6 Type Mistakes to Avoid When Designing Content for Your Brand

Typography is one of the most powerful tools in your design arsenal. It communicates tone, grabs attention, and helps convey your message clearly (or... not so clearly). But here’s the kicker: even the best fonts can flop if they're not used thoughtfully.

Whether you're creating social graphics, website banners, or brochures, avoiding these six common type mistakes can make or break your brand's visuals. Let’s dive in.

Pairing Fonts That Are Too Decorative

Fonts with serifs, flourishes, or other ornamental elements can add personality, but when you pair two highly decorative fonts, things can get messy—fast. It’s like wearing a statement necklace and oversized earrings at the same time.

The Fix:
If you’re using a decorative font for your headings, balance it out with a clean sans-serif font for your subheadings and body text. Contrast is your friend here.

Using Too Many Typefaces in One Design

Sure, we all love a little variety, but throwing five or six fonts into one design? That’s a recipe for chaos. Your audience won’t know where to focus, and your message might get lost in the noise.

The Fix:
Stick to 2-3 fonts max in a single design. One for headlines, one for body text, and maybe one for an accent or callout. Simple, clean, effective.

No Visual Hierarchy

Ever landed on a design where everything looks the same size and weight? You probably didn’t stick around long. Without clear visual hierarchy, your reader has no idea where to start—or what’s important.

The Fix:
Use headings, subheadings, and body text strategically. Headlines should stand out—make them bigger, bolder, or even a different color. Subheadings can add structure, while body text should be smaller and easier on the eyes.

Forgetting About Legibility

What’s the point of designing gorgeous content if no one can read it? Placing text over a busy photo or using low-contrast colors can quickly turn your message into a guessing game.

The Fix:
Always prioritize legibility:

• Avoid overlaying text on intricate or busy images.

• Use high contrast between text and background colors.

• Know your audience—smaller text might alienate readers with vision challenges.

Overloading with Text

You’ve got so much to say, but your social media graphic isn’t the place to write a novel. Large blocks of text can overwhelm viewers and lead to a quick scroll past your content.

The Fix:
Tailor your text to the platform. Social media graphics? Keep it short and punchy. Save the longer, detailed explanations for captions, blog posts, or flyers.

Ignoring White Space

Negative space (a.k.a. white space) is like the deep breath your design needs. Without it, your layout feels cramped and cluttered, making it harder for your audience to focus on your message.

The Fix:
Don’t be afraid of blank areas. Let your text “breathe” by leaving room around headlines, paragraphs, and graphics. This helps separate sections and gives your design a clean, professional feel.

Rules Were Meant to Be… Bent?

Now, don’t get me wrong—there are exceptions to every rule. Sometimes breaking these guidelines can lead to bold, creative designs that grab attention. But knowing when to intentionally break the rules? That’s the difference between a design pro and a design disaster.

What’s Your Take?
Do you follow these typography principles religiously, or do you like to push boundaries? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear about your design approach.