The WORST Graphic Design MISTAKES 🚨

[@willpatersondesign]

Hope you guys enjoyed the video! Let me know some other mistakes you see everyday in graphic design down below :)

[@Jeffasaurases]

I’m a graphic design and decided to do a digital marketing Lvl 3 apprenticeship for the qualification so if I manage to create a design studio I can do that side too. But on this course, they have some content creation (social media posts, ect). And the amount of widows drive me insane. I’m loving the apprenticeship but even the tutors leave them in their designs, you can either just reword the copy or modify the tracking ever so slightly in the last paragraph. I don’t actually know other ways to avoid this (besides changing the text box size which creates imbalance in the design), if you have any advice on how to ensure you don’t get widows in your work, I’d like to know as the more knowledge the better. And I’m doing an apprenticeship which is a lower level qualification then my graphic design qualification as this dives into more detail about how clients think and that’s really interesting. Google digital garage do a free online course where you even get a certificate if you are interested in digital marketing or graphic design. It’s all stuff for the CV. Hope this helps anyone.

[@fredericoneto1984]

I was hoping for a comment on google's logo

[@Zfert]

1:15 has to be ironic, that designer clearly knows the rules of design because they have broken all of them

[@CstandsforAwesome]

Exactly... bad example

[@undergroundo]

The "SALE!!" flyer with the thousands fonts is actually an EXCELLENT design, because the message you get from this monstrosity is: CHEAP. If it looked like tha Apple website it would not attract their target market.

[@arunashamal]

That is what I thought too. that was a great design. infact many modern, e-graphic designers will struggle to do something like that. Only the great designers can do a proper lowbrow design like that..

[@fristalgia]

Everything’s wrong with the first design but somehow i find it pretty cool. I do feel like though it’s been made on purpose to look bad but it’s actually clever haha It kinda looks like those new wave designs you can see everywhere

[@musicartguy1]

The Monkelyclan design is amazing! Completely tongue in cheek.

[@alexvl7825]

In my opinion the biggest mistake of all in graphic design is thinking that there are actually rules and mistakes. Yes that kind of video is a good way to make "clean and functional designs" but graphic design is not made to always be so perfect. Following all the "RULES" and avoiding all the "MISTAKES" tend to create designs with no personality whatsoever. It's generic and pretty sad. I actually find that in all its chaos the first example is a very good design. It emulates some kind of really bad taste but in a fun and cool way that gives so much personality... by the way the message is still really understandable because "SALE" is so big. In an all another level the work of MinaLima the graphic designers of the Harry Potter cinematic universe tend to be so chaotic but so beautiful at the same time and they use A LOT of fonts in every design. A good design is a design that achieve its goal, and that goal is not always to be clearly identified on an app icon.

[@thtasca]

Man... English isn't my first language, so is hard to put on words what I was thinking watching the video, but that it is what I wanted to comment, thanks!

[@crwlh6721]

Completely agree! I'd like to see his "improvement" of that first one. I also found the example of the "Kroe" one to be unbalanced. There was too much weight on the bottom. The grid shows how much it's off. But you're right: "A good design ... achieves its goal" and the first one def did that! Great comment.

[@Jeffasaurases]

But the first one looks bad though. If they reduced a bunch of the typefaces to just 1 or two (a serif and a sans serif would work in this case) it would make it have a bit more consistency. Design is to get a message across yes. But it should fit with a brand and the brand guidelines. With limitations, creativity can thrive as you can figure out when to get rid of some rules (such as legibility) and how you can manipulate the rules to create some amazing design. If u look at Tallon Type, this is not really legible but he is seen as a very good designer as he knows the rules and therefore can break them. It’s like abstract portrait artist, they can draw people in photo realism but since they have learned how to draw so well, they make their work exciting by breaking some rules. My point is, if you know the rules and start of by following them, you can then experiment and maybe create something nobody has every thought off. But rules are there for a reason, it’s just knowing which ones to break and when. And if you are looking for a job, you’ll have to explain why you broke such rules. Such as I made a birthday card which type was in comic sans. Ooooooh nooooo. But I only invited my graphic designer friends to a small gathering so they saw they humour in the irony that I used a typeface that should never have even existed (it got leaked btw, it’s from a app that wasn’t even released). Hope you guys don’t mind that I rambled, I’m really passionate about my job and I think any insight is good. And I do agree with your points. I just think that first design was looked as if it was done by an infant.

