Welcome to Red Pixel Media! In today’s article I’m going to show you 4 1/2 terrible design techniques used by designers all over the world!

#1 on our list is the simple effect of “bevelling” in Adobe Photoshop. It’s a great effect when used with an amount of caution however if over done it will look TERRIBLE!

Do Not Over Bevel

#2 on our list are the top three worst fonts to use in designs. On the top, Papyrus is known as a “cheap” font that may look OK in certain designs, however it’s indisputably terrible reputation may just ruin the concepts of your design. Next is Times New Roman. Simply put, you consider yourself a designer correct? Then why are you using the default text of literally EVERY application? Times is an OK font for text block, but I’m talking about titles, logo’s and more creative designs! The last “worst” font is Comic Sans. Has any one else noticed every single English teacher around uses this text? It drives me crazy every day! Do not under any circumstances use Comic Sans-unless you are writing a comic! It’s called “Comic Sans” and not “Design Sans” for a reason.

Worst Fonts

#3 Drop Shadow’s are used often and there is nothing bad about them… if used correctly of course. In the bottom example the drop shadow is blown completely out of proportion! The shadow is way too far away from the text and ends up creating a duplicate of the text; this makes the reader unable to concentrate on the actual text or the shadow. Always make sure your drop shadow is not too far from your text, and remember to match the text’s shadow to any image shadows. Drop shadows create extra contrast between your text and your background image, making it easier to read… but don’t over do it.

Don't Over Do Drop Shadows

#4 Please-please-please don’t have red/green designs like below! Firstly, it seriously hurts the eyes!

Please Don't - It hurts the eyes.

#4 1/2 is not so much about design, but covers every single terrible thing that can be added to your website. Check it out.

Always feel free to comment on the post! If you’re up to reading some awesome design articles I’d suggest you start here.