As the world becomes more digital, graphics products are continually gaining more prominence. From social media graphics display picture to product display image and web layout design, you need a graphic artist to bring your dream to life.
If you want to up your game as a graphic artist in 2021, you should avoid these mistakes that seem to beat down your work value.
Graphics allow you to create a new business logo, product or brand mockup, print media for ad campaigns, and 3D artwork designs. This article focuses on some of the most common mistakes that graphics artists make, and you should avoid them this year.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in 2021
1. Misunderstanding of Idea and Instructions
Every graphic artist should have a prior instruction that they are executing from the client. It may be in form of a new business idea or an advert campaign for hard copy fliers and online soft copies.
The client holds the prerogative to communicate the instructions accurately to the designer. But if the designer finds any grey area, he should also ask questions for more clarity.
There should also be an established communication channel while the project is on, which could maintain optimum efficiency. If possible, after receiving the instructions, the designer should go over the instructions to ensure proper understanding.
2. Excess fonts
When a design carries multiple fonts, it reduces the readability and reader’s satisfaction with the work. Whereas all graphic products are meant to communicate something unique, too many fonts do the opposite.
Some designers consider playing with fonts fun, but you get annoyed when there are more than 10 fonts in a few paragraphs. Experts suggest that at most, three fonts should be enough for a single layout.
3. Poor color contrast
Text font and size are essential in graphics, but color is another component that remains essential in design. A great designer must first show his expertise in choosing the right color combination.
Even with fonts’ right choice, when there is a wrong combination of colors, it is even difficult to attract readers in the first place. A correct color combination gives the best contrast, improves readability, and catches the viewer’s attention.
4. Hard-to-read text
Another common mistake is poor readability, which may arise from fitting too many words in a single line. For instance, experts recommend that a maximum of 50 to 60 characters is ideal for a bar.
However, this limit is concerning the font type and size, which may differ. And anytime you have more characters in a single line, the design appears too clumsy with a low readability score.
5. Using stock images with watermarks
It is a poor decision to use stock images for designs for two primary reasons. It is unprofessional to use a picture that is not unique and that other designers could easily find.
Secondly, many stock images contain a watermark, which indicates exclusive ownership of the picture. Otherwise, a designer can purchase the right to such an image from the owner.
It may be challenging to avoid stock images altogether, but when using them, ensure you find unique ones with no copyright restrictions on them. You don’t want your client to consider your work as cheap.
6. Grammatical errors from not proofreading
No client wants to find any grammatical nor technical error on their project. While the designer focuses on building a unique design with great aesthetic value, he must not leave of grammar check.
It doesn’t take long to check for any spelling error in your work before making the final delivery. And it is not enough to just use an automatic grammar check; take time to do a manual review if the system leaves something out.
7. Poor management of space
Due to the vast space in a design layout, designer experts must use that space judiciously. Moreover, managing space does not mean exhausting the space. There is such a thing as white or negative space that a great design should have.
In short, space is part of the design because it tells the reader where the next action point is. It also draws the reader’s attention to the actual text to read.
8. Designing for wrong medium (soft or hard)
A graphic designer’s work does not end with his delivery; there is a post-production stage before publishing. Hence, the designer should factor in the next step of production and Work
There is a way to design what is to be used online, different from what is printed on paper. Whether a book, magazine, or website, your design should bear the right medium in mind.
Again, when designing a book, you should leave the space between the two inner pages, known as the gutter. In eth book layout, align all objects to give room for cutting or trimming on all four sides of the paper.
9. Saving the wrong file format
Following the need to work with the right medium, a designer should also export the proper file format according to the client’s needs. The client may require different designs from the designer, based on the next stage of production.
Choose rater or vector format images, curve all texts to keep them in shape. And irrespective of the software in use, ensure you save the file format and resolution. Bear in mind also that the client may require the raw file as part of the delivery.
10. Inconsistency
Finally, a good designer must be consistent in his work. Consistency builds your brand and helps clients respect your work in a way that no one else can.
Remember also that consistency does not imply that you won’t have to improve your delivery quality. It only means that you cannot afford to disappoint your clients.
Also, maintain consistent communication with your clients to ensure you are on the same page. More so, the designer may also split up the project into batches and execute them in phases.
Conclusion
On a final note, I simply hope you can look carefully into these mistakes to avoid them in the New Year. Secondly, I hope you can get up your game and become the best version of yourself. Good luck, mate!