[@carlosenki2655]

@@thtasca Conheço um Brasileiro de longe kkkk; Não sei se você é novo aqui, mas o Will Paterson tem um conteúdo >Legal< para iniciantes, não digo >bom< justamente pelo comentário do Alex, o Will só ensina coisas neutras, aonde não tem como errar, ele me ajudou quando eu comecei, mas agora eu acompanho só pra ver se ele finalmente mudou, infelizmente não. Aqui no Brasil temos o Pedro Panetto, possuí seus meritos e tal, mas influencia demais aquela comunidade mesquinha de "Meu filho faria algo melhor", "Isso ai eu faço no Paint", o problema é que ainda é arrogante... coisa que o Will não é. Vejo os dois como forma de entretenimento, sempre deixando meu dislike para que novos estudantes de Design possam se questionar sobre o conteúdo que consomem.

[@batmanh8899]

@@crwlh6721 the Sale one?

[@domsiomusic2248]

I am not even into graphic design, drawing, sketching or anything art related at all. I just find your videos entertaining and I watch them for fun. Kwep it up!

[@TedMattos]

Not gonna lie. Will's accent alone has me sticking here. If that accent says I'm making mistakes, then I'm making mistakes! ;)

[@federicoviola42]

hahaha

[@mariullom8481]

His accent is SO GOOD.

[@FattyJubbo]

Lane Price! Jared Harris!

[@Salamaleikum80]

disagree first design looked good for what it was supposed to do: convey that its cheap. Imagine it beeing minimalistic and clean like apple wouldnt make any sense.

[@hirnfaser7245]

You make it sound like symmetry is the solution to all, every design needs to be symmetric. I believe this is wrong. In order to create more tension or make things more interesting, you often have to break symmetry. Golden ratio for example, the ”allmighty ratio“ for balance, is 33/67. Symmetric shapes and layouts are often extremely simple, but not always the right choice. Take a look at the Nike logo, it’s balanced but asymmetric. In UI design, it is often impossible to make things symmetric. Even the examples you showed from your profile are asymmetric. This was even one of the first lessons I learnt in my first typography course in uni. My professor told me that having an uneven number of coloumns can make the layout much more interesting.

[@arunashamal]

true, symmetry is a tell tale sign of amateur designers. Asymmetrical is perfectly fine, as long as the overall logo is BALANCED.

[@penelopepegg7834]

Ive been thinking about this kind of stuff. The first design shown has a lot of issues when it comes to easy communication, however like someone else has said, it still feels like they have worked around the fundamentals of design, except, in a way that calls people visually. I have been seeing this kind of over crowded, colourful design pieces and I believe they work really well depending on your audience. 4:01 I personally hate design that looks like the right, despite the communication being perfect. But I enjoy Apple. I suppose what I am getting at is subjectivity, and purpose. Sometimes finding a space between the two. Going on a bit I suppose

[@vampirezio6996]

When I watch these videos, I like to pretend I am a villain that slowly absorbs my targets knowledge and powers over time, and before they know it I have all of their abilities and knowledge. But, great videos - I feel like I can learn a lot in a short amount of time, that is an indication of quality over substance.

[@willpatersondesign]

:)

[@orangeujealous6684]

Mistakes and Correction: Too busy - Less is more. Unbalanced - Use a grid for symmetry. Inconsistent use of space - Use negative space consistently and remember to zoom out. Lack of Kerning - Correct the kerning for legibility.

[@diogoribeiro477]

At 7:05 I don't think the problem is the lack of negative space but the difference in line thickness, which is unpleasant to look at.

[@CstandsforAwesome]

I’m sorry but that first one is OBVIOUSLY intentional... it’s supposed to be satirizing bad designed. It’s executed perfectly with hilarious copy as well

[@IONI_NOV]

bro you are so helpful literally building my future

[@freelance-games]

@4:38 ... "Now, the humans are drawn to balance." Did you just let slip that our robot overlords watch this and learn how to better infiltrate through lush design? 🤣

[@thekuan7002]

Great now I can't stop thinking of this! Thanks pal 🤣

[@EsotericManaCookie]

As always, helpful and charismatically delivered quality content. Thank you Will.

