Learn how to recognize high-quality graphic design, why it matters, and what sets an “okay” project apart from one that’s truly effective.
What is in fact, a good design?
“Like it” or “don’t like it” isn’t enough for design. Personal taste matters, but graphic design has a clear mission: to communicate. And good design isn’t just beautiful — it’s clear, effective, and meaningful.
1. Good design communicates clearly
The first and most important criterion: is clarity. Good design makes you understand right away what it’s about—without forcing you to “guess” or scroll aimlessly.
Simple example:
Imagine two posters for the same event. One has a hard-to-read font, clashing colors, and scattered information. The other is clean, has a clear message, and a logical visual hierarchy. Which one would you choose?
2. It has a purpose and is functional
Design isn’t art meant to hang on a wall. It’s made to serve a purpose: to attract, inform, persuade, or sell.
A package, for example, needs to be visually appealing, but also easy to read and understand on the shelf. A social media banner should stop you from scrolling and deliver the message in 2–3 seconds.
3. It follows the principles of composition
Even if you haven’t studied design, you’ve probably felt at some point that “something’s off” with an image. Most of the time, it comes down to:
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too much cluttered text
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colors that don't look good toghether
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hard to read fonts
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elements lacking alignment or balance
Good design uses space wisely, creates contrast where needed, and maintains a clear visual hierarchy. It’s like an orchestra where all the elements work together—not stepping on each other’s toes.
4. It addresses the right public
Good design “speaks the language” of its audience. A poster for an electronic music festival will look completely different from one for a corporate event—and that’s exactly how it should be.
Colors, fonts, graphic style, tone—they all need to align with the audience. There’s no such thing as universally “good” design, but there is design that’s right for your context and your audience.
5. It’s memorable and full of personality
Good design is the kind that stays with you even after you close the window. Whether it’s a simple yet powerful logo, a unique color combination, or an unexpected creative idea, that special “something” that makes it memorable matters a great deal.
Originality—without compromising clarity—is the cherry on top.
Bonus: How to recognize bad design?
Sometimes, it’s easier to spot what doesn’t work:
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Too many fonts (yes, even Comic Sans shows up sometimes...)
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Clashing, illogical color choices
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Lack of hierarchy — you don’t know where to look
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Information that’s hard to read or decipher
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Design that looks cool but says nothing
Conclusion
Good design is clear, functional, well-structured, audience-appropriate, and memorable. It’s not just about aesthetics—it’s a fine balance between form and purpose.
When you’re wondering if a design is “good,” ask yourself:
“Do I understand the message right away? Does it catch my attention? Will I remember it five minutes later?”
If the answer is “yes,” it’s probably on the right track.
Inspiration sources:
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The Non-Designer’s Design Book – Robin Williams
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Don’t Make Me Think – Steve Krug
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Websites: Behance, AIGA Eye on Design, Dribbble, Creative Bloq
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Practical experience from hundreds of design projects analyzed
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