Think graphic design is all about choosing pretty colors and moving shapes around? Think again! The life of a graphic designer has a few unexpected plot twists, from the true meaning of "creativity" to the science (or lack thereof) behind font choices. Let’s bust some of the most ridiculous graphic design myths—one painfully accurate example at a time.
Myth #1: “Graphic Design is Just Making Things Look Pretty.”
Busted: Imagine hiring a chef and saying, "Just make it look tasty." They serve you a cardboard box garnished with parsley. Graphic design isn’t about “looking pretty”; it’s about function. It’s about sending a message, solving a problem, and creating a connection. You wouldn’t serve cardboard for dinner (or at least I hope not), and we don’t create pretty images just for decoration.
Myth #2: “There’s a Secret Font for Every Mood.”
Busted: People often believe that fonts have magical powers—like some kind of typographic astrology. “Use Comic Sans, and your brand will be approachable.” Sure, if by "approachable" you mean "approach with caution." There isn’t a hidden font treasure map, no secret cache of mood-setting typography. Fonts do convey tones, but it’s the context that makes the magic, not some mystical “fun font energy.”
Myth #3: “All Designers Have a Magic Color Sense.”
Busted: You might think every designer is born with an infallible sense of color—like we can spot clashing hues from a mile away. Nope! Real talk: designers get it wrong sometimes, too. We’re not human Pantone machines. We pick colors based on strategy, testing, and experience, not a mysterious color oracle buried in the Adobe suite. Sure, we get attached to teal now and then, but we’re human.
Myth #4: “Design Takes Minutes—Just Click a Few Buttons!”
Busted: Imagine if plumbers showed up, pressed a button, and every leak magically stopped. Dream on. Real design work involves brainstorming, research, and endless revisions. It takes thought, skill, and time. Every pixel is placed with purpose (even if the purpose is “I stayed up till 2 AM, so I have no idea why this is here”).
Myth #5: “Good Design is Obvious—Everyone Knows What Works.”
Busted: If that were true, every website would look like a billion-dollar brand. But design isn’t one-size-fits-all. What works for one audience might look confusing or out of touch to another. Think of design like dancing: it looks effortless to people watching, but behind the scenes? It’s all practice, planning, and the occasional tripping over ourselves.
Wrapping It Up
Graphic design is about solving puzzles and communicating ideas, not just picking fonts and colors. So next time you see a design, remember: there’s way more happening behind the scenes than a few “pretty” pixels. Found these tips helpful? If these made you chuckle, consider reposting! And please leave a like or comment—I’d love to know your thoughts on this.
THE DESIGN PORTFOLIO OF JARED HERTZKE