If your brand isn’t grabbing attention, or worse getting ignored, your design might be the silent killer. Good design speaks for you when you're not in the room. Bad design? It makes people walk out of the room entirely.
Here are five common graphic design mistakes that might be slowly killing your brand, and how to fix them before it’s too late.
1. Inconsistent Branding
The Problem:
Your logo looks one way, your Instagram another, and your website is a whole different vibe. No consistency = no recognition.
Why It Hurts:
People don’t remember what they don’t recognise. If your brand identity changes every time someone sees it, they’ll forget you faster than they found you.
The Fix:
Use consistent:
- Fonts
- Colours
- Logos
- Tone of voice
Create a brand style guide if you haven’t already, even a one pager is better than nothing.
2. Overcomplicated Designs
The Problem:
Trying to cram everything into one design, ten fonts, five images, and a paragraph of text in one Instagram post.
Why It Hurts:
Overwhelming = keep scrolling past. Clean, simple design communicates confidence and clarity.
The Fix:
Use visual hierarchy:
- 1 bold headline
- 1 sub headline
- Clear call to action
- Whitespace is your friend. Let your design breathe.
3. Poor Typography Choices
The Problem:
Fonts that are hard to read, outdated, or just plain ugly.
Why It Hurts:
Typography sets the tone. A bad font can make your brand look amateur, even if your product is top shelf.
The Fix:
Stick to 2-3 typefaces max. Choose ones that reflect your brand’s vibe:
- Clean sans-serif = modern
- Serif = more classic or editorial
- Script = stylish, but use sparingly
- Never sacrifice readability for style.
4. Using Low Quality Images or Graphics
The Problem:
Pixelated logos, blurry product photos, or outdated clipart.
Why It Hurts:
Low quality visuals scream “I cut corners.” People judge your business on how you present it.
The Fix:
- Use high resolution images
- Hire a designer or photographer when it matters
- Invest in good mockups or brand photography
- Don’t use 2005 Google images.
5. Design That Doesn’t Match Your Audience
The Problem:
Your brand looks trendy, but you sell to tradies. Or it's overly corporate, but your audience is creative startups.
Why It Hurts:
If your design doesn’t speak the same language as your audience, you’re designing for yourself, not them.
The Fix:
Know your audience inside out:
- What do they like?
- What turns them off?
- What problems are you solving for them?
Then design with that in mind, not just what you personally like.
Final Thought
Design isn’t just about looking good, it’s about being remembered, trusted, and chosen. If your design is off, even slightly, it can cost you leads, sales, and reputation.
Need a new logo or a brand refresh?
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