Starting out, I used to think design was all about making things “shine”
Lens flare here, glow there…(If you survived that era, you deserve an award. 💀)
But everything changed the day I discovered the truth:
Design is meant to communicate, not decorate.
Good design isn’t about doing gymnastics with your creativity.
It’s about solving real problems, guiding attention, clarifying information, and helping people understand a message quickly and effectively.
The moment you shift from:
“Does this look nice?” to
“Does this communicate clearly to the audience?” Your entire approach changes.
You stop designing for your own ego and start designing with the end user in mind.
That’s when you begin to:
• Choose fonts that actually match the message. You can't be using Comic Sans for a brand that wants to look modern and corporate. That’s visual manslaughter. 😭😂
• Use colors intentionally, not because your spirit whispered “Add purple.” (Sprit told you? As how na? 😂)
• Create a hierarchy that guides the eye from the most important element to the least.
• Remove distractions and anything that confuses the viewer. Because simplicity > chaos.
• Prioritize clarity over complexity.
You don’t need to pour every Pinterest asset into one design. This is not Jollof. 😭
This mindset shift is what moves you from “beginner vibes” to professional level.
Once you start seeing design as a tool for communication, every decision becomes intentional. Every pixel has purpose. And that’s when your work starts to connect, convert, and get taken seriously.
Be honest… Which one did you abuse the most - glow, shadows, or lens flare? 😂
Starting out, I used to think design was all about making things “shine”
Lens flare here, glow there…(If you survived that era, you deserve an award. 💀)
But everything changed the day I discovered the truth:
Design is meant to communicate, not decorate.
Good design isn’t about doing gymnastics with your creativity.
It’s about solving real problems, guiding attention, clarifying information, and helping people understand a message quickly and effectively.
The moment you shift from:
“Does this look nice?” to
“Does this communicate clearly to the audience?” Your entire approach changes.
You stop designing for your own ego and start designing with the end user in mind.
That’s when you begin to:
• Choose fonts that actually match the message. You can't be using Comic Sans for a brand that wants to look modern and corporate. That’s visual manslaughter. 😭😂
• Use colors intentionally, not because your spirit whispered “Add purple.” (Sprit told you? As how na? 😂)
• Create a hierarchy that guides the eye from the most important element to the least.
• Remove distractions and anything that confuses the viewer. Because simplicity > chaos.
• Prioritize clarity over complexity.
You don’t need to pour every Pinterest asset into one design. This is not Jollof. 😭
This mindset shift is what moves you from “beginner vibes” to professional level.
Once you start seeing design as a tool for communication, every decision becomes intentional. Every pixel has purpose. And that’s when your work starts to connect, convert, and get taken seriously.
Be honest… Which one did you abuse the most - glow, shadows, or lens flare? 😂