[@zer0tonin_]

in defense of the first design, sometimes is the client's fault that something end up looking busy and ugly. if you don't do that they're asking to they will throw a tantrum and put a bad word for you... so... yeah... they just don't listen...

[@adnanmughal4364]

Love your content brother!

[@S_ei_S]

Google's logotype is a masterpiece in my opinion.

[@chrishaugh1655]

Is though? Is it really?

[@S_ei_S]

@@chrishaugh1655 the font and type face is perfectly appealing and eye catching.

[@DeathTT87]

It is, it's obviously not a perfect shape one purpose because it looks way better like this

[@sairay9240]

Just wanted to point out that the thumbnail is semi-clickbaity. Google made their logo not a perfect circle on purpose, "optically refined [it] to prevent a visual overbite at the point where the circular form meets the crossbar"

[@durenatu]

IMO this whole video is clickbaity, it started comparing something that was bad on purpose to apple... that's a hell of a stretch.

[@Logalactic]

He did an entire video on the Google logo when it was first redesigned.

[@willardYT]

Hey Will! I love your work and appreciate all your videos. If you could make a video about presentations for graphic designers, and how to be efficient with your time while making them that would be super helpful. I find myself spending way more time on my presentations than I need to, and I assume you have lots of ideas and strategies on the matter. Anyways, thanks for the content and have a good week!

[@Anon101sss]

Very good video Will

[@CharHReviews]

Hi Will, Was expecting something about the Google G. Why was that in the thumbnail?? :)

[@EdGeLV]

I can't find the mentioned videos in description??

[@jaywalker.]

Is there somewhere I can go to learn more about kerning? I always see designers commenting that on layouts that "the kerning is obviously off," and I rarely can see anything wrong with it. It's almost a meme in my mind. LOL. A straight-to-the-point resource would be awesome, thanks.

[@fidaarestom3095]

We missed you man ..thanx for the great content

[@willpatersondesign]

Thanks for the support!

[@rosaline5159]

thank you for advice

[@1WillyDAVID]

Pretty cool Will, thanks for sharing!

[@raouf-ad]

I knew it was a good notification 💯

[@arunashamal]

The biggest mistake designers do is ignoring the target market and stuffing your own bs in there. Which you are guilty of.. That SALE design is Amazing design, perfect for the market. If you did an apple like design for that Sale flyer and that target market, you'll be kicked out of any agency. As a graphic designer you must be open minded and flexible, that mean doing excellent low brow designs too.

[@martinvivian9772]

Was expecting something about the Google G. Why was that in the thumbnail??

[@Soulbishop]

Didn't find a link to that grid vid.

[@volkerseu3566]

Great Video! Where can I find the „learn to kearn game“ online??

[@ramoses1]

Couldn't find the Grid video que was talking about :/

[@redaspect836]

There’s balance in nature itself which is divine!

[@lordbuschey3114]

Not me trying to be mean because I really liked the video, but isn’t the thumbnail a bit misleading? I mean you never mentioned the Google Logo at all… I was curious if you would hate on it or say that it was (obviously) intentionally designed „off“

[@djsaifeebeats]

There is no rules to make a good design, if the piece sells its a good design. 👍

[@lorenzovagionakis2479]

Awesome as always! Greetings from Italy :)

[@syedhussainalishah1104]

You're doing great work 👍

[@OhMyGodbold]

Did you describe what's wrong with the Google logo in the thumbnail?

[@ESkengman]

BTW, your Proclean logo is not balanced. Ladt bottom right element extends beyond the baseline.

[@emerys9539]

Apple Keyboard and an MX Master 3. We have the same setup!

[@asaroishi6644]

Hello sir. Recently I am amazed by windows 11 wallpapers. Can you show us how to creat them in Photoshop??

[@billionairerecordshessen4468]

1. Rule, there are no rules...editing types are like time, they are always changing...

[@8DVIBEZ]

How is my logo 👉👈 It's made in mobile

[@awsome03]

I just wanna know, how many logos do you present to your clients?

[@Svenburchard]

You need to go away from balance. Disrupt balance to make a much more interesting composition

[@cevor_]

can i see the logo you design for the big company plz

[@ChaossX77]

Was there an issue with the Google logo in the thumbnail? I know it's not perfectly round but that's by design so wasn't sure.

