10 design mistakes that will bust your budget (2024)

By Creative Bloq Staff

published

We identify 10 common design pitfalls and explain how to avoid them before it costs you a packet.

Not all projects are smooth sailing. Sometimes things go wrong, clients aren't happy and the time and resources you originally planned to spend on the project expands exponentially. Your expected profit becomes dramatically scaled down and you may even end up making a loss...

Head some of the major problems off at the start by recognising these 10 common design project pitfalls and sidestepping them before they come back to bite you on your creative ass...

01. You said 'yes' but should have said 'no'

10 design mistakes that will bust your budget (1)

We've all done it. The lure of a big job can make you accept a commission without really thinking it through. Especially if you don't have any other work on. But ask yourself: are you really right for the job? Does it excite you? Sometimes it's better to say 'no' to avoid problems further down the line.

02. You didn't get anything in writing

Whether we like it or not, sometimes things go wrong. Let's call it 'creative differences' and leave it at that. Whenever you take on a new job, make sure that you get the specifics down in writing and make the client aware of how you work and what you charge for. Putting together some business terms and conditions is never a waste of your time.

03. You've got stuck in 'design creep'

"Hey, can we just add this?" On those jobs where the brief you start with isn't the brief you're looking at now, find the decision makers, get them involved and motivated, and persuade them to sign off as soon as possible. Don't do endless iterations trying to keep everyone happy.

04. You're not around to fix anything

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Don't walk out and forget the project on live day +1. Agree some performance metrics with the client, and measure them. If the project isn't performing, take action instantly. Build this into your budget.

05. Your design is high concept, not high impact

It's great that your design has swirly curls and uses that rounded new font that everyone in the studio loves. But if it doesn't change the behaviour of the target audience, you have failed the client - even if the client loves it too.

06. You forgot you'll be judged on design

Nebulous ideas like 'brand awareness' and 'eyeballs' can be useless in practice. No one cares whether or not the public can recognise a logo if they hate the brand and everything it stands for, and would rather buy from a competitor. Pick practical, useful metrics like sales, profits and cash raised.

07. You didn't agree a budget

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Find out up front what a client expects to spend, and give them something that fits the budget. If the client hasn't thought about the budget, they haven't thought about the project.

08. Your bluff came back to bite you

If you don’t instantly know the answer to a problem, especially when dealing with a client, it's tempting to excude an air of confidence and respond "sure" or "no problem" as a first response, thinking you'll think of something later. But if you don't, it can cause a lot of stress and backtracking further down the line.

People are generally much more receptive to honestly than BS. So say: "To be honest, I'm not sure how we'll resolve this. Let's have a think and meet up tomorrow to discuss it." Don't see this as eroding your authority. By being upfront, you're actually enhancing it.

09. You took on too much work

No one wants to turn down a job. But just because you once managed to get through three projects at once, don't assume you'll always be able to. Be realistic, and build some breathing space into your schedule for when things go wrong.

10. You didn't stick up for yourself

If you're the sort of person you seeks out the path of least resistance, then get out of the design industry now. While there's no need to be rude or arrogant, if you let the client's prejudices ("I don't like that blue, let's made it red") dictate every little detail of the project then you're failing in your duty to spell out and stick to your design vision. Ultimately, you'll be judged on the end result of a project - not how agreeable you are during it. So keep that in mind throughout the process and you shouldn't go far wrong.

What design mistakes have you made that you wish you could go back in time and change? Let us know in the comments below, and also read the biggest mistakes designers make.

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The Creative Bloq team is made up of a group of design fans, and has changed and evolved since Creative Bloq began back in 2012. The current website team consists of eight full-time members of staff: Editor Georgia Coggan, Deputy Editor Rosie Hilder, Ecommerce Editor Beren Neale, Senior News Editor Daniel Piper, Editor, Digital Art and 3D Ian Dean, Tech Reviews Editor Erlingur Einarsson and Ecommerce Writer Beth Nicholls and Staff Writer Natalie Fear, as well as a roster of freelancers from around the world. The 3D World and ImagineFX magazine teams also pitch in, ensuring that content from 3D World and ImagineFX is represented on Creative Bloq.

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10 design mistakes that will bust your budget (2024)

FAQs

What is the common mistake in furniture design? ›

One of the most common mistakes when designing furniture for a commercial interior is choosing the wrong scale. Furniture that is too large or too small can make the space look cramped, cluttered, or disproportionate.

Who pays for design mistakes? ›

Depending on the contract type and terms, the design responsibility and liability can be shared by the owner, the designer, the contractor, or the subcontractors. For example, if the owner provides the design, they may be liable for errors and omissions.

What are the types of error in design? ›

Being a designer, he states that there are two types of errors: Slip and Mistake. Action slips are relatively easy to discover whereas, mistakes are much more difficult.

Can you sue a company for stealing your design? ›

If the work is clearly plagiarized and they are using it to their advantage, it is highly recommended you pursue legal action for art theft. Your next step should be to contact an intellectual property attorney who can help guide you through all the legal processes.

How much of a budget should be design fee? ›

We typically start closer to the higher end of this range. The design fee is not included in the above pricing. A good rule of thumb for the design fee is to set aside 10% for the design fee. A design fee of $10,000 - $26,000 is a very realistic start and is not included in the budgets above.

Why do interior designers get sued? ›

When a mistake affects your client's finances, your interior design firm can get sued for professional negligence. Some examples include: Using materials for a job that were not agreed upon ahead of time. Making a mistake in measuring materials, causing delays that keep your client from doing business.

What is the biggest mistake in placement of furniture? ›

Too much furniture

One of the biggest and worst furniture arranging mistakes is to have too much of it in the first place. Your home is not a museum or a waiting room. It should be designed specifically for your comfort and ease. And too much stuff just gets in the way.

What is the most common error in furniture placement? ›

“One mistake people typically make is pushing all their furniture up against the wall. In small spaces where that's your only option, that makes sense. But when it comes to spaces that are a little bit larger, it's always best to leave a little bit of a space between the wall and the back of your sofa,” says Abernathy.

What constitutes bad design? ›

GOOD DESIGN is visually pleasing and creates a sense of harmony and balance. It uses color, typography, and composition effectively to create a cohesive look. BAD DESIGN is often visually cluttered and unbalanced, making it difficult for the viewer to focus on the important information.

What is unethical in interior design? ›

Theft of intellectual property, business plan, design or commercial idea is unethical. Misconduct jeopardises the future prosperity of members and the Society.

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