My 7 Biggest Design Icks (And What to Do Instead)

Let’s be real. We all have our little “icks” in life.

Some people get the ick when someone claps when the plane lands.

Me? I get it when I see Papyrus being used unironically on a business card.

So today, in the spirit of equal parts education and entertainment, I’m serving up:

✨ My 7 Biggest Design Icks. ✨

These are the habits, shortcuts, and innocent mistakes that instantly downgrade a brand’s vibe—often without the business owner even realising it.

Some of them are serious (like, "this is hurting your credibility" serious).

Some are petty (I’m self-aware).

But all of them are worth looking at if you care about building a bold, scroll-stopping, and profitable brand.

Let’s dive in.

1. Papyrus or Brush Script Fonts

It’s giving… year 10 English project.

Look, there are thousands of stunning fonts available these days. There's just no excuse to still be reaching for the fonts that scream “early 2000s.”

Papyrus is not mystical. Brush Script is not chic. They both need to retire.

What to do instead:

Invest in a couple of high-quality fonts that reflect your brand personality. Choose typefaces that are legible, on-brand, and unique—but not trendy for the sake of it.

2. Stretched Logos to “Make It Fit”

Your logo shouldn’t look like it’s wearing shapewear.

Stretching your logo horizontally or vertically ruins the proportions and instantly makes your brand look unpolished. It’s one of the quickest ways to make your audience lose trust—subconsciously or not.

What to do instead:

Always resize your logo proportionally. Lock the aspect ratio in Canva or Illustrator, and if it really doesn’t fit the space? Use a secondary logo or submark that was designed for that purpose.

3. Unnecessary Shadow or Glow Effects

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

Adding a drop shadow or glow effect to make your text “pop” often does the opposite—it makes it look like it’s trying too hard. Unless you know what you’re doing, these effects can make your design look dated or clunky.

What to do instead:

Use contrast—light on dark, dark on light—or layering to create impact. And if you must use effects, do it sparingly and with purpose.

4. Too Many Fonts in One Design

This isn’t a font tasting platter.

Using five different fonts in a single graphic doesn’t say “creative,” it says “chaos.” When every font is shouting, your audience doesn’t know where to look—and they’ll scroll past instead of engaging.

What to do instead:

Stick to 2–3 fonts: one for headings, one for subheadings, one for body copy. Assign them roles and keep it consistent. Typography structure = brand clarity.

5. Quote Graphics with Mixed-Up Alignment

Text centred, then left, then right, then… chaos.

Look, I love a juicy quote graphic as much as the next designer. But when the alignment is all over the place, it looks messy and hard to read. You’re not writing a ransom note.

What to do instead:

Pick an alignment (centre, left, right) and stick with it throughout the graphic. Use intentional spacing and whitespace to guide the reader's eye—not confuse it.

6. “Minimal” Brands That Are Actually Just Empty

Minimal doesn’t mean lazy.

There’s a big difference between a clean, intentional minimalist brand and one that just looks like you gave up halfway through. Blank space isn’t enough—you still need personality, purpose, and energy.

What to do instead:

Use minimalism strategically: clean lines, clear hierarchy, and bold choices in the right places. Minimal doesn’t mean boring—it means refined.

7. No Visual Hierarchy

If your audience has to work to figure out where to look first? They won’t.

A lack of hierarchy is one of the most common—and most damaging—design icks. It creates confusion, weakens your message, and makes your content forgettable.

What to do instead:

Use size, colour, spacing, and weight to guide the eye. Your headline should pop. Your CTA should stand out. Your copy should flow in a logical order. Think of your layout like a guided tour, not a maze.

Why This All Matters

You might be thinking, “Okay, so I’ve committed a few of these icks… is it really that deep?”

Short answer?

Yes.

Because while none of these are make-or-break alone, together they form the impression of your brand—and impressions matter. Especially online.

People decide in seconds whether they trust you, whether they like you, and whether they want to keep scrolling or click that follow/book/buy button.

The details? They’re the difference between a brand that’s “fine” and a brand that’s freakin’ unforgettable.

Final Thoughts

If you spotted any of your own habits in this list—no judgment. This isn’t about shame. It’s about awareness.

Once you know better?

You can brand better.

And if you’re ready to ditch the DIY drama and upgrade your brand visuals the right way—with strategy, personality, and zero design icks?

📩 Book your discovery call here

🎨 Explore my services right this way

Let’s turn your “eh” into “holy sh*t, who did your branding?”

Burn the beige,