Four Common Graphic Design Mistakes from a Marketer's Perspective

As a small business owner, I'm sure you've dabbled in the world of graphic design (thank goodness for Canva, am I right?). It's definitely a finely honed skill that people spend years perfecting. Graphic design is an art, which means it is subjective. However, when you're designing your marketing materials, there are a few things to keep in mind to get someone's attention and keep them coming back for more.

Inconsistent Branding: Who are you again? I've said it before and I'll say it again. Be consistent with your branding. Imagine you're at a party and someone introduces themselves as Dave. Five minutes later, they come back in a different outfit and introduce themselves as Steve. A little confusing, right? The same goes for your brand. Inconsistent branding not only leads to a lack of trust in your company, but also lowers your brand recognition.

Tips: Stick to a consistent color palette, fonts, and overall style in ALL your marketing materials. Don't forget your logo or your username!

Readability: I'm Sorry... What? Have you ever tried to read something in frustratingly fancy, curly font or have to zoom in on text that's really small? I'm sure if you kept at it, it was something important enough to you that you spent the extra time to do some deciphering. Otherwise, I'm sure that you moved on. So does your potential audience.

Tips: Choose clean, legible, and appropriately sized fonts. Ensure there's enough contrast between your text and background.

Too Busy: I'm Not Reading That. Picture this. You're mindlessly scrolling on social media and you see a graphic that's covered in pictures, text, and there is hardly any negative space. Do you sit and read it or say, "Mmm, yeah. I'm not reading that." You have three seconds (sometimes less) to grab someone's attention on social media. Use the space you have wisely.

Tips: Be concise and be sure the information on your graphic is the most important. Everything else can go in the caption or description. Embrace negative space; less is more.

QR Codes on Social Media Posts. QR codes are super helpful, but there's a time and place for them. People tend to peruse social media on their phones. They usually don't have a way to scan a QR code when the QR code is on a social media post.

Tips: Use that extra space for a design element or making your font easier to read. If you make a printed version of the graphic, add the QR code so people can take out their phones and go to your landing page.

There you have it - four common graphic design mistakes and how to avoid them. Remember, when it comes to your marketing, it's not just about looking good, it's about communicating your message effectively. By staying consistent with your branding, using your space wisely, as well as keeping your designs easy to read, you're well on your way to wow your audience!

Happy creating!