Graphic design is an art that combines aesthetics with functionality, where every element serves a purpose. However, like any other field, there are certain aspects that can irk even the most seasoned designers. A recent poll highlighted the most common pet peeves in the graphic design world, and the results are quite telling.
Poll Results: What Grinds a Designer’s Gears?
The poll, which garnered 696 votes, closed with some clear winners (or should we say losers?). The biggest offender? Bad kerning, taking a commanding lead with 43% of the votes. This was followed by Comic Sans, the font we love to hate, at 24%, and clipart at 23%. Trailing behind was Papyrus, with 10%.
Kerning Catastrophes
Kerning is the spacing between characters, and it’s a vital part of typography. When kerning is off, it can make text difficult to read and visually jarring. It’s no surprise that bad kerning tops the list. It can make an otherwise polished design look amateurish, and it’s a detail that can’t be ignored.
The Infamous Fonts
Comic Sans and Papyrus are often called out for their overuse and misuse. They’ve become synonymous with unprofessional designs, despite their intentions to be casual and accessible. Their presence in any design can elicit instant criticism from design purists.
Clipart Clashes
Clipart, once a staple of quick and easy graphic design, now symbolizes a lack of originality and effort. With the vast resources available to designers today, using generic clipart can make a design feel dated and uninspired.
Designers’ Quips and Quirks
The comments section under the poll provides a glimpse into the common grievances and humor that graphic designers share. Comments range from the classic client request to “make my logo bigger” to the frustrations of receiving artwork in Word format.
One designer emphasized the importance of understanding typography by sharing a technique for teaching beginners about kerning, tracking, and spacing in Photoshop. This hands-on approach highlights how critical these elements are in design.
Everyone Is a Designer?
A thought-provoking comment stated, “Everyone is a designer.” This sentiment reflects the democratization of design with the advent of easy-to-use software. However, it also underscores the frustration professionals feel when design principles are overlooked by non-designers.
In Conclusion
The poll may be lighthearted, but it sheds light on the shared standards and challenges within the graphic design community. Bad kerning, overused fonts, and clipart may seem like minor nuisances, but they represent larger issues of design integrity and professionalism.
As the field continues to evolve with new technologies and trends, one thing remains constant: the attention to detail and the passion for good design that unites all designers.
Let’s continue the conversation—what are your design pet peeves? Share your thoughts and let’s learn from each other’s experiences. After all, design is an ever-evolving conversation, and everyone has a say.
