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DESIGN Really Bad Advice
49

Really Bad design advice

Aug 11, 2014

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SEO.com

When it comes to design – for websites, print media, and user experience – there is good advice and bad advice. Today, we would like to present some of the worst advice ever recorded. If you see some of yourself in these examples, it might be time to seek professional help. For design solutions see great tips from SEO.com
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Page 1: Really Bad design advice

DESIGNReally Bad

Advice

Page 2: Really Bad design advice

Brought to You byd-

Page 3: Really Bad design advice

This is a medley

of expert advice…

Page 4: Really Bad design advice

passed on

by the masters…

Page 5: Really Bad design advice

to define the quintessential

finesse of design.

Page 6: Really Bad design advice

Cue the drumroll...

Page 7: Really Bad design advice

“Always use Microsoft

Word. It is the best design

software available!”

Amazing Chunk of Advice #1

Page 8: Really Bad design advice

Don’t fall for the Photoshop, Illustrator,

and InDesign ruse. This software is named

after a primative manure-packed mud

brick. So un-designer-ish!

Page 9: Really Bad design advice

Found online design apps like Gimp, Pixlr,

and Pic Monkey? Approach with caution.

In fact, stay away! Why? They are FREE!

Which means they can’t be trusted. At

least Microsoft Word costs like $100. That

means it is real and probably better with

design stuff.

Page 10: Really Bad design advice

Plus, Microsoft Word works wonders with

images! …Well, I guess you wouldn’t know

that, based on the title…

Page 11: Really Bad design advice

“Choose exceptional stock

photography.”

Amazing Chunk of Advice #2

Page 12: Really Bad design advice

Here are a few easy tips on how to pick

great stock photography. Just look for

the following trusty traits:

Page 13: Really Bad design advice

Choose models who are gazing off into

the distance. This prompts viewers to ask

themselves, “What were they thinking?”

Page 14: Really Bad design advice

Ah, here is another great example of

gazing off into the distance. Nice. Very

meditative.

Page 15: Really Bad design advice

It is also important to choose images

that have a very clear positive vibe. I’m

loving the enthusiastic thumbs up. This just

screams “positive”.

Page 16: Really Bad design advice

Also, take note of the composition. The

background models are standing in a

natural triangular formation. This ads to

the reality of the shot.

Page 17: Really Bad design advice

Also, the white background is a post-modern

interpretation of the reality of their clean,

steril work environment. On-site photography

just doesn’t achieve the same effect.

Page 18: Really Bad design advice

Next, be sure to choose the classic

handshake photo. This represents unity,

relationships and business all at once. Never

pass up this essential icon of professionalism.

Page 19: Really Bad design advice

An added bonus is that this composition calls

for contemplation about where the rest of the

table went and why those hands appear to

come out of nowhere. Facinating!

Page 20: Really Bad design advice

“Learn to mold images to

fit your needs.”

Amazing Chunk of Advice #3

Page 21: Really Bad design advice

Ok. Back to Microsoft Word. We will be using

this sophisticated software to manipulate

images so that they can work in any situation,

or in this case, an ad. See as follows…

Call today and you will get the original dodecaphonic extrapolator for only $19.95!!!!

Page 22: Really Bad design advice

Have a photo that needs to take up more

horizontal real estate? No problem!

Call today and you will get the original dodecaphonic extrapolator for only $19.95!!!!

Page 23: Really Bad design advice

Voila! An easy fix! All you have to do is

resize the image by dragging one of the

sides without holding the shift key.

Call today and you will get the original dodecaphonic extrapolator for only $19.95!!!!

Page 24: Really Bad design advice

The shift key maintains the proportions of the

image, so we want to make sure to avoid

that. This looks great, don’t you think?

Call today and you will get the original dodecaphonic extrapolator for only $19.95!!!!

Page 25: Really Bad design advice

This process works the other way around

too. If your image is just too big, you can

make it smaller.

Call today and you will get the original dodecaphonic extrapolator for only $19.95!!!!

Page 26: Really Bad design advice

Easy! Now let’s say you need the image to

be bigger than it is originally. That’s an easy

fix too.

