At Studio Soren, we've seen how small tweaks can have a big impact—and how often businesses fall into the same traps. Here's a look at some of the most common design mistakes businesses make, and how to avoid them.

1. Overcomplicating the Design

It’s tempting to cram as much information as possible into your design. But too many elements—colors, fonts, buttons, or animations—can overwhelm users and dilute your message. Simplicity helps clarity. Good design creates breathing room, guides the eye, and supports decision-making.

Tip: Stick to a minimal colour palette, use 2–3 fonts max, and establish a clear visual hierarchy.

2. Inconsistent Branding

A mismatch of styles, fonts, or tones across your website, social media, and collateral erodes trust. Whether consciously or not, users pick up on inconsistency and interpret it as unprofessional or careless.

Tip: Build a solid brand kit (logo, colours, fonts, imagery styles) and apply it across all touch-points.

3. Prioritising Aesthetics Over Usability

Design isn’t just about looking good—it’s about solving problems. A sleek website that’s confusing to navigate is no better than a cluttered one. Your audience should always be able to find what they’re looking for with ease.

Tip: Prioritise intuitive layouts, legible text, and clear calls to action. Test your design with real users when possible.

4. Poor Use of Typography

Font choice affects readability and emotion. Fonts that are too decorative, too small, or inconsistently sized can create friction. Bad typography often pushes users away before your message can land.

Tip: Choose legible fonts that reflect your brand personality. Use consistent sizing and line spacing to support flow.

5. Ignoring Mobile Responsiveness

A huge portion of users will first encounter your brand on their phone. Yet many businesses still don’t optimise their design for mobile, leading to distorted layouts, tiny buttons, and frustrated users.

Tip: Always design mobile-first or at least ensure your design adapts beautifully across breakpoints.

So… How Do You Know If You’re Making These Mistakes?

That’s where we come in.

At Studio Soren, we offer a Design Audit tailored to your business. Whether you're an early-stage founder or scaling a digital product, our audit reveals where your design is falling short—and how to fix it.

What’s Included in a Studio Soren Design Audit:

• A visual brand review across your channels

• UI/UX analysis of key pages or screens

• Accessibility and readability checks

• Mobile responsiveness testing

• Quick-win recommendations + a roadmap of bigger changes

Let’s Make Your Design Work Harder

It’s an honest, low-commitment way to sharpen your design presence and start delivering more value through design.

📩 Interested in a Design Audit?
Drop us a message or email hello@studiosoren.com to get started.