Photo by Museums Victoria on Unsplash
Designing graphics is something that a lot of people believe they can do when in reality, they can’t. Just because they have the tools for it doesn’t necessarily mean they are good with digital design. It needs a level of creativity that stands out and isn’t too generic. Think about it, not everybody was good at art in school, because they didn’t have that level of creativity. They didn’t have a spark for it. This is very similar to graphic design; you need to have that spark of creativity.
What are the skills of a modern digital graphic designer? Well, they need to have the ability to create something that communicates a clear message. That doesn’t need words to describe what it is displaying. Additionally, there is a lot more that needs to be considered with graphic design, so let’s take a look at the 7 deadly sins of graphic design.
Forgetting To Proofread
One of the mistakes that people make when they are creating graphics is typo errors. You think that it is just common sense; however, that is not the case. There have been so many errors from graphic designers when they have created an image and set it live. Once it is out there, it can paint a completely different image for those who see it. It will completely distract the audience from the message that you are trying to communicate. Not to mention that it looks like an amateur has created it.
Avoiding this is actually very easy. All you need to do is use the common graphic design tools and spell check to ensure there are no errors. Then finish your final check by getting somebody to proofread your work.
Poor Composition
Another common mistake with graphic design is composition. This is fundamental with a good graphic, so understanding this particular skill is essential. Furthermore, many graphic designers will make their design chaotic, and it would be hard for the reader to understand what the graphic is showing. The graphic needs to be easy to read.
A good method of ensuring you have the right composition, consider having a text hierarchy. Consider an invisible grid to separate the various sections of your graphic. Not to mention including some form of symmetry.
Don’t Use The Wrong Font
Using the wrong font is another common mistake. Now, you may find it hard to believe, as there are thousands of options out there, but you can still choose the wrong font. This is because some of them are very hard to read, leading the reader to spend too much time reading the graphic. The right font can make all the difference.
If you use a font that is too chaotic and complex, it can ruin the overall design and professionalism of it. This can be quite harmful to your reputation. Even the little adjustments, such as adding swirls to the text, can make it harder and longer to read. Furthermore, choosing different fonts can also communicate a different mood. Get the basics right with your font and text, and your graphic will go a long way.
Stretching Text and Logos
Another very common mistake for graphic designers is overstretching their logo and text. The reason why they do this is that they want to cover up the blank space. But as the age-old saying goes, sometimes less is more. Just because you have some blank space doesn’t mean you need to fill it. Plus, why would you spend so much money and time on a logo that you are just going to overstretch and ruin? Embrace that blank space and don’t overstretch the logo or text of your graphic.
Poor Colour Section
Poor colour selection is another common issue with graphic design. Too many graphic designers will choose colours that clash and don’t work together. In some instances, the wrong colour will be chosen for a text font, which can then be difficult to read on a certain background.
To Conclude
Being a great graphic designer is difficult because it is an art. That being said, there are still basics that you need to know/get right to ensure your graphics are to a good standard. You don’t want them to be too difficult to read. You also want the reader to know exactly what the graphic is about and what it is displaying. This is something that a creative agency in Manchester specializes in, understanding the characteristics of a graphic and what it should display.