Whether you're brand new to designing or you've been crafting for years, there are a few timeless design rules that make every project look polished and professional. These aren’t meant to box you in — they’re here to help you build confidence, avoid frustration, and understand why certain choices work better than others.
Here are some of the most helpful guidelines to keep in your creative toolkit:
1. Limit Your Fonts (Seriously!)
Too many fonts can make a design feel chaotic instead of intentional.
The golden rule:
- Use 1–2 fonts per design
- Three only if you REALLY know what you're doing (and they must have clear roles)
A simple formula:
- Font 1: Your main headline
- Font 2: A supporting font (subtext, accents, small details)
Pair opposites for balance:
- Bold + script
- Serif + sans serif
- Chunky + thin
2. Establish a Clear Visual Hierarchy
Your viewer should know where to look first.
Use:
- Size
- Weight
- Color
- Spacing
…to guide the eye.
If everything is loud, nothing stands out.
3. Embrace White Space
White space isn’t “empty” — it’s breathing room.
It makes your design feel clean, modern, and intentional.
If your design feels cluttered, remove something.
If it still feels cluttered, remove something else.
4. Stick to a Simple Color Palette
A good rule of thumb:
- 1–2 main colors
- 1 accent color
- Neutrals as needed
If you’re unsure, use a pre‑made palette or pull colors from a photo.
5. Keep Your Elements Consistent
Consistency builds trust and visual harmony.
Check for:
- Matching line weights
- Matching illustration styles
- Matching corner radius (round vs sharp)
- Matching shadow styles
- Matching icon styles
If one element feels “off,” it probably is.
6. Align, Align, Align
Alignment is the secret sauce of professional design.
Use:
- Center alignment for simple, symmetrical designs
- Left alignment for text‑heavy layouts
- Grid lines and snapping tools to keep everything tidy
Misalignment is one of the fastest ways to make a design look amateur.
7. Zoom Out AND Zoom In
- Zoom out to check balance and hierarchy
- Zoom in to catch spacing issues, jagged edges, and tiny misalignments
Both views matter.
8. Design With Purpose
Before you start, ask:
“What is the goal of this design?”
Every element should support that goal.
If it doesn’t — delete it.
9. Keep Text Short and Impactful
Short phrases hit harder and read better on small items like pouches, shirts, and stickers.
If you need more words, break them into sections or use hierarchy to guide the eye.
10. Don’t Be Afraid to Break the Rules
Once you understand the rules, you’ll know when and why to break them.
But beginners thrive with structure — and these guidelines are a great place to start.
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