DIY Design Disasters (and How to Avoid Them)
We get it—you're scrappy, resourceful, and not afraid to roll up your sleeves. You’ve built your business from the ground up, so how hard could designing a flyer or website be, right?
Well… let’s just say there’s a reason Photoshop has a learning curve and Comic Sans has a bad reputation.
Welcome to the wild world of DIY design disasters—where good intentions meet questionable kerning. Let’s take a lighthearted look at some common small business design missteps, and how a pro (hi, that’s me) can help you steer clear of them.
MISTAKE #1: The Font Frenzy
The problem: Using five different fonts in one design because “they all looked cool.”
The fix: Stick to 1–2 fonts that complement each other and reflect your brand’s personality. Think of fonts like outfits—just because you can wear polka dots, plaid, and sequins together doesn’t mean you should.
The fix: Stick to 1–2 fonts that complement each other and reflect your brand’s personality. Think of fonts like outfits—just because you can wear polka dots, plaid, and sequins together doesn’t mean you should.
MISTAKE #2: Color Chaos
The problem: Choosing colors based on your favorite sports team or your cousin’s opinion.
The fix: Color psychology is real. A pro designer will help you pick a palette that speaks to your audience, not just your personal taste. (Sorry, neon green.)
The fix: Color psychology is real. A pro designer will help you pick a palette that speaks to your audience, not just your personal taste. (Sorry, neon green.)
MISTAKE #3: Pixelated Everything
The problem: Using low-res images that look like they were downloaded in 1998.
The fix: High-quality visuals are non-negotiable. Blurry logos and stretched photos scream “unprofessional.” A designer ensures your assets are crisp, clean, and ready for any platform.
The fix: High-quality visuals are non-negotiable. Blurry logos and stretched photos scream “unprofessional.” A designer ensures your assets are crisp, clean, and ready for any platform.
MISTAKE #4: No Visual Hierarchy
The problem: Everything is bold, underlined, and screaming for attention.
The fix: Good design guides the eye. A pro knows how to structure content so your message flows naturally—and your audience actually reads it.
The fix: Good design guides the eye. A pro knows how to structure content so your message flows naturally—and your audience actually reads it.
MISTAKE #5: Inconsistent Branding
The problem: Your business card, website, and social media all look like they belong to different companies.
The fix: Consistency builds trust. A designer creates a cohesive visual identity that keeps your brand looking sharp across every touchpoint.
The fix: Consistency builds trust. A designer creates a cohesive visual identity that keeps your brand looking sharp across every touchpoint.
The Bottom Line
DIY is great for home improvement shows and banana bread. But when it comes to your brand’s visual identity, cutting corners can cost you credibility. The good news? You don’t have to do it alone.
A professional designer doesn’t just make things look pretty—they make them work. They translate your vision into visuals that connect, convert, and leave a lasting impression.
So if you’ve been winging it with Canva and clip art, no judgment. But maybe it’s time to call in some creative backup.
