Is your design saying the right thing about your brand? Have you sacrificed usability to have a pretty website? The truth is, design has a huge impact on how your brand is perceived. Web design can have direct affect on bounce rates and user friendliness. If you have a bad print design, it will get ignored and thrown in the trash. We’ve compiled a list of design faux pas to help keep your brand from making rookie mistakes.

1. Design Needs to Fit the Audience

Who are you talking to? What would they want to see? In all design branding strategies, you must pay attention to your audience. If you’re not properly communicating, they will lose interest. Make sure your viewers know what your product, call-to-action, or message is. Remember: what you like isn’t always what your viewers will find appealing.

2. Empty Space is Not Your Enemy

Take Apple for example. Not only are they the front-runners of innovation, they also have beautiful design that uses empty space as a part of their branding strategy. A lot of clean space actually focuses the eyes and makes content on the page pop. Properly used empty space is like a big loud arrow pointing directly to your message.

3. Legibility is Necessary

A black background and red font isn’t very reader friendly. Important factors to keep in mind are both color contrast and font size. Someone looking at a billboard is going to need more contrast and size than someone looking at a magazine ad. Try using a color scheme that is easy to read and stick to two or three fonts. What is your message worth if people can’t read it?

4. Treat Your Images Right

A picture is worth 1,000 words. Make sure that your images are not stretched or pixelated. This can wreak havoc on your credibility. A lot of people think that a good camera will magically take better pictures. Guess again! You need the skill of someone who understands the right angle, setting, lighting, and can edit the photo to look just right. Professional photography is definitely worth including in your budget.

5. Pay Attention to Hierarchy

Organize typography in order of importance so that the page has a flow. Think about what you want your viewer to look at, and in what order. A clear, strong message will catch the reader’s eye and make them want to learn more. If hierarchy isn’t used, there will be too much competing information, and you will lose your audience’s attention.

One definition of graphic is “shown or described in a very clear way.” That means that graphic design should be clear and concise. You never want someone to be confused about what your message is. If you think your design needs a little help after reading this article, feel free to contact us. We would love to help.