought, as some point, some artists can over power the use of bevel and somewhat embossing it further to have a “good” level of treatment. But instead of overdoing the emphasized word or phrase, the trend that is mostly applied nowadays is simplicity and minimalism in text.
7. Creating Objects and Logos in Raster Format
Using logos from stock website can be difficult considering the eligibility of the source. Making sure that the source runs into copyright meaning that it is legitimate enough to be used, and visible even in print. It is advisable that logos are created uniquely and will represent the brand as it is.
8. Not Proof Reading
This is a highly-common mistake that most graphic designers forget to consider because in the aim to deliver good quality graphics, designers often miss the time to recheck the content submitted to them. At times, texts can be riled up through the design and become blurred with the thought that the medium is portraying.
10. Relying on Spell Checker
Verifying the content to the editor is best, rather than relying on the spell checker program alone. At times, spell checkers can still miss some grammatical errors and won’t mark as a mistake, for instance in spelling of a certain word. Ensuring the quality of the text makes the design of the overall material more efficient and relatable to others.
In conclusion, being mindful of the different sins to avoid in graphic design can help businesses to get their message out visually, accurately and packed with colors and elements that leave a lasting impression to their audience.
Jomer B. Gregorio is a well-rounded expert when it comes digital marketing. Jomer is also known as a semantic SEO evangelist and practitioner. Check out our Digital Marketing Services today and let us help you in achieving positive and profitable results for your business.