Over the past 18 months, I’ve had the privilege of teaching typography fundamentals to undergraduate graphic design students. Throughout this time, I’ve observed some recurring mistakes that many beginners tend to make when they’re first introduced to working with type. In this brief article, I’ll walk you through the five most frequent typography slip-ups and offer practical advice on how to steer clear of them.

Let’s get started!

1. Overloading Designs with Too Many Fonts & Styles

One of the first principles I highlight in my classes is the importance of keeping typefaces to a minimum. New designers are often eager to express their creativity and stand out, but without experience, this enthusiasm can backfire. Using several typefaces and a mix of styles often leads to visual clutter, making the design feel chaotic and confusing for the audience. Always remember: design should serve the viewer, not just the designer’s ego.

How to Avoid It:

• Stick to two typefaces. Typically, one for the main text and another for headings or decorative elements. While seasoned designers sometimes break this rule, it’s best for beginners to keep things simple.
  
  
• Consider using a type superfamily. These are typefaces that come with a variety of weights and styles, offering flexibility while maintaining harmony.

2. Relying Too Much on Default Settings

Many newcomers let design software make typographic decisions for them—things like line spacing (leading), letter spacing (tracking), and character spacing (kerning) are left untouched. But typography is all about precision, and every small adjustment matters.

How to Avoid It:

• Be deliberate with your choices. Don’t settle for the default settings. Adjust and fine-tune every aspect of your type to better suit the message and visual tone of your work

3. Skipping Kerning on Large Text

Kerning—the spacing between individual characters—often gets overlooked by beginners, especially when working with big, bold text like headlines. Some may see it as a minor detail, but in reality, poorly kerned type can make even the most beautiful design look amateurish. Attention to this detail reflects a designer’s care and professionalism.

How to Avoid It:

• Practice kerning in small sections. Start by adjusting three letters at a time to make the process less overwhelming and more manageable.

4. Fear of Empty Space

Some new designers mistakenly believe that every inch of a layout needs to be filled, whether with text, images, or decorative elements. This leads to overcrowded designs that feel heavy and unbalanced. Negative space—or white space—is essential in allowing a design to breathe and helping key elements stand out.

How to Avoid It:

• Embrace negative space. It’s not wasted space—it’s an important design tool.
• Experiment by creating two versions of your design: one with more breathing room and one without. Compare them and notice how spacing can dramatically improve clarity and aesthetics.

5. Weak or Nonexistent Typographic Hierarchy

Edward Tufte famously said: “Good design is clear thinking made visible.” One of the clearest signs of thoughtful design is the presence of a strong typographic hierarchy. This means organizing information in a way that guides the viewer’s eye and communicates importance—not just making some text bigger at random.

How to Avoid It:

• Plan your hierarchy before you design. Before picking fonts, colors, or layouts, take time to prioritize the content. Ask yourself: What should the audience notice first? What’s secondary? What’s less critical? Map this out—on paper, in a text document, or directly on your artboard.

Typography is more than just picking pretty fonts , it’s about making information easy to read, visually appealing, and purposeful. Keep these common mistakes in mind as you grow your design skills, and you’ll be well on your way to creating clean, effective, and thoughtful work.