Reducing visual noise

Greetings!

In this context, I would like to delve more into graphic design, which is an increasingly essential aspect of modern life. I'm excited to finally have an opportunity to address some of the poor designs I encounter, as many people seem to overlook the obvious flaws in them.

Occasionally, I take a walk through the backroad of my street to a filling station on the main road to buy fuel. Just near the station, there's a large boutique that has recently undergone renovations. It now features a new signboard—a large flex banner mounted on two poles. Unfortunately, the design on this banner is riddled with unlicensed images, with the watermark "Shutterstock" boldly visible on them. The overall appearance is both scattered and congested because the designer added far too many outfit images....with those watermarks crying to be removed.

The first time I saw it, I immediately thought, "What kind of graphic designer would create such work?" This question popped out because of my strong stance against copyright infringement. Seeing that signboard made me feel so irritated that I jokingly considered finding a way to report the designer. Lol

While the text design on the signboard is somewhat decent, the blatant use of watermarked "Shutterstock" ruins the entire piece. Each time my eyes catch a glimpse of the board, I can't help but feel the urge to criticize the designer.

The truth is, no matter how skilled this designer might claim to be, failing to understand the basics of design—especially the use of licensed assets—makes them appear unprofessional. This experience highlights a common issue with poorly executed designs: they offend the eye and fail to deliver a good impression.

I'm not a professional designer myself, but through regular practice, I've gained enough knowledge of the basics to avoid creating such visual noise. Here are some points I've learned:

1. Never Use Unlicensed Photos with Visible Watermarks

This is perhaps the most critical mistake in design. Watermarked photos are often free to use for preview purposes, but the watermark indicates the need for proper licensing. A subscription to the image provider's premium account is necessary to access watermarked images legally. Failing to address this not only looks unprofessional but also infringes on copyright laws.

1. Font Selection and Combination

Many designers, in their quest to be creative, often go off track when choosing fonts. Fonts should be selected based on their purpose and readability. For example:

Fonts like the one used in the "Minimalist" example above are better suited for less prominent elements, such as signature-style text or minor captions.

Combining multiple fonts in one design can lead to visual clutter if not done carefully. Improper font pairings may result in text elements competing for attention, straining the viewer's eyes and discouraging further engagement.

1. Selecting Appropriate Backgrounds

Background selection is another area where designers frequently go wrong. While one might have a good sense of color, choosing the right background requires more thought.

A sharp and overly vibrant background can create a clashing effect, making the design hard to look at. In such cases, even the best font or text color choices will fail to counteract the visual discomfort.

To fix this, reduce the intensity of the background. This can be achieved by darkening it slightly or choosing more subdued tones that complement the design without overwhelming it.

Thanks for reading.

This is my response to #Kiss

Photos are mine. The screenshots are my work on Canva app.