Ah, web design. A delicate balance of art and function, aesthetics and usability. Yet, somewhere along the way, well-meaning clients come in with requests that make designers sigh deeply into their keyboards. If you’ve ever been guilty of asking your designer to “make the logo bigger,” don’t worry—you’re not alone. But let’s have a little fun dissecting some of these classic (and unhelpful) design requests and misconceptions.
1. “Make the Logo Bigger!”
The myth: A bigger logo means more brand recognition, right?
The reality: A website is not a billboard. If your users landed on your site, they already know where they are. What they actually want is content, a great user experience, and to easily find what they came for. A massive logo doesn’t help—it just takes up valuable space and can overwhelm users.
A better approach: Keep branding subtle yet present. Users care more about navigation and content than the size of your logo.
2. “Can You Just Make It Pop?”
The myth: “Pop” is a technical design term, right?
The reality: Asking a designer to “make it pop” is like telling a chef to make food “taste amazing” without giving any details. Should it be brighter? More contrast? More engaging? Less bland?
A better approach: If something feels dull, be specific. Do you want more contrast? A livelier colour scheme? A stronger call to action? Giving clear, constructive feedback helps designers create magic.
3. “We Need More Scrolling Animations!”
The myth: The more moving elements, the cooler the website looks.
The reality: While animations can enhance user experience when used sparingly, too many can make a site feel like an overexcited PowerPoint presentation. Worse, excessive animations slow down the site, which frustrates users and hurts SEO.
A better approach: Prioritise smooth, functional design. Use animations wisely to guide users, not to distract them.
4. “Put Everything Above the Fold!”
The myth: Users don’t scroll, so all important information must be crammed at the top.
The reality: People do scroll. In fact, thanks to mobile browsing, scrolling is second nature. A cluttered above-the-fold section makes a site look chaotic and overwhelms users before they even begin.
A better approach: Use a clean, structured layout that encourages natural scrolling. Guide users instead of bombarding them.
5. “Let’s Add More Social Media Icons Everywhere!”
The myth: If users see our social icons at every turn, they’ll definitely follow us!
The reality: The goal of your website is to keep users engaged—not to send them off to the distraction vortex that is social media. Placing social icons too prominently just increases the chance of users leaving before they take meaningful action (like making a purchase or contacting you).
A better approach: Keep social links in the footer or strategically place them where they add value. The focus should be on keeping users engaged with your content, not Facebook’s.
6. “Let’s Use a Fancy Font!”
The myth: Unique typography makes us stand out.
The reality: If your font is difficult to read, users won’t struggle—they’ll leave. Fancy fonts can also create accessibility issues, especially on mobile devices.
A better approach: Prioritise readability. Stick with professional, clean fonts that enhance rather than hinder the user experience.
7. “Can We Just Copy [Insert Popular Website]?”
The myth: If it works for them, it’ll work for us!
The reality: Every brand, audience, and purpose is different. Copying another website without understanding why it works is like wearing someone else’s prescription glasses—you won’t see clearly, and it might give you a headache.
A better approach: Take inspiration from successful websites, but let your brand’s identity shine. A custom-tailored design will always perform better than a generic copy.
Final Thoughts: Designing for Users, Not Egos
The best websites aren’t designed to satisfy personal preferences or outdated marketing myths—they’re designed with the user in mind. Good design isn’t about making a logo huge, overloading animations, or forcing everything above the fold. It’s about creating an experience that’s seamless, engaging, and easy to navigate.
So next time you work with a web designer, remember: trust the process, think about the user, and—please—let’s keep the logo at a reasonable size. 😉