[@raspberieproductions444]

Don’t be Google, noted

[@willpatersondesign]

😂

[@ArisePeter]

That Google logo shown in thumbnail was just for attracting? Anyway nice videos

[@LockedInNOW]

I love these videos and your cute accent makes it 100% Better Lmao !

[@lllillliiiiiiillliill7974]

You always talk about your reddit, but there ain't no link in ur description.

[@zer0tonin_]

so.... in summary, good design is about BALANCE.

[@tsguy-h3q]

Critique you're sponsors' logos.

[@_loss_]

I like the Monkeyclan aesthetic

[@ryanmish4961]

Oh my god he sounds just like the guy from Foundation

[@oussamatamen8089]

I'm a simple man, I see Will's videos I instantly like 😩☝️

[@laureanoalfaro9351]

More than too many fonts, the problem might be what message you try to convey with the use of many fonts. Some designs work really great with lots of elements...BTW Carson dislikes this video

[@mihaiivanov1213]

Freddie Dead so smart...

[@rkirk182]

"The Reddit"

[@naomipaterson9300]

😹😹😹

[@willpatersondesign]

😇

[@Samutrains]

Nice Vid

[@tiagosilva3146]

Ou seja, nos trabalhos dele está tudo bem. No dos outros está uma merda.

[@InDisskyS131]

I’ve noticed a trend with your videos. You mention another video, say you will link to it below in the description but never actually put the link there. Maybe your editor needs a talking to.

[@willpatersondesign]

Can you please comment the time where I was talking about what you're looking for? My editor isn't responsible for putting links to things I talk about in videos, that's down to me but I'm not perfect so sometimes I forget as there's usually 2+ weeks between filming and a video going live so sometimes I do forget!

[@InDisskyS131]

@@willpatersondesign No worries Will. Yeah, I’ll re watch this and let you know. Sometimes you will mention something and say you will link to another video you made about the subject but forget to post the link. It’s completely understandable though. Really enjoy your videos and everything I’m learning from watching them. Thanks for all you do.

[@willpatersondesign]

@@InDisskyS131

[@markuslang6215]

I do not like the Kerning of N o rd V P N

[@willpatersondesign]

😂

[@00aagam]

Hey i m beginner in graphic design can you help me i need some guidance

[@durenatu]

Getting something that was done bad on purpose and comparing to apple surely doesn't convey very much on "mistakes you should avoid"

[@hsnnoznn]

I don't know why, but in your last few videos, I feel like you've been forcibly filmed and trying to stretch the content so it looks full. It's obvious that the last few videos are lacking in energy. It feels like you're only shooting because you're sponsored and you have to make a video. You're still beautiful, but this part worries me.

[@willpatersondesign]

Haha. I don’t think I’ve been different. It’s no secret that it’s my job - but I enjoy doing it. This video I really enjoyed making :)

[@hsnnoznn]

@@willpatersondesign Yes your videos are enjoying. But like i said, i have different vibes for your last videos. But at the end of the day, we are human and our every day is not same. You are different from most of other KZbin Content Creators.

[@andrewhersh4040]

I know where the description is. Stop telling me where the description is.

[@willpatersondesign]

It's down below :)

[@naomipaterson9300]

@@willpatersondesign 😹😹😹

[@falks8032]

Pretty sure the first one is totally intentional. It’s supposed to be whacky and kind of a parody on typical trashy old yard sale flyers. I think it’s charming and fits the purpose here for the brand and its style.

[@JS_71]

no

[@pataki2666]

🐝 🦵

[@pauleslage1421]

Unfortunately in a lot of your videos the definition of kerning isn’t quite accurate. You don’t usually kern between n and o for example, because the space between those letters is defined in the spacing, not kerning. If you feel you need to kern between two straight glyphs, two round glyphs or between a straight and a round glyph, that is actually a sign of bad spacing and probably also the sign of a poorly designed typeface as well. To successfully adjust the space between letters, I think it is important not to mix up spacing and kerning.

[@willpatersondesign]

Yeah, if we go into the technical side it’s LSB AND RSB. But if you’re not a type designer and have to still edit these values it’s definitely defined as kerning (the action of doing so) and not changing the SB which is a global action.