Call today and you will get the original dodecaphonic extrapolator for only $19.95!!!!

Page 27: Really Bad design advice

Just drag out the image until it is as big as

you like. If you notice any pixelation, don’t

worry. The 8-bit pixel art look is all the rage

right now.

Call today and you will get the original dodecaphonic extrapolator for only $19.95!!!!

Page 28: Really Bad design advice

Just drag out the image until it is as big as

you like. If you notice any pixelation, don’t

worry. The 8-bit pixel art look is all the rage

right now.

Page 29: Really Bad design advice

“Make chic,

professional-looking

typography.”

Amazing Chunk of Advice #4

Page 30: Really Bad design advice

Always use more than three fonts in your

design. Variety is key here. It keeps things

interesting.

Call today and you will get the original dodecaphonic extrapolator for only $19.95!!!!

Page 31: Really Bad design advice

In fact, make sure to use Papyrus, Comic

Sans, and Hobo. Those are the staple fonts.

Call today and you will get the original dodecaphonic extrapolator for only $19.95!!!!

Page 32: Really Bad design advice

Next add bright-colored gradients…

Call today and you will get the original dodecaphonic extrapolator for only $19.95!!!!

Page 33: Really Bad design advice

Then beveled edges…

Call today and you will get the originalextrapolator for only $19.95!!!!

Page 34: Really Bad design advice

Then add some dark drop shadows. Lovely!

Now your typography looks professional!

Call today and you will get the original dodecaphonicextrapolator for only $19.95!!!!

Page 35: Really Bad design advice

“Make your design POP!”

Amazing Chunk of Advice #5

Page 36: Really Bad design advice

Now it is time to put everything together. A

photo will make this layout really POP!!!

Call today and you will get the originalextrapolator for only $19.95!!!!

Page 37: Really Bad design advice

Perfect! When you put text on top of the

photo you leave room for more stuff!!! Great!

Call today and you will get the originalextrapolator for only $19.95!!!!

Page 38: Really Bad design advice

It is important to fill in that negative space so

we aren’t wasting real estate. Eliminating

gaps in your design will also help the eye

move throughout the piece more smoothly.

Call today and you will get the originalextrapolator for only $19.95!!!!

Page 39: Really Bad design advice

Lovely! Now, we just have to make the

design POP! The best way to do this is

simple. Just make EVERYTHING bigger!!!

Call today and you will get the originalextrapolator for only $19.95!!!!

Fastest, easiest, safest way…

Guarenteed!!!!

As a special bonus, we will alsoinclude a cabbage chopper…

Free!

Page 40: Really Bad design advice

Wow! This is great! Everything really POPs!

This is a design masterpiece!

Call today and you will get the original dodecaphonicextrapolator for only $19.95!!!!Fastest, easiest, safest

way… Guarenteed!!!!

As a special bonus, we will alsoinclude a cabbage chopper…

Free!

Page 41: Really Bad design advice

“Most importantly of all,

always go with your

gut feeling!”

Amazing Chunk of Advice #6

Page 42: Really Bad design advice

When it comes to making design decisions,

there are two fatty tissue organs that

compete for the role of top decision-maker:

Page 43: Really Bad design advice

…The Brain and the Gut.

Brain

&

Gut

Page 44: Really Bad design advice

The brain, which regulates things like facts,

know-how, creativity, principles, analysis,

and comprehension, is overrated when it

comes to making design decisions.

Brain

Page 45: Really Bad design advice

Brain

Design should be instinctive, so there is no

need for educated decisions here.

Page 46: Really Bad design advice

Gut

Instead you need to turn to the fatty

neighbor down south for help. The gut simply

knows best.

Page 47: Really Bad design advice

Gut

The gut is the source of both indigestion and

intuition. Gut feelings may seem whimsical,

nonsensical, bizarre, idiotic or irregular, but you

can rest assured that they are always right.

Page 48: Really Bad design advice

So make sure to dodge brainiac tendencies and

let the gut get things moving. You’ll be sure to

end up with a gut-feeling product.

Brain

&

Gut

Page 49: Really Bad design advice

The End

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